What Is Ming Fern?
A fern that will tolerate both dry and wet soil, as well as partial shade. It can be trained into a bonsai or just left in the ground to grow naturally.
Where To Buy:
Ming Fern Care & Maintenance:
Ming Ferns grow best in full sun. The soil should be well-drained and the plant can handle a wide range of temperatures, from zones 5 to 11. The soil should be moist but not constantly wet.
Pinch back the fronds after growth has started to signal the plant that it will need to put energy into producing side shoots instead of new leaves. Apply a balanced fertilizer once or twice a month to maintain good growth.
Slow growing, these fern plants are ideal for bonsai starter plants. Easy care and no special requirements make them right at home in any setting, from patio vessel gardens to balconies or deck boxes of all sizes.
If you choose to grow your Ming Fern indoors, place it in indirect sunlight or filtered light with the plant pots placed on trays filled with stones to allow for proper drainage while ensuring that excess water will not collect in saucers under the pot.
And consider using an indoor plant fertilizer to keep your plants healthy and lush.
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Light Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade Water Requirements: Moderate. Well-drained soil Temperature: Zones 5-11 Height: Up to 12″
8 Great Feng Shui Plants for 2013 – The Ming fern is perfect for the west sector of your home or office – near a door that you use frequently, as Feng Shui teaches that it draws in good energy.
It is also good for the north and northwest sectors of your living spaces as it provides luck and success. The fern would look amazing with other houseplants such as the Peace Lily, Spider Plant, and Golden Pothos.
Water Requirements:
Moderate Well-drained soil Temperature: Zones 5-11 Height: Up to 12″
8 Great Feng Shui Plants for 2013 – The Ming fern is perfect for the west sector of your home or office – near a door that you use frequently, as Feng Shui teaches that it draws in good energy.
It is also good for the north and northwest sectors of your living spaces as it provides luck and success. The fern would look amazing with other houseplants such as the Peace Lily, Spider Plant, and Golden Pothos.
Soil Requirements:
Although Ming ferns will tolerate a wide variety of soil types, they prefer a well-drained soil mix that is rich in humus. Use your favorite potting mix or one-third each peat moss, compost, and sand. My favorite potting mix for houseplants includes pine bark mulch added to the basic recipe above.
Temperature and Humidity Requirements:
Ming ferns prefer temperatures above 55º F but will tolerate most indoor temperatures. Use a room thermometer to create the ideal growing conditions – between 65-75 degrees and 10-30% humidity.
Fertilizing Requirements:
Feed your Ming fern every two weeks throughout the growing season with balanced houseplant food. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers as they are not necessary and may cause burning of the leaves or root rot if overused.
Prune Out:
Never prune the fronds that are emerging or growing from the center of the plant, called “pups.” These will produce new growth in spring and summer. Cut back any brown fronds at their base to encourage a lush, full-looking plant – this is especially important during winter months when there is little light available for photosynthesis.
When you see roots emerge from the bottom of your pot, transplant into a larger container filled with potting soil mixed one third peat moss, one-third compost, and one-third sand.
This type of soil gives Ming ferns the best aeration for oxygen exchange in roots, which promotes healthy growth. And ensure that the pot has plenty of drainage holes to prevent root rot from overwatering.
About six months after transplanting is a good time to repot your Ming fern into a larger container – about three inches larger than its current pot size with fresh soil.
At this time also, cut back the pups if they begin showing signs of yellow leaves or brown tips.
Divided annually every two years, pinching off the center pup may force your plant to spread out faster and produce secondary plants (pups). When it reaches 6-8″ tall remove all but one pup and cut the others off at the base. The remaining pup will begin producing smaller pups within two months; remove any that fail to thrive.
Although Ming ferns are hardy plants, you may see a slight decline in growth during late winter or early spring as days become shorter and cooler temperatures trigger them to go into dormancy.
Potting and repotting Requirements:
Ming ferns prefer to live in a pot that is at least 12″ in diameter and 20-24″ tall.
Water Requirements: Moderate to high light with consistent moisture will create the darkest green fronds. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Temperature & Humidity Requirements: Ming Ferns like moderate temperatures around 65-75ºF and 10 -30% humidity. Use a room thermometer to create the ideal growing conditions.
Ming Fern Propagation info:
Even if your plant does not need repotting it can be divided every few years to produce more plants for growing indoors or outdoors.
Use sharp clean scissors to carefully cut the root ball of your existing plant into three segments with each segment containing one or more pups (or “eyes”). Plant these in clean containers filled with potting soil – and remember also to fertilize with a balanced houseplant food.
Some gardeners believe that you should ensure at least one of the pups will “take” by placing it in its own container, to reduce competition with others when replanted.
Ming Fern Problems:
Any problems with your Ming fern are very likely due to incorrect watering and/or lighting. But here is a list of some common Pinestraw Fern problems that you may encounter:
• Brown leaf tips or yellow leaves near the center of your plant usually indicate too little light. Add another light source if needed, particularly if growing indoors (remember to keep it 5-6′ away from other houseplants)
• If you have just repotted your Ming fern and see new leaves that are yellowish-green they may be in shock; leave them alone for several weeks to recover before trimming off any damaged fronds.
• The tips of pups often turn brown or die back in low light situations (indoors), but with a little repotting and care these can be saved.
