Maidenhair Fern

[flirty41]

I've had several Maidenhair Fern houseplants, and each one has curled up and died within a few weeks of bringing it home. What am I doing wrong? It's not in a draught, it's not in direct sunlight, I don't let the soil dry out, and I mist spray the leaves. I can't find anything in my gardening books about it. Can any of you green-fingered people help me out please? Thanks.

[Cetti]

Hi there Flirty - Ungrateful little madams, aren't they? I must admit every one I've had has died as well - and looking at the soil they've all been infested with those tiny little flies. It's the difference in temperature between the florists ( or wherever) and our houses, being delicate they don't like the change.
I've been looking at a really good Houseplant book which says the 'Secret of Sucess' for the 'Delta Maidenhair Fern' (Adiantum) is to put it in a terrarium where the temperature is constant for it's fussy needs - or with luck can be used in a hanging basket, where other plants will protect it.

[flirty41]

Thanks for that Cetti. They certainly are hard work! I don't know why I keep bothering, except they are such pretty plants! I'll persevere with this current one and see how long it takes me to kill it off, at which time (and let there be no doubt that time will come!) I will inspect it for creepy crawlies! Maybe I'll get an artificial one next time!

[stephaniel]

I'm glad I'm not the only one, Flirty. I keep buying them and they keep dying on me too!

[flirty41]

I think the growers of Maidenhair ferns must do a roaring trade! :-)

[xyzzyplugh]

maidenhair.. disgusting unless you nurture it ;-)

[Sumarra]

I had the same problem when I brought a small one home. It died so I gave up on it and stuck it outside between my house and the next. After 6 months, through winter, spring rains brought it back. Ever since then it's been happy on my bathroom window sill with east light. The shower steam seems to do it well enough and the window is smoked so there's no direct light. I found this site and apperantly it goes dormant when conditions aren't right: http://www.laspilitas.com/plants/19.htm And the small flies (midges maybe?) that I've seen around them haven't caused any harm that I can tell... Hope this helps.

[flirty41]

Thank you Sumarra. Funny you should mention it, but I stuck mine outside in a sheltered spot, and it's started growing again, having been totally neglected for the past few months! Typical! Before it 'died' the last time I had, in fact, cut it right back twice before, and each time it regrew, so there is some hope! The question is, do I leave it where it is now, or bring it in and risk killing it again? :-D

[Sumarra]

Why not try again? Since it seems to be so talented at recovering from our mistakes, why not? hehe. Just keep trying new spots with the different conditions until you find the right one. Mine has stayed inside since then and it's quite happy now. We've even moved and now it's on the dining room table about 5 feet away from the south facing patio window and it's stalks are growing longer than before.

[badgardener]

I've got exactly the same problem, so rather than throw the plant away I have now cut it back to about 1" above the soil - there are already new leaves showing so I'm hoping this is the answer (although I expect to get a reply telling me that I've killed it good and proper this time!)  Good luck with your other plants.