I'm probably a little late on this entry but, remember, that older varieties of Nephrolepsis were mutations that were then propagated since the old standby Boston Fern was very very prolific in it's mutations. Also, names were given to these mutations back then and were probably changed so many times that they most likely won't be listed on many lists since there wasn't any checks and balances as we have now for registering plant names. So if you can't find the name you're looking for doesn't mean it wasn't there at one time or another. Just as today we have plants that have many different names that are the same thing. Older names just drop off and aren't remembered any more. If you have Boston ferns and it progeny, watch for those mutations that may develop from those runners that root. You just might find a new one.

It's funny I should run into this thread today because just in the last few days I came to a half-hearted decision to give my ferns to my mom or sister because they are not doing well here.

I really like ferns! They add a beauty and a unique presence within the home. Their leaves also make me feel like I'm in a warmer climate than I am, which helps when 1/2 - 3/4 of the year is cooler than I would like it to be.

The trouble is that I don't have the time or desire to cut dead fronds off every week; and my Boston fern, especially, is a leaf-dropping, color-turning (brown) maniac, despite having a coveted spot next to the shower that is probably the most humid spot available in the house. Here it is, relegated to a less-ideal spot until I can re home it (or pitch it):


My Kimberly queen fern (Australian sword fern) is a stinker about it now, too. Green and gorgeous (and growing!) for months and then, come December, it started throwing a tantrum (i.e. dead leaves) and is about 25% brown right now.

(For the record, I have only used that wax warmer by my aussie fern 2-3 times since the plant was moved there, so it's not the culprit to my plant's petulant behavior.)

(Yes, I'm feeling alliterative today! )

Why not try your hand at staghorn ferns, @DogsNDaylilies.? They are incredibly interesting plants (nothing like the "typical" fern), are epiphytic (don't need an ounce of soil), and adapt to all kinds of growing conditions. As you have found, the ferns you grow take a lot of care. That's why the vast majority of them are tossed out in the garbage each fall and new ones purchased in the spring. The staghorn can outlive both of us and can even be passed down to the next generation of family. How many plants can you say that about?

Ken, that's a great idea! I might look into it. I know I've seen pictures of Staghorn fern before, but haven't actively pursued research on them yet. I'm also getting a little more adept at caring for the epiphytes I do have already (tillandsia), so maybe that will help give me a little leg up with a Staghorn fern. Hmm...

Research to do...

The care if staghorns is not much different than that of tillandsia. When the staghorn is young, it will need more watering but as it ages and increases in size, the watering can become more and more infrequent. When I dunk my mounted tillandsia in the sink (fall/winter), I do the same with my mounted staghorns. During the spring and summer, they are all outside, hanging under oak/cedar trees.

Since our zones are so different, though, I wonder if the greater amount of time indoors in a diet environment will be okay for it.

Please tell me what a "diet environment" is, @dogsndaylilies. Staghorns make excellent, easy-to-care for houseplants. I have grown them by the hundreds and have grown them in every imaginable environment one would probably have. Some time outside (just like people) just gives them a step-up and makes for a stronger, healthier plant, regardless of the tropical plant. At least that's my opinion for what its worth.

drdawg said:Please tell me what a "diet environment" is, @dogsndaylilies.

It's what my phone translates "drier environment" to. I suppose, in the plant world, it's sort of the same thing though, don't you suppose?

drdawg said:Staghorns make excellent, easy-to-care for houseplants. I have grown them by the hundreds and have grown them in every imaginable environment one would probably have. Some time outside (just like people) just gives them a step-up and makes for a stronger, healthier plant, regardless of the tropical plant. At least that's my opinion for what its worth.

I would be able to give it a few months outdoors, I think.

It is past my bedtime. My back needs its sleep. Good night all.

My knowledge: Only what's on the tag that came with the plant.
Growing conditions: Shaded, wooded area. Somewhat dry, rooty soil. PNW climate.

I planted 5 ferns last summer in part of an area that I've been working on. I'm going for low-maintenance. My method is to tend to them at first and then see what survives the winter. If they don't survive, I won't replant them. I'm going to plant more ferns, but I'm going to change course and try to go only native.

What I planted:

Japanese Painted Fern. Didn't survive.
Upside-down Fern. Still there, but I'm not sure if it's going to survive. It's turning brown, but the tag says it's semi-evergreen, so the verdict is out.
Autumn Fern: Doing well and it's my favorite so far! The bright green color gives contrast to the dark colored soil and darker green plants around it.
Tongue Fern: Doing very well, twice the size as when I first planted it.
Soft Shield Fern: Doing well.


I call this "Fern Hill"


Autumn Fern


Soft Shield Fern


Tongue Fern


Upside-down Fern

I know it is hard to believe that southeast Alabama is the 8b zone, but I am in 8b also. The Champions Wood fern has done excellent here, the Autumn ferns do very well here also (that may be an indication we do have some similarity in zones). My Upside Down fern makes it through the winter fine, but it is just not nearly as vigorous, as the Autumn ferns and the Wood ferns. I have a couple of different Japanese ferns, they also make it though the winters here, but are not growing at a very rapid pace, just basically hanging in there, but this will be the third year for some of them so they have take off this year. The Christmas ferns do fair, but this will be there third and fourth year and they have not grown all that much (well maybe I forgot just how small they were to start with). But they are not very large, and they don't have the best shape to me for a fern.
So I would love to have a few more Wood ferns and more Autumn ferns, plus they do not spread nearly as fast as some of my (native?) local ferns do.

I LOVE ferns! Surprisingly they have done well for me inspite of lack of care on my part.

I have two huge ones in the ground in front of my gazebo / makeshift greenhouse that love it there and come back every year no matter what!

To me they say "Tropical"! They look so great around rock gardens, patios, or hanging.

I have put it off as long as I could. Out to the OPP to update pictures of all my mounted staghorns. I have been remiss in not keeping up with this. A necessary evil if I am going to maintain my website properly. I never seem to catch up with my picture-taking.

Can't wait to see the pictures!

I have added about 50% of the mounted stags to my website, Jeanne. I am also adding a bunch of orchids and building a new page, "Window Sill Orchids". I just don't seem to have the energy to get much accomplished. My back gets pretty sore when I sit too long.

Wow! What a sight! Nice work Doc! The plants look great! Impressive! The plants are beautiful! Good job!

@Texasgal77. Thank you for taking a look at my site, Jeanne.

You are welcome! You can see that you have put alot of work into it! Nice job!

I am sure "this is not pulling teeth" but I thought you were supposed to be retired! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

You do great work either way! The mounted plants are beautiful!

I found out very quickly when faced with having to retire, that I needed something to keep me occupied. Thus Tropical Plants & More was started on a shoe-string. It might be on a boot-string now.