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Fern Growing Notes


'Kangaroo Paw'
Microsorium diversifolium
 


Microsorium diversifolium

Beautiful and easy to grow, "Kangaroo Paw" does well in two worlds. As a basket fern it has glossy green foliage and a very "friendly" foot that wraps around the outside of the container. In the semi-tropical areas of the United States and Central America it performs well as a ground cover . As a ground cover it will restrict itself to a shady area under trees of shrubs and brings a wonderfully tropical look to the area!

Culture for best commercial production:

Light: 850 to 1500 foot candles. High light ok if air temp 90º or under.

Temperature: 60º to high 80º's.

Feed: 100 ppm nitrogen (Excel 15-5-15 or similar).* pH...between 5.8 to 6.4

Water: keep moist but not wet.

Potting Mix: should have some peat for ion exchange capacity but must drain well.

Pest Control: relatively pest free, but Talstar plus Orthene is ok for aphids, scale and caterpillars. Pot size for mass market...10" baskets or 1 gallon cans.

Container: usually grown as a large table fern or hanging basket, it can also be grown in gallon cans to be used in the landscape in temperate climate areas.

Schedule: (starting with a Santa Rosa Tropicals plug)
4" pot 6 to 8 weeks. Once feet show at edge bump-up into 10" baskets or gallon cans.
10" basket - 16 to 20 weeks from a 4".
1 gallon - 12 to 16 weeks from a 4".

*Note: Does not need continuous feed, especially in winter months. It should look a bit hungry when grown correctly!



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