Matteuccia (Ostrich Fern)
Ostrich fern is the only species of Matteuccia. This is an easy to grow selection that can form dense colonies and will grow easily along riverbanks. This is the food source for many types of butterflies.
| Growing Temperature: | 60-70° F |
|---|---|
| Soil pH: | 5.5-6.5 |
| Fertility: | Ferns are light feeders |
| Pests and Diseases: | It can be beneficial to apply a preventative fungicide after planting.
Botrytis blight, leaf spots, sooty mold(indoors or South), rusts, damping-off(of prothalli), foliar Rhizoctonia, Pythium. |
| Potting and Timing: | Make sure plugs are adequately moist prior to planting. |
| Moisture: | it is important to keep ferns evenly moist and never allow them to dry out. Like Astilbe, allowing them to wilt could be deadly. Water early in the day to prevent botrytis and foliar diseases. |
| Planting Level: | Plug should be placed at same level as soil surface in the container. Planting too deep will delay shoot development or cause the crown to rot. |
| PGRs/Pinching: | |
| Lighting: | Provide 50% sahde (below 2500 foot candles) for optimum growth, espically in late spring. Too much light produces light green to yellow foliage. Lower light leves produces more lush and dark green foliage. |
