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Asparagus ferns are evergreen ornamental plants. They are commonly called lace ferns or climate asparagus.
It is a climbing plant of the genus Asparagus. The plant is native to South Africa.
Although called a fern, the plant is not a true fern, so named because its leaves look like a fern. The botanical name is setaceous asparagus†
The plant is easy to grow, fast growing and very low maintenance. These ferns are quite drought tolerant and hardy and can easily survive harsh conditions.
Asparagus ferns set long upright stems. The stems are covered with a few sharp, hardened spines in the axils.
Its prickly, fern-like leaves give it a bushy, bushy and thick appearance. They can also bear small flowers and berries if grown properly.
These berries are only for visual fascination and seeds and not for consumption. They add a touch of greenery when planted indoors.
For indoors, plants are in baskets and tubs. In warmer regions the vegetation can be effectively adapted outdoors, where it grows like a vine and can even become invasive.
Contents
How to grow asparagus fern from tubers?
Asparagus ferns propagate from tuberous roots that grow just below the topsoil.
They can be grown by separating and replanting these tubers. This is the easiest and most effective way to get more of these ferns.
Follow these steps to grow asparagus fern from tubers:
1) Dig up the tubers
Take a well-developed asparagus fern with a good root system.
Dig a wide opening about 2 inches around the plant with your hand or a shovel. Push the shovel under the plant and lift the tubers.
2) Water the tubers
Water and soak the tubers before planting. This speeds up their growth process.
3) Divide the tubers
The root and tuber system can be propagated and can be cut or divided into small pieces, depending on the size of the pot. Below we will see how to divide the tubers.
4) Plant the tubers:
Plant the tubers in peaty soil. Water the soil thoroughly, then drain the excess soil.
Tubers need moist conditions to germinate well.
How to Divide Asparagus Fern†
Asparagus fern plants can be easily divided as these plants grow in clusters.
Propagation is done by separating all the crucial parts of the plants, including the leaves, stem, and root.
This stimulates the formation of a healthy new plant and prevents root crowding. It is also useful to prevent the plant from getting tangled in the pot.
The most suitable time to divide the asparagus fern plant is from early spring to late summer. Therefore, the period from March to August is ideal for this.
During this period, the roots and stems of the plant are strict and strong, able to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Follow these steps to divide asparagus fern:
1) The Fern. To pay
First, insulate the soil of a potted asparagus fern. Carefully remove the plant from the pot or compartment it is in.
Then carefully reveal the roots by placing the plant under running water. Remove large soil particles by hand without damaging the delicate roots.
2) Divide the fern
Cut the fern in half from the leaves to the tubers. This way you have two separate ferns.
3) Containerization
Place the halves in separate pots containing a mixture of coconut and earthworms.
Press the soil from above and completely cover the roots and tubers. Water and let the plant grow.
If you like this article, check it out. How to save a dying fern.
How to propagate asparagus fern from seed?
Asparagus ferns are very easy to grow at home when you use the seeds from the berries.
They do not grow from cuttings or twigs like many other normal foliage plants.
These seeds can form in any season. Asparagus fern berries appear after their white flowers drop.
Common asparagus ferns bloom in fall or winter, while foxtail ferns germinate in early to early summer.
The small, round berries start out light green and ripen to a beautiful red color when ready. These berries usually grow on asparagus ferns grown outdoors.
They almost never grow on ferns placed indoors. Seeds can be pretreated and sown or stored in an airtight/water container in a cooler for sowing later.
Follow these steps to grow your fern from seed:
1) Pick the berries and remove the seeds.
Pick the berries as soon as they have taken on an even red hue and the skin appears slightly wrinkled.
Next, remove the small, dark seeds from the ripe asparagus fern berries.
Simply crush the berries until the seeds come out. Look at the seeds and discard them with obvious signs of damage.
2) Soak the seeds
Soak the seeds in a cup of warm water for 24 hours before planting. This allows the seeds to absorb water and grow more efficiently.
3) Plant the seeds
Plant the seeds in 3-inch plastic pots filled with a slightly acidic mixture, such as peat moss mix.
Soak the soil before filling the pots, leaving the top inch of the pot unfilled.
Squeeze some asparagus plant seeds outside of the potting mix.
Cover them with a thin layer of soil so that they are gently covered and at the same time visible from above.
Seeds do not need basal heat to grow. Keep the mixture slightly moist. These seeds take between three weeks and a month to germinate.
Requirements for Growing Asparagus Fern:
1) sunlight
Asparagus ferns grow well in good light but without direct exposure. Direct, hot daylight can scorch and scorch the leaves.
Instead, due to the lack of light, they will look yellow or droopy.
They thrive in temperatures ranging from 70° to 75° F during the day and 10 degrees lower at night. Large changes in temperature can cause leaf drop.
If your plant has trouble finding light, try East to help control lighting.
2) down
They need rich, light, slightly acidic soil and it should also be well-drained. Peaty soil provides these ideal conditions.
These ferns can easily withstand short periods of dry season if they ever grow.
3) Watering
Asparagus ferns do best if they get plenty of water, especially if they are growing well.
In low light, the plant needs less water, especially in the cold months. They like higher humidity and regular wetting.
If you need help watering your plant, try this Automatic drip irrigation kit.
4) Fertilizer
In the hot season, the plant needs constant care. The plant needs a liquid fertilizer or an all-purpose plant food diluted halfway.
Try this easy to use fertilizer to give your plant a boost.
You may also like: How to make homemade fern for ferns
Proper Asparagus Fern Care:
Asparagus is not a low maintenance plant, but it still needs a loving hand. The following steps should be taken to maintain ferns:
1) cutting
Pruning removes old yellow fronds and keeps the fern fresh and new.
2) Replant the fern
Since root tubers can grow quickly, asparagus ferns can be quickly tied to the pot. To avoid this, repot your plant once every one to two months.
Caution is advised when handling these plants. Plants have short thorns that can hurt your fingers, so handle them with gloves.
They make excellent container or vase plants.
3) Growth restriction
They are fairly hardy plants and resistant to pests and insects. They are called weeds in some areas such as Queensland etc. so their growth should be restricted to a small area.
Uncontrolled growth can lead to the uprooting of neighboring plants.
final thoughts
Asparagus ferns are beautiful plants that are very easy to propagate from bulbs and grow quickly by following the simple steps above.
They need regular watering once they start growing. The only caveat is that they can invade other plants in your garden.
It is therefore best to plant them in a separate pot and grow them indoors.
It is poisonous to pets and does not like to be touched very much. You can decorate your windowsills with the asparagus fern that your animals cannot reach.
Before you go, here are some more related articles that I encourage you to read below to solve more of your gardening problems:
What Are the Benefits of a Boston Fern?
How to Stop Boston Fern Leaf Curling?
Why does your fern smell like fish and how to fix it?
Can I grow ferns only in water?
What is the ideal humidity for a Boston fern?
About the Author:
Saad Anzar
Saad is an avid gardener and a great lover of plants, animals, photography and people. Currently, his focus is on indoor plant photography and captioning beautiful landscapes. Write and rewrite feature articles on nature and science.