CHAPTER II 



Preparation of Soils for Potting 



Failure in Fern culture often occurs through some 

 slight neglect in preparation of the compost for potting. 

 Even those which will grow in almost any soil may fail 

 if there should happen to be something in the soil they 

 do not like. The condition of the soil is a great factor. 

 In the first place, it should not be too dry or too wet ; 

 if wet and sticky it clogs together when pressed, and 

 the roots cannot penetrate freely. On the other hand, 

 when too dry it will be very difficult to get the water 

 to penetrate. 



Temperature is another important matter. To pot 

 even the commonest sorts in very cold soil means that 

 the tips of the young roots will suffer, and when the 

 points are gone it takes some time to renew them. The 

 soil should always be as warm or a little warmer than 

 the temperature of the house the Ferns are growing in. 

 I believe that this is one point which is often overlooked, 

 and if actual failure does not occur a great check is 

 given, and it takes some time for the plants to make a 

 new start. With the choice or tender Ferns it is of 

 greater importance. 



In referring to compost for Ferns mention is usually 

 made to loam peat, leaf-mould, etc., but there is a great 

 difference in the quality of these and also of manures. 



Taking them in order — 



Loam. — The most suitable is a soft fibrous loam with 

 some sand in it, but this may not be procurable, and then 



