What should I do if I water my Western black spleenwort too much or too little?
Overwatered Western black spleenwort Despite how much it loves water, it is possible to overwater the Western black spleenwort. This is most likely to happen if you leave your plant sitting in a pool of water or use a planter that doesn’t have drainage holes. Either of those conditions will be too wet and will prevent the roots from being able to take up nutrients and moisture. Too much moisture in the soil can also allow fungal or bacterial diseases to develop. Wilted and yellow leaves are the initial symptoms of overwatering. Over time, the stems may droop and fall over, or begin to feel soft and mushy. However, be sure to check for other causes if you suspect your Western black spleenwort is overwatered, since other issues can look similar and it’s difficult to give this plant too much water. Underwatered Western black spleenwort Vigilance is required to keep this plant wet enough, unless you’re using a self-watering planter, meaning that many fern owners inadvertently let their plant get too dry now and then. In dry conditions, this plant can change in appearance seemingly overnight, from lush and green to brown and crispy. In extreme cases, the plant may dry up so thoroughly that it seems there are no living fronds left. But it may still be possible to save the plant if some of the roots are still healthy. Cut off all of the dry and dead stems, then water thoroughly and return the plant to its usual location. Unless the roots are all dead, this plant can be surprisingly resilient and start putting out new fronds. It may take several months to grow back to the size it was before, but this is possible if you provide proper care in that time.
How can I water my Western black spleenwort properly?
Your Western black spleenwort prefers consistently moist soil that mimics its native enironment, which could mean watering as often as every one or two days. This is a plant that should not be allowed to dry out. Once the top layer of soil begins to feel even slightly dry, it’s time to water again. And don’t just give it a few drops of water: soak the soil completely until water drains out from the bottom of the pot. After the excess water has drained out, dump it so the pot isn’t sitting in a puddle. This is the best method to ensure that soil never gets too dry.
What should I consider when watering my Western black spleenwort?
The amount of humidity in the air around your Western black spleenwort will influence how often you need to water it. Higher humidity in the air means less frequent watering, as evaporation is slower. Keeping this plant near a heating or cooling vent will cause it to dry out quickly, so choose a location that is protected from any type of draft. They prefer dappled and indirect sunlight and temperatures between 55-80 degrees F (13-27 degrees C) meaning that keeping these ferns in a warm and sunny spot windowsill could cause them to get dehydrated quickly. Rainwater or distilled water is great for this plant if you have access to it, although tap water in most places also works fine. Certain minerals and chemicals in tap water can cause brown leaf tips, especially since Western black spleenwort has very thin and delicate leaves. Small pots can cause issues for Western black spleenwort , because they only hold a small amount of potting medium and can dry out more quickly. It is best to allow this plant more space in the pot than many other houseplants. Consider using a self-watering planter for Western black spleenwort. This type of pot uses a wicking system that allows the soil to continuously soak up water from a central reservoir, meaning that the moisture level in the soil stays consistently moist. Not only does this type of pot keep you from having to constantly water your fern, but it is also quite beneficial for the roots to have a constant supply of water instead of going from dry to wet and then back again.
What type of sunlight does Western black spleenwort need?
Western black spleenwort should receive a small amount of indirect light each day. Filtered light from a tree canopy often provides the best growing conditions. Typically, three hours of daily light exposure represents the maximum for this plant. When the Western black spleenwort gains exposure to either too much light, more than three hours per day, or light that is too direct, it will likely burn, dry out, and die.
Does Western black spleenwort need to avoid sun exposure? / Should I protect Western black spleenwort from the sun?
At all times, you should avoid giving your Western black spleenwort too much sun exposure. Likewise, you should also refrain from moving your Western black spleenwort into direct sunlight very suddenly. Most of Western black spleenwort are more tolerant of morning and afternoon sunlight than midday sunlight as midday sunlight is the hottest, most direct, and most capable of harming your Western black spleenwort quickly. Likewise, if you grow your Western black spleenwort indoors, you should not allow it to sit where it can receive direct light from a window. When growing indoors, choose a place that receives a small amount of indirect light each day, just as you would when growing outdoors. Finding the correct amount of sun exposure from the start, whether grown indoors or out, is ideal. However, if you find your Western black spleenwort is receiving too much light, you should move its container immediately, or, if your Western black spleenwort grows in the ground, find a more shaded area to transplant it.
What will happen if Western black spleenwort gets inadequate sunlight?
While the Western black spleenwort requires very little light compared to most other plants, it still needs a few hours of light to put forth healthy growth. Without those few hours of indirect light, the Western black spleenwort may begin to lose its foliage color and can exhibit stunted growth. However, since Western black spleenwort is so fond of shady conditions, it is rarer for it to suffer from lack of sunlight than it is for it to suffer from too much.
Does Western black spleenwort need special care about sunlight during its different growth stages?
Generally, the low light needs of Western black spleenwort will remain the same throughout the entirety of its life span. However, the one exception to that is when this plant is young. While the Western black spleenwort at any growth stage is vulnerable to damage from excessive or sudden direct light, the Western black spleenwort that is younger is even more vulnerable. The same is true for any Western black spleenwort that has been recently transplanted to a new growing location and has not yet had the chance to establish itself.
How much/long should Western black spleenwort get sunlight per day to grow healthily?
For the healthiest growth, Western black spleenwort should receive about three hours of indirect light per day or less. You can consider any amount of light beyond three hours to be too much for this shade-loving plant group. Western black spleenwort thrives naturally in the forest understory, which is why they can conduct photosynthesis with quite low volumes of daily sunlight.
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