When To Transplant Ferns [And How To]

Now, you will need to place each batch of Fern into the holes you set up. After that, you should cover the roots with compost. And to make the Ferns adjust to their new surroundings, you need to cram them down.

Always remember that ferns grow excellently in a moist environment, so, as much as possible, don't let them dry out! Lastly, note that if you place the newly transplanted ferns in full shade, you may not need to water them a lot.

4. Organic Mulch Requirements

If you provide your ferns mulch, you should give them a thick layer. And it should ideally have cedar bark and pine needles in it.

It would be best to give them mulch during the growing period. Doing such will keep the soil have adequate moisture and protect it from weed growth.

5. Fertilization

Ferns need only a little fertilizer since they grow well with enough moisture and thick layers of organic mulch. If you give them too much fertilizer, they might obtain growth problems.

To assist your fern plants in flourishing, you can add compost, leaves, or worm castings to improve the soil. As much as possible, avoid utilizing commercial fertilizers on the transplanted ferns.

How To Transplant Ferns From Ground To A Pot?

1. Prepare The Gardening Pot

To begin with, you should prepare a pot that contains drainage holes. Using this kind of pot will help help your ferns remove excess water, thus preventing root damage.

As much as possible, avoid putting the fern in a pot that has too much space because there is a possibility that the plant will drown due to excess water. Additionally, you don't need a deep gardening pot for your ferns since they have shallow roots.

2. Prepare The Potting Mix

To prepare the potting mix for your ferns, you should put gardening soil, peat moss, and sand in equal parts. And once you finish mixing the three elements, we'd like to remind you that you next need to pasteurize it to ensure that no bacteria will exist in it.

3. Pasteurize The Potting Mix

To pasteurize the potting mix, you will need to cover it using foil and bake it in an oven. Note that the temperature you should set is at 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Be sure to allow the potting mix to cool before transferring it to the pot. Then dampen the potting mix by adding water.

4. Dig The Fern Out

Using your shovel or spade, dig the fern out. Carefully pull the root system and break the soil gently. Moreover, you need to shake the root ball to lessen the remaining soil from it. You can refer to the previous instructions we'd provided for transplanting for easy removal tools and tips.

5. Replant The Fern

For the last step, you will have to replant the fern in the gardening pot and cover the root ball with more  potting mix. Keep watering the fern until the soil is already moist and the gardening pot releases excess water out of its drainage holes. Lastly, place your newly transplanted fern in a location with low light.

How To Transplant An Overgrown Fern?

Examine your fern plants and determine if they need replanting. The ideal time to transplant your fern is when they have already expanded out of the pot.

Fill a shallow pot with a soil-less growing medium. The gardening soil should have a peat content of 50 percent. Allow enough space for the roots to grow because you should not let them suffocate in a small pot.

Snip the large fern into smaller pieces, halves, quarters, or thirds. Put each piece in individual pots. If you choose a larger pot, halving it will work perfectly. Wrap the roots of the ferns with the soil-less medium after placing them in the gardening pots. Lastly, water them continually to keep their soil damp.

Can I Transplant Ferns That Came From The Wild?

Unfortunately, no. It is generally forbidden in most areas to transplant Ferns from the wild. Illegally transplanting ferns from the wild results in the extinction of some fern species. The only fern plants you can transplant are the ferns growing on your property or inside your home.