Fern Diseases 255 



Diseases of the Fern 



Ferns as a rule are hardy plants when they are 

 given reasonable care. They are, however, attacked 

 by a few diseases which are of economic importance. 



Tip Burn 

 Cause, physiological. 



Ornamental ferns grown in greenhouse or in bay 

 windows are often troubled by a tip burn of the 

 foliage. This is generally confined to the tender 

 new growth. Affected leaflets become brown at 

 the tip, giving the entire leaf an unsightly appear- 

 ance. There may be various causes responsible for 

 this trouble. An insufficient water supply at the 

 roots will cause the tender leaflets to wilt. If the 

 soil is allowed to remain dry for any length of time, 

 the wilted parts will dry out and become brown. 

 Poisonous gases either from smoke or fumigation 

 will also cause the tender leaflets to dry up and 

 die, thus giving them a burned appearance. Ex- 

 tremes of heat or cold will have a similar effect on 

 the tender tips of the foliage. 



Control. It is evident that in this case removing 

 the cause of the trouble will effect a cure. 



Leaf Scorch 

 Cause, physiological. 



Symptoms, The trouble appears as prominent 



