Question
fern
Hey!
I recently put my mums, tropical hibiscus and my ferns outside in full sun after being in a low lit room through the winter. They still had some leaves on them that were green and yellow. I watered them well after taking them outside. (I only watered them about three times over the winter.) About 3 days after I put them out, They were all brown. I researched it and found that they must be sunburned and in shock. I put them in a more shaded area and watered them again. Have I killed the plants? Is there any hope? Any help would be great!
FYI...I was told my ferns would come back each year..I dont know what kind they are but the fronds are larger than Boston Ferns and they can be in the sun or shade.They grow very big! I attached a photo. Can you identify it?
Thanks in advance!
Jamie
Mississippi
AnswerHey right back at you, Jamie!
From my personal experience, tropical hibiscus and ferns are very forgiving plants. I have had tropical hibiscus that were quite burned, and ferns I thought were dead, or seemed to disappear completely only to have them spring back to life in fall (particularly athyrium filix femina, or Lady fern.) Water them, but not too much. The temptation is to make up for lost time, but try to water them only every three days.
And your mums should be fine. As perennials, they lose their top growth to the frost, go to sleep for the winter, and wake up with the warm temperatures of the spring. Next year, you can help them even more (but you don抰 have to). When they get frosted in fall, cut them to the ground and apply mulch (chopped leaves and pine needle are great). In spring when we are past the frosty stage, pull the mulch back and they will grow quickly.
I'm still trying to figure out your fern. I have some questions.
How big is it?
Does it spread quickly?
The answers will narrow it down. And a bigger pic would be great, since it reproduced quite small.
Thanks for writing. I'm still thinking!
Donna
