The plumosa fern , also called asparagus fern , is a perennial vine that is native to South Africa . The plant receive its name due to its leaves being work like those found on a fern . Plumosa fern is a low - maintenance plant life that develop well against walls and along fences . It is stout in USDA growing zone 10 and 11 , where there is depressed jeopardy of freezing temperatures .
Characteristics
The plumosa fern has short cladophyll branches that have the appearance of fern leaves . The straight leaf of the flora consists of dry scales on the phylloclad branches . Plumosa fern produce white or pinkish fragrant flowers during the summertime , and clump of black or red berries shape once the flowering full point is everlasting .
Planting Location
Plumosa fern grows easily when planted in a nutritive - fertile dirt that is well - draining , or a container filled with a intermixture that is 2 parts loam and 1 part path sand . The plant responds well when turn in fond shade – with morning Sunday and afternoon shade . The soil should be tested prior to plant to avow it is acidulous at a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 . Ground rock atomic number 16 can be cultivate into the dirt two weeks prior to planting to depress the pH number .
Care
The plumosa fern is considered drouth - resistant but perform well when the land remains evenly moist during the grow season . subsidiary piss should be employ when the weekly rainfall is less than 1 inch . Do not overwater the plumosa fern or make standing water system around the stem . Plumosa fern should be fertilise each spring with a balanced 10 - 10 - 10 fertiliser . Old and drained limb should be pruned from the works each spring to shake new growth . The shape of the plant can be control with short pruning after flowering is unadulterated .
Propagation
The seeds of the plumosa fern can be collected once they become ripe and planted immediately in a container fill with a dampish seed - set off medium . Seeds that will be planted in outpouring should be dry and salt away in a paper envelope . Plumosa seeds take 21 to 30 days to spud when set at a temperature of 60 to 70 degree F. The plant can also be circularise by dividing the tuber roots in early spring . The full plant should be dig from the land and tubers divided by cut with a tart knife . Each genus Tuber should have five to six oculus and a theme of green leaf .
Problems
Plumosa fern should be monitor for the bearing of aphid and wanderer mites . The plant life can be spray with a penetrating flow of water system to murder the insect . Insecticidal max spray on the underside of the leaves will prevent the insects from returning . moisture conditions at the stem of the plant can stimulate the fungal disease crown buncombe . The plant foliage will dry out and break off and a clean fungus will be present around the stem . poll putrefaction can be process by removing and disposing of infected plant and cover the soil with a fungicide .
