Wave Ferns are a popular type of plant that is known for their unique and visually appealing appearance. Wave ferns grow well in low-lit areas and require little water to thrive. The most difficult part of taking care of wave ferns is maintaining their crispy appearance – but it’s not impossible! In this blog post, we will discuss the best ways to keep your wave ferns looking good.
Soil
Wave ferns need well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. They can be planted in either potting soil or your garden do, although it is important to note that the finer-textured soils are more likely to become waterlogged and compacted which will lead to root rot for your waves! You should use about one foot of mulch around any container plants as this will help prevent such problems from occurring.
A mixture of sand, perlite, peat moss, and compost works best for wave ferns; however, you may also want to add some fertilizer (like an all-purpose type) if you plan on using bagged plant mix because they tend not to have enough nutrients like phosphorus and potassium.
Watering Wave Ferns
When watering Wave Ferns, do not let the soil dry out completely between waterings. They should be watered with a fine mist or in a tray of water no more than once every other day. You could also use an automatic drip system to ensure they receive enough moisture and nutrients for healthy growth.
Light Requirements
These types of ferns are sensitive to light and can be damaged by it. However, they need sunlight for energy so a compromise needs to be reached. Direct sun is not healthy for the plant so place them in filtered or indirect sunlight during the day and only direct light at night when it’s dark outside. They will also do best with bright fluorescent lights if you have no other option available to provide them right now.
Temperature
Wave ferns are from moist, tropical forests. They prefer temperatures in the mid-70’s with a humidity level of around 75%. If your wave fern is not able to get warm enough and humid for an extended period of time it may result in leaf wilting or browning on the edges. Make sure that you provide sufficient light so that they can photosynthesize energy when needed!
Humidity
This plant is typically found along the coast in humid climates. Wave Fern Care involves keeping them at about a 50% humidity level, which is lower than most house plants. To do this you have to make sure they stay moist and don’t dry out completely because high levels of moisture will kill your plant.
One way to keep them from drying out is by spraying them with water every day instead of just once or twice per week. Another way is putting enough pebbles under their pot so that it sits low into the gravel below – if there’s too much air space between the pot and the bottom then evaporating water won’t be absorbed as quickly and may cause your wave fern to dehydrate faster than necessary before you can react.
Wet moss around the roots of your wave fern is also a good way to maintain moisture without having to spray or mist it with water every day, though this is more likely if you have a larger number of these plants in one area – that’s because they will give off evaporating humidity and dampen each other, so to speak.
The best way to keep your wave ferns crispy and not wilted is by maintaining proper moisture levels through misting, spraying, or adding pebbles under the pot (along with wet moss around the roots).
Remember that many plants need more water in hotter climates than they do in cooler ones – a little trial and error might be necessary to find the perfect balance for your wave ferns.
Fertilization
Wave Ferns are not heavy feeders so they will only need fertilizing once a month. If you notice that your Fern is starting to turn brown, then it may be time to start adding liquid fertilizer into the water.
We recommend using Flourish Excel which can be purchased from most fish stores and pet shops. Be careful when handling this product as it can cause irritation or burning if inhaled or comes in contact with skin but don’t worry – if either happens we recommend washing off immediately and rinse under cool water for at least 20 minutes before seeing a doctor.
The best way to tell how well your plant is doing, aside from looking for signs of browning, is to take a look at the roots. If they are dry or pale in color then it may be time for some water and fertilizer and if there is a lot of brown on them then chances are good that your plant needs more light.
It’s always best to make sure you have enough Wave Ferns so as not to end up with too many unhealthy plants but don’t worry, this fern doesn’t need much care aside from regular fertilization once every month or two. You’ll know when it’s time because usually by that point it will show signs like brown leaves, stiff green blades which makes pulling off old fronds easy.
Pruning
Some mistletoe ferns and other wave ferns have an arching, cascading habit. These plants can be trimmed for height control by pinching off the growing tip with fingers or scissors. Be sure to cut flush against a leaf node (a joint where leaves sprout) when using shears; otherwise, the plant may die back from too much stress on that area of growth.
Prune after flowering is finished but before new scales are visible in early spring. Leaves will grow out again at nodes all along the stem if pruning was done correctly, so it’s easy to maintain this type of Wave Fern care year-round!
Propagation
Wave ferns can be propagated by dividing the plant into smaller sections. This is a surefire way to keep them from dying off but it does take time and patience.
The plants need an uninterrupted period of four weeks before they are ready for potting up in order to heal properly, so make sure that you have enough space ahead of time.
Toxicity of Wave Ferns
This plant is not toxic to humans and animals. Some people may be sensitive to the sap of these plants, so it is important to keep them away from where children or any member who might touch or lick things they shouldn’t get into contact with.
The seedlings can develop a taste for human skin in some cases and will grow towards it when placed near a person’s arm or leg. It is advisable to wear gloves while handling wave ferns if you have this sensitivity issue since the plant has no other way of getting nutrients than by trying to feed on your hair follicles like an insect does its prey. In general, there should be plenty of freshwater given as well as fertilization for the ferns to stay healthy.
Repotting
A wave fern is a crawling plant that requires minimal care. These types of plants can be found in most nurseries, but if you want to try your hand at growing them yourself, they are not difficult to grow and don’t need any special conditions. Wave ferns do best when planted in moist soil with high-quality orchid bark, but they can also be grown in a pot of sphagnum moss.
When it comes to repotting your wave ferns every five years or so, you should do this when the plant becomes too large for its current container. To prepare for repotting, remove any dead roots and prune about 15% of the plant’s total leaves.
Next, place a mix of potting soil and orchid bark in your container. Fill the container with enough substrate to cover about three-quarters of the root ball, but not so much that it is buried.
Finally, replace any completely wilted foliage before you water and position the plant in the desired location. If you are planting your wave fern outdoors, make sure it is placed in a shady spot and that it receives plenty of water to prevent wilting.
Growth of the Wave Fern
They can be grown in water, soil, or air. They are not picky eaters and will grow quickly with a little love from their environment.
To do this, make sure that the water in your vase stays clean and clear. It should be changed every two days or so with fresh tap water (if available). The soil has to stay moist but not soaking wet at all times. If grown in soil, mist the aquatic plant every couple of days with clean water.
If your wave fern starts to turn slimy, it needs more light and less moisture. The easiest way to fix this is by moving the pot closer to a window in full sunlight. If you don’t have one nearby, try opening blinds or windows on an east-facing wall to get more sunlight.
If the plant has been sitting in a room without any light, it will need six weeks of bright exposure before it’s healthy again and ready for misting. If you want your wave ferns to stay crispy (rather than slimy) then make sure that they are always moist but not soaking wet.
Best Location For Your Crispy Wave Ferns
Wave Ferns thrive in a lot of different environments. They are best placed in areas that do not have direct contact with water and will typically grow nicely near an open window or on the shaded side of your home.
The ideal location for crispy Wave Ferns is to place them about six inches below the surface of the soil, so they can receive ample sunlight while still being sheltered from any moisture getting too close to their delicate leaves. You may also want to consider adding stones around your plants as well. This helps prevent insects like snails and slugs from ruining these beautiful foliage plants by eating away at them!
Avoid putting Crispy Wave Ferns next to windows because its unprotected environment might cause pests such as houseflies or ants to carry harmful diseases and ruin the experience.
Plant Crispy Wave Ferns in soil that is well-drained, yet moist at all times – this will ensure your plant thrives! You may also want to fertilize once a month with organic fertilizer or add compost when needed.
Pest and Disease Control
This type of Fern is not often attacked by pests and diseases, but when they do it can be difficult to find the cause. We recommend inspecting for any of these common problems with your Wave Fern:
- Malnutrition or over-feeding (causes browning)
- Excessive humidity levels
- Low light conditions
Some issues may require immediate intervention while others can wait until there is another good opportunity to intervene such as during periods of dormancy or relocation. It’s much better to consult with someone who knows what he/she is doing to ensure your Wave Ferns will be safe and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions For Wave Ferns
Q: How often should I water my wave fern?
A: The amount of moisture in your soil will help you determine the frequency with which you need to water. If it’s dry, then once a week is sufficient. But if it feels moist when you poke at it, then wait two weeks before watering again.
In any case, don’t saturate the soil or allow standing water to accumulate under your plant; this can lead to root rot and other health problems for your plants–not just the Wave Fern!
And remember that over-watering anything encourages fungal growth that could be harmful to all types of plants so only add enough water until the topmost layer gets wet during each watering session (for a pot, this is about an inch or two of water).
Q: How do I keep my plants alive during winter?
A: It can be difficult to care for your Wave Ferns when the weather gets cold. The best way to get them through the winter months is by bringing them inside and placing them near a window where they’ll receive some natural light but not too much direct sunlight which might fry their leaves.
You may need to pull off most of the soil (though don’t remove it all!) in order to make room for watering sessions that should happen less often than usual–about once every three weeks instead of once per week. And you’ll have to mist more frequently as well! Remember also that they do best in temperatures that are around 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
