What is Boston Fern?
Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a popular foliage plant with feathery, bright green fronds and an attractive shape. Native to tropical areas of Central America, it can typically be found in humid climates as a houseplant. It’s known for being easy to care for, but propagating Boston fern can prove challenging if you don’t know the proper technique.
How To Propagate Boston Fern: Step-by-Step Guide
Propagating your own plants from cuttings or division is a fun and rewarding experience that anyone can do with some patience and care. Here are simple step-by-step instructions on how to propagate Boston fern so that you can enjoy its beauty in multiple locations around your home:
1. Start by carefully removing the plant from its container or pot without damaging the roots too much. If there are any dead or yellowed leaves at the base of the stem, remove them before proceeding with propagation.
2. Using scissors or secateurs, take two to four healthy terminal shoots from near the center of the plant – these are usually about 7–10 inches long – then rinse off any soil residue under running water and allow them to dry out completely on paper towels for 10–15 minutes before moving onto the next step.
3. Next up you need to find a suitable propagation medium; peat moss retains moisture well while still providing good drainage which makes it ideal for this purpose but other options such as coco coir could also be used instead if necessary (be sure not to use regular potting mix as this will become too dense when wet).
4. Place each cutting into their own small container filled with moistened peat moss then lightly tamp down around them so they stay upright and finally cover each one loosely with plastic wrap until root growth begins – this should take between three weeks depending on environmental conditions like temperature & humidity levels etc…
5 Transplanting newly rooted cuttings should preferably be done during warm weather months since these plants prefer warm temperatures; however aftercare remains largely unchanged regardless of season – keep soil moist at all times but never soggy & mist regularly using room temperature water once every two days until established in their new location (which may take anywhere between 6–8 weeks).
Conclusion
With some time, patience and practice anybody can learn how to propagate Boston fern! This process is especially helpful if yours has grown too large quantities of clippings available free online help get started right away – plus it’s eco friendly way avoiding unnecessary purchases of single use containers etc… So why not give it try yourself today?
