As the fronds age, the red hairs drop off, but a few are retained where the little leaflets join the main stem of the leaf. This is not the edible fiddlehead of commerce -- don't eat the Arkansas natives. Q. Boston Ferns - I recently purchased two Boston ferns. I personally have always assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that the root nodules on asparagus ferns were there to store nutrients/moisture for the plant. The sweet fern Comptonia peregrina, does form root nodules for nitrogen fixing/nutrients in sandy, low fertility soils. Drought: Maintain even soil moisture at all times. Edible Ferns of New England. By Elizabeth Riely. Today, our little guy taught us differently by munching on my boston fern last night while we slept, and getting sick afterwards. During the winter, mist the leaves twice a day. They are a favorite plant among cats who love to nibble at and play with the long fronds. Household plants reflect a decorator's tastes and gardening prowess, and add to the look and feel of your home. Check the rhizome for a strong root network and place it in the soil. Royal Fern used for intestinal worms. Find a healthy clump of ferns, a shade plant, in a wooded area. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when it is time to re-pot your fern: Use a good commercial potting soil high in humus matter, such as those formulated for African violets, and choose a pot that is the same size as, or 2 inches larger in diameter than, the original pot. Ferns used for Digestion (including stomach ache and parasites) Mountain Wood Fern used for stomachache. Boston ferns stop growing from fall to winter and during this dormant stage like the temperature to be 50 degrees, minimal watering (the soil should be barely moist), and no fertilizer. Boston ferns thrive in high humidity, so if you live in a dry climate, run a humidifier or place it on a tray filled with pebbles and water to raise the humidity. To care for a Boston fern, first make sure it's in a place that gets indirect sunlight. Many ferns are indeed poisonus to pets, but not the popular Boston fern. Graying Nephrolepsis, Boston fern: Leaves have a gray color and plants have few runners. Bracken Fern used to make good blood after menses or childbirth. If you are good with plants though, you might try to raise a Boston fern. Questions About Boston Fern Plants. ... the roots can be used to flavor drinks, boiled and served in a vinaigrette dressing, or dried, ground and baked with barley into a … Boston Ferns and your Cat The Cat Fanciers association lists the Boston fern ( Nephrolepis exaltat a--a.k.a. Sword Fern) as a non-toxic plant for cats. The cinnamon ferns new fronds emerge covered in a reddish hair, and are called fiddleheads. Examine roots for nematode and root rot symptoms. Fiddlehead ferns can refer to a number of young, unfurled ferns, but ostrich ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) are the variety of ferns harvested and eaten. The pods are tubers or nodules. Foliar Nematode Asplenium: Small dark green spots form at the base of … The Boston fern is a popular houseplant that is not fussy about its environment and requires minimal care. Asked by Anonymous on March 4, 2014. Dig up a broad-diameter section of ferns and put in a large container holding about four inches of moist potting soil. Rock Cap used for stomachaches and cholera. According to the ASPCA, Boston ferns are non-toxic to both cats and dogs. You can't use them to grow new plants. Crested Wood Fern (Dryopteris cristata) used root infusion for stomach trouble. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, improving air quality, and through transpiration, infuse dry air with needed humidity. The University of Nebraska lists the Boston fern … As part of a landscape design, however, ostrich ferns, hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 3 through 7, make for a pleasing green backdrop for perennial plants. Step 1 - Obtain a Fern Rhizome in Late Summer. Keep the soil damp, and water the fern if the soil feels dry. The plant stores energy in the them.