Rabbit foot fern Problems and solutions – One of the most attractive and unique indoor ferns that everyone knows is the Rabbit Foot Fern(Davallia fineness), which is clearly identified by its fuzzy foot-like rhizomes that creep along the sides of pots.
Although it gives the homesteads and gardens a tropical, lush look, this plant is quite sensitive to the environment. Health problems can also arise due to minimal variations in light, moisture, or temperature.
Learning to identify the general issues that plague rabbit foot ferns and how to address them will be the important point to ensure the plant remains colourful and well-being.
Rabbit foot fern Problems and solutions
1. Browning and Yellowing of Leaves.
Yellowing or browning of fronds is one of the most common complaints of people owning rabbit foot fern.
Such discoloration may cause panic, although it normally indicates a developing stress of the environment, rather than a terminal illness. Its primary reasons are excessive watering, deficient watering, or direct blazing sunlight.
Excessive watering causes root rot, which denies the plant access to oxygen, and inadequate watering leads to dehydration, with the leaves ending up being hard, brown, and crispy. Equally, intense sunlight may burn the fragile fronds.
Around this issue, you can change your watering schedule to ensure that your soil is moist to remain humid yet not water-filled. The highest inch of the soil must not be wet.
Rabbit foot ferns grow in indirect light; therefore, they should be placed close to an east window or behind a sheer curtain where they can get sunlight in the morning.
Lop off any withered fronds to promote new and healthy ones. In case the browning continues despite making such changes, examine the roots. Mushy or black roots tell of rot and need to be pruned and repotted in fresh and common soil.
2. Wilting and Drooping Fronds
A previously beautiful fern that starts to hang or appear flattened is probably experiencing a lack of constant moisture or it is dry.
Rabbit foot ferns have their origin in tropical forests where the climate is pleasant with warm and humid conditions all year round.
Lacking moisture in the air, which is obtained in dry indoor settings, particularly in central heating or air conditioning, fronds might dry up and lose form. This eventually causes underdevelopment and a drab life.
You could rejuvenate your fern by adding humidity to the fern.
Whether by misting the fronds daily or by a more efficient method, which is that of a humidifier, it will lower the humidity, but a better way is to leave the pot on a tray of pebbles and water.
Last but not least, the top of the base of the pot is not submerged by the water.
The concentration of the plants also forms a microclimate that conserves day humidity.
Furthermore, do not put the fern close to heating vents or draughty windows because it may aggravate the condition whenever the temperature takes a sudden turn.
When the conditions stabilise, the fronds will be firm again, and new growth will be formed.
3. Sluggish Growth and Sparseness of Foliage.
When your rabbit foot fern does not look like it is growing anymore, or it appears thin and sparse, then it may be experiencing nutrient problems or poor root health.
Similar to the majority of the ferns, it does not need to the fed on a heavy level, though it is good to be slightly fertilised during the growing period.
Deficient in nourishment, the fronds lose their greenness, and the plant might look feeble and sickly-looking.
To solve this, water the fern with a water-balanced liquid fertiliser every 2 to 4 weeks through spring to the onset of autumn.
When the growth of the plant is normally at lower levels in winter, it should not be fertilised then. Do not overfeed be careful not to get too much fertilizer it burns out the roots and damages the tips of the leaves.
Also, it is essential to ensure that the rhizomes, the furry feet, are not covered with soil. These rhizomes are to be kept in the air, and the covering may suffocate new sprouts.
And in case the fern also welters though fed, it might be constrained by its roots. New development will be stimulated by putting it in a somewhat larger potting mix with fresh potting mix specifically used with ferns.
4. Pests and Fungal Infections
Rabbit foot ferns may succumb to pests and diseases even in the perfect environment. The most widespread are the spider mites, scale insects, and mealybugs.
The spots left by these small pests are yellow, sticky, and they cause dying leaves because their fronds have been fed on. Such fungi as root rot, or the presence of leaf spot, might also materialise in humid weather, especially where the air circulation does not work well.
Isolating the affected plant to halt pest infestations is the first step to fighting pests. Wipe the fronds using a soft cloth, or a low-strength insecticidal soap, or spray with neem oil.
Once a week, continue the treatment until the pests disappear. With fungal issues, all infected fronds should be removed, and the area around the plant should be made a better place to live in.
An excess amount of mist should be avoided, fungal growth observed, and water should always be applied to the base of the plant but not on the fronds.
One of the possible measures to prevent future infection is to use a well-draining soil mix and a sterilised pot. Even grave infestations of fern can be cured with good care and attention.
5. Harsh Environment, Ury, and Change of Seasons.
Rabbit foot ferns are so sensitive to temperature change, light, and seasonal changes.
The plant may lose its fronds or even fail to grow at all due to cold draughts, hot air coming out of vents, or relocations. During winter, the heating system may dry the air inside the house, and the light is also not adequate to promote photosynthesis, stressing the plant.
The problem is solved in establishing a stable environment. The temperatures should be kept between 60o °C and 75o °C, and humidity should be kept to moderate to high levels.
When it is winter season, you need to cut down a little on the amount of watering you can give to the plant, but you should not allow the soil to become totally dry.
When the level of light becomes unstable, this is the time to consider having the grow light to imitate the natural sunlight of summer.
A gradual process should be observed when changing the location of the plant, whereby it should adapt to the new environment after several days.
Wrap Up
Rabbit foot fern Problems and solutions – Rabbit foot fern is a plant that is easy to care for, and it will pay off in the end.
You can prevent stressful situations by noticing the early symptoms, which include the yellowing of the leaves, their drooping fronds, or damage by pests, which will be seen before the situation becomes worse.
The trick of keeping this special fern satisfied is to keep the moisture, light, and humidity in a proper balance. It is soft and has a furry rhizome that, with proper care, will continue to spread out gracefully, making your place a regulation tropical forest.
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