Santa Rosa Tropicals Fern Growing Notes


'Bluebell' Nephrolepis exaltata
Finally a Boston relative that mimics the uniform growth of a 10" Boston but is symmetrical enough even when young to use successfully in a 6"pot or even in 6" or 8" baskets! The fronds on 'Bluebell' are a little shorter than a Boston so that the growth habit tends more toward ball-shaped rather than adding length to the hanging fronds. 'Bluebell' is also a little lighter green than a Boston so there is no doubt when looking at a finished plant that it is definitely 'Bluebell'. With the ever increasing demand for mid-sized foliage plants that will ship in sleeves more efficiently and take a bit less space on the retail shelves, "Bluebell" fills a definite niche.
Culture for best commercial production: Light: Medium to bright shade (63% to 75%) Temperature: 63º to high 80º's. Feed: 100 ppm Nitrogen at first gradually going up to 150 or 200 ppm for finishing, with pH 5.8 to 6.4. Excel 15-5-15 does a very good job. Water:Almost dry between waterings. Potting Mix: Quite pest-free. Talstar(r) plus Orthene(r) can be safely used. Pest Control: Talstar(r) + Orthene(r) works well as a preventative program for aphids or scale during the warm months. Container: For mass market = 6" pots or 6" to 10" baskets. Schedule: (starting with a Santa Rosa Tropicals plug) 4" pot 6 to 8 weeks. Just when roots make a stable root ball bump-up into larger containers. 6" pot or basket 12 to 14 weeks 8" basket 14 to 18 weeks form a 4". 10" basket 12 to 16 weeks form a 6".

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