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How to Grow and Care for Bougainvillea

Bougainvillaeas are dazzling shrubs of leaves and flowers that are moderately easy to grow and perfect for those who want a vibrant addition to their garden. However, they are sensitive to cold temperatures in the winter months and require full sunlight, so it’s important to keep a close eye on them, especially in the early stages of growth.  Sunlight  Bougainvillaeas love the heat! They require at least six hours of full sunlight a day and can handle even the hottest of summers. If you want your plant to produce an abundance of flowers, make sure it’s sitting in direct sunlight. Oftentimes when bougainvillaeas struggle to bloom, it’s because they aren’t receiving enough light, which will cause the plant to look thin and sparse.  Water Potted bougainvillaeas require regular watering. During the hot months, you can expect to water your plant at least once a week. If temperatures reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, consider watering your flowers twice a week to ensure they’re well hydrate

How to Grow and Care for Macho Ferns

Macho Fern

Macho ferns (Nephrolepis biserrata) are beautiful large ferns that grow well both indoors and outdoors. Native to Florida, these ferns are characterized by bold, bright green fronds that can grow up to 3 to 4 feet long, dwarfing other common fern varieties such as Boston ferns and Kimberly queen ferns. Macho ferns are ideal plants for large outdoor urns or planters, or for that spacious room in your home that needs a splash of green. While they are not particularly delicate ferns, macho ferns do require a specific set of growing conditions in order to thrive.

 Botanical Name Nephrolepis biserrata
Common Name  Macho fern, broad sword fern
Plant Type  Perennial
Mature Size  3-4 ft. tall, 6 ft. wide
Sun Exposure  Partial, shade
Soil Type  Moist but well-draining
Soil pH  Acidic
Bloom Time  N/A
Flower Color  N/A
Hardiness Zones  9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Native Area  North America

Macho Fern Care

If you are familiar with caring for other types of ferns, caring for the macho fern is not much different. Macho ferns thrive in warm, shady conditions with consistent moisture and are typically found growing naturally near swamps and other wet sites throughout the Southern United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. This bold fern grows nicely both indoors and outdoors and is generally a low-fuss plant that is easy to maintain. Although for those who tend to under-water their plants, the macho fern probably is not for you!  

Light

When grown outdoors, macho ferns should be placed in a shady or partly shaded location. They are frequently grown in large planters under covered porches or in the shade of an outdoor patio. Avoid placing these ferns in spots that receive direct sunlight throughout the day, especially the intense afternoon sun, as the delicate fronds can get easily burnt. 

Indoors, macho ferns do best in medium to bright indirect light, but can also tolerate low light locations. Use a sheer curtain to diffuse harsh sunlight and protect your macho fern from any direct sunlight in your home. 

Soil

Macho ferns require moist but well-draining soil that is airy, rich in organic matter, and slightly acidic. These ferns are epiphytic, so avoiding heavy soil that will compact around the roots of the plant is extremely important. Consider that macho ferns are often found growing natively near wetlands and swamps when you are picking out the soil for your fern. A mixture of regular potting soil, peat moss or coco coir, perlite, and orchid bark is a good homemade soil mix for macho ferns. 

Water

Ensure that the soil around your macho fern stays consistently moist, but not wet. Macho ferns are not drought tolerant so the soil should never be allowed to dry out completely. When grown indoors, macho ferns may need to be watered once or twice a week depending on the temperature.

Temperature and Humidity

Macho ferns can grow year-round in USDA zones 9a through 10b, and they enjoy warm, humid conditions. These ferns can be found growing natively in Florida, Louisiana, and Hawaii where the temperature and humidity conditions are ideal. As with many ferns, macho ferns are not frost-tolerant and will need to be moved indoors or grown as a houseplant in regions that experience cold winters. 

Fertilizer

Young plants require frequent fertilization and should be fertilized with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer once every 6 weeks throughout the spring and summer. Mature and established macho ferns don’t need to be fertilized as often, and do well with an application of balanced, all-purpose fertilizer once every 6 months.

Propagating Macho Ferns

Healthy, mature macho ferns are best propagated by division. To divide a macho fern, dig up the plant to expose the rhizomes and roots. Choose a section of the rhizomes and separate them from the main plant. Depending on the rhizome system, you may need to use a sharp knife to cut through some of the rhizomes. Then, plant the separated clumps in separate containers, or separate locations in your garden, and water thoroughly. 

Potting and Repotting Macho Ferns

If you are growing your macho fern in a pot or container, you should be prepared to repot this fern every 1-2 years depending on its growth rate. Macho ferns can tolerate being moderately root bound, but appreciate regular repotting to provide them with extra space on a regular basis. Only move up one pot size every time that you repot your macho fern, and be careful not to break too many of the delicate roots during repotting.

Overwintering

Macho ferns can grow outdoors year-round in USDA zones 9a through 10b, but otherwise will need to be overwintered indoors. Any time you are bringing outdoor plants indoors you will want to apply a precautionary pest treatment to avoid bringing pests indoors. If possible, it is also a good idea to quarantine the plant for at least 1-2 weeks in an isolated room so that if pests are present they do not spread to any of your other indoor plants.

Common Pests

Ferns grown outdoors are more likely to develop pests or diseases than ferns grown indoors, however, macho ferns are generally pest and disease-free plants. Keep an eye out for some common pests such as mealybugs, scale, aphids, and fern mites. Treat affected plants with rubbing alcohol or insecticide to clear up any infestations.

HOW TO GROW AND CARE FOR MACHO FERNS


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