In the past we had a discussion about a little fern. I had one and as we talked I realized mine hadn't changed for the whole time I had it. I decided to do something about it. So I tucked it into the gravel on the greenhouse bench as much as i could. the gravel went up to the top of the little pot. That's all I did. I didn't change pots or soil, or move it or any other plant that stood by it. Within a few weeks things started to happen. It now has a new branch off the main stem and a new little thingie shooting out from the base. it has gotten allot bigger overall. I am very pleased with it. Such a small thing to do, to change a plant in a dramatic way. It's amazing.
I was thinking that it was drying out before the next watering time. I know roots head toward water so to nestle the whole pot, even if it's plastic, into the gravel. That would allow it to stay moist longer. I guess that is what it needed because it changed in a week or 2 and has been changing ever since. That side of the greenhouse automatically waters and I didn't want to change the whole side. I just wanted to keep a little more water on that one plant. For your info, many times when I start cuttings, I place them in a very large pot that lets say my Bunya bunya or Fig tree. The moisture goes into the starter pot and right through to the large pot. The roots are drawn toward the bottom. So it is not uncommon for large pots to have 6 or 8 small pots in and around the base of a tree for months.
Cute little tassel fern very interesting that you have it in gravel,mine grow very well in half well draining potting mix and road metal, it is the rock mineral which they seem to like and drains well. To propagate,bend a small but mature branch so it touches the potting mix and place a small stone on top of the branch so it holds it firmly in place...takes ages but it will make new roots and then can be cut from the mother plant...YAY a brandnew baby. Another way which I have tried and had good results is to have another pot with correct mix close by and rest the branch in that pot with the stone holding it firm again when it makes roots it already has its on pot.Takes ages but satisfaction is great. Sometimes I give them a weak solution of fish emulsion...keeps that lovely green colour and they seem to like it like you know already they like to be moist,spagnum moss helps around the top of the basket too. Pot with mother plant sitting on top of basket waiting for branch to take root. ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden )
Yup, You're the one. I just knew I talked to someone here about this fern. I do love this fern. My plant is not potted in gravel, it's never been re-potted. I have gravel on my benches in the greenhouse and I nestled it down into the gravel. That helped keep it a little more moist. Glad to know how to propagate it. I will do that today.
