Bird’s Nest Fern Care Australia Ultimate Guide
Bird’s Nest Fern Care Australia: Birds nest fern makes a great house plant. They are semi-slow growers, green and can tolerate lower light conditions. Commonly found in rainforests, the bird’s nest Fern is a fast-growing plant.
They are great for indoor gardening because of their intricate leaves and the fact that they require very little care. Looking for a new houseplant to grow? This article will show you how to care for, grow and maintain the bird’s nest Fern.
What is Bird’s Nest Fern?
Asplenium Nidus, also known as the bird’s nest Fern, is a commonly cultivated plant that can be found in tropical rainforests in Asia, Australia and Madagascar.
The bird’s nest fern, like most ferns, has long, trailing stems and bright, evergreen foliage. This cultivar is characterized by a wide range of spoon-shaped fronds, which extend from a central rosette. It often has the appearance of a nest.
An epiphyte is a bird’s nest Fern that grows on other trees, especially palm trees. It can be grown in partial or complete shade and is very adaptable. This plant is also easy to grow, making it a great choice for beginners. However, you need to make sure that your plants get enough water.
Can Bird’s Nest Fern be used indoors?
Ferns make a great choice for indoor spaces. Bird’s Nest Ferns are a popular choice because they’re a beautiful, leafy, and potted plant that can adapt to low light conditions.
This plant is naturally accustomed to growing under the canopy of other trees so it won’t require much sunlight.
Bird’s nest ferns are very popular because they are safe for cats, dogs and humans. This plant can be used in container gardening, attached to planks or on a vertical wall.
This cultivar can grow up to 1.5m in length outdoors. This plant will grow slower indoors, and can only grow to 60 cm depending on the environment.
These are the most well-known indoor varieties:
- “Crispy wave” – With long, sword-shaped foliage.
- “Osaka – With narrow, rippled foliage.
- “Antiquum“, – With wavy leaves edges.
- Victoria – With tongue-shaped leaves.
How do you grow a bird’s nest plant?
Most garden centres and nurseries have bird’s nest plants. You can also grow new plants using spores.
Propagating Birds Nest Fern
Spore propagation is the best. However, it will take patience and care to master.
To obtain spores you need to take a mature, healthy leaf from an established plant. On the leaf’s underside, you will notice bubble-like brown formations. These are the spores. To extract them, you will need to wait.
Place the mature leaf in a bag. The bag should be kept in a warm place.
- The spores will begin to fall into the bag after a few days.
- Keep the spores moistened and warm under a plastic or glass dome. Germination takes approximately 2 weeks.
- Place the spores under the glass, and then place them on a moist, sterilized peat mixture.
The division is another great way to grow smaller fern plants. To create two or three smaller segments, simply shake the roots out of the soil. To root, you can plant the roots in a new potting mix.
What soil is best for birds nest Fern?
The bird’s nest fern, being an epiphyte isn’t too picky. It is important to choose a medium that drains well and has equal amounts of peat or sphagnum moss.
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How many suns does Asplenium Nidus Need?
Asplenium Nidus can be grown in partial or full shade. It is best to locate it near an east- or north-facing window. This will allow for some morning sun or indirect light.
It is not advised to use full sun because it can scorch your leaves and cause soil to dry too quickly.
Bird’s Nest Fern Care Australia
These plants thrive in high humidity, warmth, and plenty of moisture. It is important to ensure that your soil does not dry out and that you water it as consistently as possible.
Increase your humidity by placing your pot on top of a tray of pebbles or a humidifier.
Avoid putting water directly into the centre of the rosette when watering. A centre is often a place where moisture can’t evaporate, which can lead to mould and other diseases.
During the growing season (spring/summer), a balanced fertilizer can also be added to the watering mixture. It is important to select a water-soluble fertilizer and to withhold fertilization in the winter months.
Take extreme care when handling bird’s nest ferns. Because the fronds are fragile, it is a good idea for your bird’s nest fern to be kept in one place for as long as possible.
How often should you re-pot?
Birds nest ferns thrive in smaller pots so you won’t have to repot. Repotting can be done every 2 to 3 years to replenish the soil.
Re-potting ferns that have become too large is a good idea. It will stop foliage growth if the roots get too tight in the pot. It can take a very long time depending on what pot you use.
Repotting is as easy as:
- The roots should be shaken loose from the soil.
- Place the root ball in the new pot by making a hole with a rich, fresh potting mix.
- Backfill with soil
- Rooting is a time when you must be careful not to waterlog your soil.
Problems, Pests, & Diseases
These plants are not susceptible to pests, but they can have minor issues with other houseplant problems, like scale or mealybugs.
These issues can be treated with natural remedies. The ferns are very sensitive to chemicals and could be killed by them. You might consider natural insecticide oil or neem.
Some other common issues are:
- Pale green leaves. This is often a result of dry soil and underwatering. Increase the frequency with which you water your ferns to quench their thirst.
- Yellowing Lower Leaves. Yellowing lower leaves can be a sign that your potting mix is too wet or you are getting too much sunlight. Reduce water usage or move it to a different spot.
- Brown Crispy Leaves The high humidity or moisture can cause crisp leaves. You can move your plant to a lighter place and reduce the amount of water. Re-potting is an option if the soil is very wet.
Here are some final tips for growing birds nest ferns
- Birds nest Ferns can grow quite large when they are grown outside. This can make a wonderful accent piece to taller trees.
- It is possible to attach your fern on a board or log, but if it grows too large, it will need re-potted. Regular misting is an excellent way to keep moisture in ferns that are growing on logs.
- Ferns don’t require much pruning. You can prune ferns to remove any damaged leaves or to maintain their size.
- Caterpillars can be a problem if they are found in gardens. You should only use a natural treatment.
- Sometimes, fern leaves from a bird’s nest can feel sticky. Honeydew is caused by scale infestation.
This delightful plant can be grown in a variety of spots. These tips and tricks will ensure that you have many happy-growing birds nest fern plants.
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