Santa Rosa Tropicals Fern Growing Notes


'Lemon Button'^® Nephrolepis cordifolia
'Lemon Button'^® is really a very versatile fern. At first it appears to be a 4" table fern, but in reality it resembles a goldfish. The larger the tank, the larger the fish. The same is true with 'Lemon Button'^®. It is good as a 6", ok as an 8" (and can even finish in a 10" pot if someone is willing to wait). "Lemon Button" will live outdoors on a protected patio even where nights have light frost. When it is actively growing it has a very subtle, but clear lemon scent.
Culture for best commercial production: Light: filtered shade. Temperature: 60 degrees F to high 80's. Feed: 100 ppm nitrogen (Excel 15-5-15 or 21-5-20 or equivalent). pH 5.8 to 6.4. Water: on the dry side between waterings. Potting Mix: should have some peat for ion exchange capacity but must drain very well. Pest Control: Lemon has very few pest problems! However if needed spray to prevent aphids during the hot months. Talstar plus Orthene works well. Container: for mass market typically in 4" & 6" pots (as a table fern). Growing Times: (using a Santa Rosa Tropicals plug) 4" pot 5 to 8 weeks in the spring. 6" pot 8 to 10 weeks in the spring.