What is the ideal pot size for a Japanese Splenium Nidus fern?

The ideal pot size for a Japanese Splenium Nidus fern is typically a two-thirds plant to one-third pot ratio to avoid too much wet soil.

Why is drainage important for this fern?

Drainage is crucial because lack of it can lead to root rot, especially if the soil remains wet for extended periods.

How can I improve the potting conditions for my fern?

Ensure your pot has a drainage hole and use an appropriate size to maintain a healthy soil-to-root ratio. Consider rinsing the soil to remove any chemicals.

What should I do if my plant has been sitting in wet soil?

If your plant has been in wet soil, you should consider repotting it into a container with good drainage and fresh soil to prevent root rot.

Can I use chemical fertilizers on my fern?

It is better to use organic fertilizers, as they are less likely to harm the plant. Rinse the soil first to eliminate any chemical residues.

Rescued Fern: Saved from the Supermarket!

This fern was found at the grocery store store. It was sitting in a pot that doesn’t drain and holds water. In this video, learn why it would have eventually died if it hadn’t been rescued. In the video, the plant is repotted in the correct size pot.

#healthyhouseplants #indoorplants #plantcare #gardeningtips #houseplants

Video Transcript

[Music]

Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. If you’d like to support our show, please use our Amazon affiliate link below.

Today, I am going to show you a plant that I have rescued from demise. Most likely, if it had gone on as it usually would, someone would buy this plant just like it is.

Right now, this Japanese Splenium Nidus fern looks great. I can’t argue with that—very vibrant foliage! Most likely, it was potted up not too long ago, and I found it in the store looking good. However, it’s not really looking good in terms of proper pot size.

Number one, this pot does not have a drainage hole. Number two, two big problems: this will be on a quick road to root rot very soon because it’s not in the correct size pot. As mentioned, this is more of a one-half plant to one-half pot, or even a little bit less than half plant, closer to a third plant to two-thirds pot ratio. As I often discuss, you want a two-thirds plant to one-third pot ratio to avoid too much wet soil.

Now, not having a drainage hole is even more problematic. I discovered this without knowing it, and a lot of people may not even find this out; they just keep watering it or wonder why it remains wet. This green pot is actually an outer pot, and there is an inner pot. You might not know that, so there is an inner pot here, and it’s lots of wet in there, which would probably continue to stay wet for who knows how long.

These plants were in a grocery store, so most likely, the grocery store staff aren’t watering them regularly. It could have been wet for quite some time. As I mentioned in my video series on root rot, it can take a while for root rot to set in and then to kill a plant, so a plant can look good when you buy it—that’s generally what happens.

So, I find this and think, “Okay, as long as I make sure to drain this before I put it in this pot, it’ll be okay.” However, it’s still not the greatest pot size. My guess is that when I get into this plant, if I take it out of the pot, there won’t be as much soil in it compared to roots. I have a video on root mass that emphasizes having two-thirds root to one-third soil in the pot as well.

So, my guess is that this smaller pot will be a more appropriate size for this plant. Let’s take it out.

When you do this, you want to break the soil. If all the soil readily falls off, that’s usually a good indication. This one has a fair amount of roots, though they’re small, so it’s going to be pretty easy to get this into this size pot.

It actually is a prettier pot for this plant anyway, as you can see; it brings up some of the tones from the lime green here. I haven’t taken off a ton of soil, but even that amount of wet soil could cause the plant to go into root rot—especially since it’s coming out of something that’s not draining.

This is a quick and easy way to add new soil. The soil actually looks like it was just recently planted, so for now, I’m not going to repot. One thing you can do, though, if you’re concerned about the soil quality from the grower, is to leach the plant. I have a video on that too, so I will rinse it through water to remove any chemical fertilizers and then re-inoculate with a good organic fertilizer like my Green Gourmet House Plant Food. I’ll put a link below for that as well.

So here we go with this really pretty plant, and I’m liking this new pot anyway! This pot does have a drainage hole, as you’ll see. Now, this plant has a much better chance of surviving and continuing to look really pretty as it is now.

Thank you for stopping by today! Please leave any comments about any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video, and please check the bell if you’d like to be notified when new videos are released.

FAQ's Rescued Fern

When should you water your houseplants?

Knowing the best time to water your plants is crucial. Visual observation is one method. For example, a peace lily needs water when it shows signs of drooping. It’s important to water on time to keep it healthy.

How can I tell if my plants need water?

All plants will exhibit signs of needing water, such as wilting. When you notice your plant starting to droop, it’s essentially telling you, “Water me as soon as possible!”

What is a moisture meter, and how do I use it?

A moisture meter shows different levels: dry, moist, and very wet. Insert the pointed end into the soil and check the reading to determine the moisture level.

What if I don’t have a moisture meter?

If you prefer not to use a moisture meter, you can use a wooden skewer. Poke it into the soil; if it comes out dry, it’s time to water.

What type of water should I use for my plants?

Never use softened water, as it contains salts that can harm your plants. Always use warm or tepid water, not cold water.

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