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In the best of circumstances, Boston Ferns are very hard to keep indoors. For many years, I tried wintering them over inside, and only once did I make it through the winter without giving up. They make such a mess that I usually just pitch them after awhile.
I think most homes are too dry in the winter for them to be happy. I agree with liv4horses. You must water thoroughly, about 1x a week, and if you can provide with some humidity, like in a bathroom, it will help.
I really needed to hear this today. I've been dying to bring my huge one in from the porch to a south-east facing sun room but have been worrying about mess and humidity. I've trimmed it back and it honestly doesn't look that great. Then I started feeling (of all things!!) guilty about it going to the compost heap. So I think you've helped me with my decision. Not to mention getting the ceiling hook properly in there is proving a bit tricky! Thanks
I never had any luck growing ferns inside. They would become chronically dry and unhappy. I would advocate trying the tray of pebbles mentioned, if watering and humidity are indeed the issue.
My preference is for very low care houseplants. I have many and enjoy them all without much fussing. The ones I have are golden pothos, peace lilies, and snake plants. They all do great indoors and clean the air well. Also have a couple dracaena and they do need the trays of pebbles containing water to stay happy. They others get water only when I can feel the top of the soil is dry or they indicate they need watering because they are lightweight.
It's hard to tell from your pictures, but I'm fairly certain that you either have spider mites or mealybugs infesting your plant. It does not look at all healthy to me in any of the pictures you posted and has nothing to do with the way you are watering it.
I am basing my opinion on the white substance that is showing up on the fronds you posted - the ones that are still green. There should not be any white cottony substance on them. I can see it even in that first picture that you said "isn't it healthy." No, it's sick!
Take a snip of it and place it in a plastic bag to take to and show at your local garden center, where they can confirm my diagnosis. Put it in a sealed plastic bag so that you don't infect the plants at the garden center when you take it in for confirmation.
And what are those large white clumps on the soil in your first picture? Unless you went overboard with vermiculite when you planted it, I suspect that they are also part of the disease that is killing your plant.
I can help you with your watering issues, but that will not help this plant. If I were you, I would toss it before it spreads to any other plants you might have. You can treat the infestation, but that's probably going to be a waste of time and money.
no its not spider mites may be mealybugs , but anyway there is no honey on leaves or stems , but I noticed some cotton on other stems and leaves (the big ones )
the white climbs are perlite
about discarding the plant ,I just need to get my hands on the problem so it doesn't get repeated in the future
I never had any luck growing ferns inside. They would become chronically dry and unhappy. I would advocate trying the tray of pebbles mentioned, if watering and humidity are indeed the issue.
My preference is for very low care houseplants. I have many and enjoy them all without much fussing. The ones I have are golden pothos, peace lilies, and snake plants. They all do great indoors and clean the air well. Also have a couple dracaena and they do need the trays of pebbles containing water to stay happy. They others get water only when I can feel the top of the soil is dry or they indicate they need watering because they are lightweight.
I hope you don't face any of my problems , it's frustrating and full of guilt feelings for you see plants die in silence and you don't know how to help
I hope you don't face any of my problems , it's frustrating and full of guilt feelings for you see plants die in silence and you don't know how to help
Let's all hold hands in a circle, and throw the tender plants, that are only meant to look pretty all summer, into the compost heap. Same thing for the palms and other tropical that only look good for a while, and then they should be pitched for fresh ones. That's why they only cost a few bucks at the DIY store.
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