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| Howdy, folks!
I know that many of you are already sold on the performance benefits of Al's (Tapla's) two main mixes: the 5-1-1 and the gritty mix. That said, here's another endorsement. In this case, I used the bark-based 5-1-1 mix for my potted Chainfern (Woodwardia fimbriata). I'll include a link below to the full Thread on the Moss/Ferns Forum, where I documented the enitre re-potting process. Here's my Chainfern on the front deck this morning:
*Note: in the original Thread, I refer to the mix as "gritty," but I should clarify - I meant
Giant Chainfern - Spring 2009 re-potting Josh |
Here is a link that might be useful: Giant Chainfern - Spring 2009 re-potting
Follow-Up Postings:
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| .... attractive plant, Josh. Strong work. ;o) Al |
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- Posted by greenman28 Nor Cal 7/8 (My Page) on Wed, Aug 5, 09 at 15:35
| Thank you, Al. The information and the techniques you provide have made Growing so much more enjoyable. With the guess-work minimized, one can sit back and observe his or her plants in peace....not fretting and wondering if a particular specimen will "make it." ;) Josh |
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- Posted by greenman28 Nor Cal 7/8 (My Page) on Sat, Jun 26, 10 at 11:23
| The Chainfern continues to thrive in the 5-1-1! I might be able to go another year in this mix, but I'll likely consider a partial re-potting next Spring. Pics from yesterday, for your perusal:
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- Posted by meyermike_1micha 5 (My Page) on Sat, Jun 26, 10 at 11:54
| I am 100% with Al on this one Josh! Wow, you gave me a great idea for many bare spots with no dirt at my home.. That is beautiful..Thank you for the pictures. Mike..:-) |
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- Posted by jojosplants Az. Z9 (My Page) on Sat, Jun 26, 10 at 12:37
| Good Morning Guys! At least it is here, still morning.;) Josh, I found foxtail ferns at lowes, hope they are still there tomorrow, gonna get a few. Failed something terrible with them a few years ago, and want to try again. The 3 of you are gonna get me in trouble! Everytime I open a post I want to try something new! LOL!!! But I can't think of better friends to get in Trouble with! ;) Hugs! |
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- Posted by greenman28 Nor Cal 7/8 (My Page) on Sat, Jun 26, 10 at 12:37
| Thank you, Mike! This fern is the main "feature" on my front deck - even the Hoyas play second fiddle to this fern, |
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- Posted by greenman28 Nor Cal 7/8 (My Page) on Sat, Jun 26, 10 at 12:58
| Hey, JoJo! Looks like we cross-posted at the same time! ;-) Thank you for the kind words! I love to get others involved... Ferns are wonderful accent pieces! They can be moved around for garden parties, can frame I often start my ferns in pots while I determine a spot for them in the yard. This year, I've I am putting together another small half-barrel/Chainfern combination for my brother. |
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- Posted by jojosplants Az Z9 (My Page) on Sat, Jun 26, 10 at 17:45
| Hi Josh, "I love to get others involved" Is that what you call it? LOL! Al's mixes, all the beautiful plants, I'm hooked! LOL! I dont think ferns like you have would be very happy here. You sound like me, every time I send something to mom, I have to hope she doesn't kill it..ROFL!! Mike, did you ever find you a foxtail? JoJo |
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- Posted by meyermike_1micha 5 (My Page) on Sat, Jun 26, 10 at 18:46
| Hi Jojo and everyone else!!! Hi.:-) Jojo, I carried a foxtail fern awhile back all over the nursery, for I'd say about 1 hour just to realize that I haven't got one ounce of land left to grow it in my house!!lol Let me tell you though, the thoughts has now occurred ,loi me thanks to our friend Josh, bad influence, to plant ferns that can ventrally be planted outdoors..I might even just keep them in permanent containers..What do you think? They are so ordinary around here, yet majestic! I wonder if they get fed Foliage Pro though..? Lol I can't believe the stiff you have bought just in the last 3 months...You should put them all together. or start a thread showing all you new aquirings,is that a word,? and I will follow suit..lol Mike:-) |
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| I'm thinking of trying Josh's peat-free 5-1-1 recipe for my own ferns. Since my fir bark doesn't have many really fine particles, though, I was thinking of buying a cheap coffee grinder and using it to grind the fir bark, then use that in place of peat... Does that sound like it'd work? (My ferns are pretty small right now, so I wouldn't need a lot.) |
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- Posted by greenman28 Nor Cal 7/8 (My Page) on Wed, Nov 24, 10 at 19:48
| Hello, everyone! I was sweeping the front deck and moving things around this afternoon, and I snapped a pic of my fern. Also, my apologies to Cliss (if you're still around) for not responding to his/her question. Secondly, I wanted to re-iterate for any new readers that this mix was derived from Al's (Tapla's) teachings Anyhow, here she is!
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| Sweeet! ;o) Happy Thanksgiving, Josh/all. Al |
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| All lush and green! A very nice "fern lady", Josh. Happy Thanksgiving to you, my friend. Xuan |
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- Posted by greenman28 Nor Cal 7/8 (My Page) on Wed, Nov 24, 10 at 23:28
| Same to you, Xuan! ;) And thanks, Al, for the great soil mix! This morning, the overnight freeze had the fronds looking limp, but they sprang back by midday. I'm in the process of putting together one of these "barrels" with a Chainfern for my brother. |
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| Nice, Josh! I like ferns, too... we have a few different types planted in the shadier areas of the yard, but I have none in containers. Way to go! She's a beauty! |
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- Posted by bayoufilter 9a HouTX (My Page) on Wed, Dec 1, 10 at 11:22
| Just a note... having grown and loved ferns and also having a more recent 'crush' on foxtails... The foxtail isn't really a fern. It's in the Asparagus family! Please post pics of foxtails if ya plant 'em! They always make me smile... Rick |
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- Posted by greenman28 Nor Cal 7/8 (My Page) on Wed, Dec 1, 10 at 12:45
| Hey, Rick! I've read that Asparagus Ferns are considered a part of Lily family. Not positive, though. I have a friend who grows a common Asparagus Fern outdoors, and it dies back during snows/freezes... but it returns in the spring and summer. I'm more interested in true ferns, however. |
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- Posted by greenman28 Nor Cal 7/8 (My Page) on Wed, Dec 1, 10 at 12:52
| Jodi, I'm sorry I missed your post there! It's good to see you back at the Forums! What type of ferns are you growing? They must be very cold tolerant! |
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- Posted by greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a (My Page) on Tue, Nov 8, 11 at 19:18
| Hello, everyone! Well, I never got around to re-potting my Chainfern, but the growth was great again this year.
Josh |
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| Looking good, Josh! I grow everything, including orchids, in various renditions of Al's mixes! You just can't beat the structure and aeration this type of medium holds! |
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- Posted by greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a (My Page) on Wed, Nov 9, 11 at 15:49
| Jodi, whoohoo! Great to see you! Thanks! Next Spring will make 3 years in this particular mix....! Josh |
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| Great to see you, too, Josh! I've got several plants that have been in a fir bark based mix for a long time... the bark is bound to break down after a while, but this is so much longer than a peat based mix can hold up for. Your fern looks great... and I'm betting the roots look great, too. Are you waiting for next spring to re-pot? |
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