How Do You Care Polystichum Setiferum?

How Do You Care Polystichum Setiferum?

The soft shield fern, Polystichum setiferum, is an evergreen or semi-evergreen fern endemic to southern and western Europe. The stalks and most midribs are covered with cinnamon-brown scales. The specific epithet setiferum means “with bristles” in Latin.

It is most common in Ireland, southwestern Great Britain, western France, and northwest Iberia, where it benefits from a combination of mild winters and moist summers, but it also occurs more locally north to northern Scotland and east to the Crimea and Turkey; in the Mediterranean, it grows at high altitudes.

It thrives in wooded areas, frequently but not always on steep slopes.

This fern’s green tinted leaves will surely liven up your house (or garden) due to its low care and modest growth. But only if you learn how to properly care for it will it thrive.

The following are the general care instructions for your Soft Shield Fern:

Water requirements

The Soft Shield Fern thrives when watered on a regular basis to keep the soil moist throughout the dry season. Once the plant has established, water it less frequently.

Light requirements

Maintain your Polystichum Setiferum in a location that receives full shade on a regular basis. Most experts say that as long as you maintain it in partial light to shade, this fern will thrive and develop appropriately.

We propose that you position your Polystichum Setiferum in full or deep shadow (no direct sunlight or at most 2 hours per day), minimal to partial shade (only 2-6 hours of direct sunlight per day), or dappled or moderate shade (under the canopy of other plants).

Soil requirements

The Soft Shield Fern prefers soil with adequate drainage and wet features at all times, which is why a soil combination of clay, loam, chalk, and sand is required.

This is why most experts think that the Soft Shield Fern requires soil rich in clay, loam (silt), and sand in order to thrive.

Temperature requirements

The Soft Shield Fern thrives in a wide temperature range. The temperature requirements of your Polystichum Setiferum are not too high or too low.

It is best to avoid temperatures below -10°F degrees Celsius, and temperatures at about 15-20 degrees Celsius for most of the year.

Is Polystichum Setiferum Toxic To Cats?

This huge, evergreen fern is endemic to the United Kingdom and has silky, dark green fronds that emerge erect before unfurling and falling softly open.

Try it in front of a shaded, well-drained border or beneath deciduous trees with other foliage plants.

Cut back the old leaves in early January to make room for spring bulbs, or leave it in place until the new fronds bloom in April.

Pets and children are safe to approach this plant since Polystichum setiferum ‘Plumosum Densum’ is not harmful.

How Do You Propagate Polystichum Setiferum?

Polystichum setiferum is propagated by division, as well as by spores.

Dividing the plant will result in the division of only rhizomes. Propagation through spores, however, allows for the creation of new plants using only leaf cuttings.

In order to propagate your Polystichum Setiferum using spores or rhizomes, you will need to collect the spores from your plant and then sow them with sterilized potting soil.

Small bulbils that appear along the midrib of the fronds can be used to propagate the plant. Remove the frond with the bulbils and place on a tray of compost.

Cover with polythene to keep the whole thing moist and keep warm in a light place but out of direct sunshine.

The bulbils will form roots and as they establish they can be removed and potted up individually into a peaty compost.

Is Polystichum Setiferum Deer Resistant?

The fern has been considered deer resistant, this means that it will be evergreen through the whole winter.

This means that the Soft Shield Fern is a popular ornamental plant whose hardiness against the deer varies from garden to garden, so if you are worried about deer attacking your Polystichum Setiferum , do not hesitate to deer spray your Polystichum Setiferum as a precautionary measure.

Is Polystichum Setiferum Evergreen?

The soft shield fern, Polystichum setiferum, is an evergreen or semi-evergreen fern endemic to southern and western Europe.

The stalks and most midribs are covered with cinnamon-brown scales. The specific epithet setiferum means “with bristles” in Latin.

The brilliant green fronds of the fern are 30–120 cm (12–47 in) tall and droop downslope, with four to ten fronds on a mature plant.

The fronds are soft-textured, bipinnate (single-pinnate on small, immature plants), and the pinnae on the stalk are opposing.

Each pinna is 4–14 cm long, with a big upward-pointing pinnule at the base and smaller pinnules descending to the pinna tip; the pinnules have gently bristly ends.

Individual fronds stay lush and vibrant throughout the season. They survive for nine to fifteen months after wilting and stay linked to the rhizome.

The circular sori are found in two rows on either side of the midrib of each pinnule and are protected by an umbrella-like indusium with fringed sides that is joined centrally.

They erupt with pale yellow spores.

How Big Can Polystichum Setiferum Get?

Polystichum setiferum ‘Plumosomultilobum’, the queen of all ferns, charms your landscape with a beautiful, lacey look evocative of the Victorian era when it was originally found.

This layered perennial evergreen fern grows to be around 18 inches tall and 24 inches broad.

When completely ripe, the incredibly finely cut, fluffy fronds have a soft, delicate touch. Older plants have fronds that are so finely split that they resemble a slab of moss.

The fronds of this fern curl outwards from the center of the plant, giving it the appearance of a whirlwind from above.

When it comes to bringing movement to the garden, this fern has you covered.

How Do You Water Polystichum Setiferum?

The Soft Shield Fern is a difficult plant to care for in terms of irrigation.

This is mostly due to its complicated watering schedule and reasonably consistent watering requirements.

Most experts believe that the Polystichum Setiferum thrives best when watered on a regular basis to maintain the soil wet throughout the dry season. Once the plant has established, water it less frequently.

As a result, it is regarded as a plant with generally ordinary water requirements.

As a general guideline, maintain your Soft Shield Fern in soil that is wet yet well-draining, as this will ensure the proper circumstances for your plant to develop and thrive.

When you consider this, you should attempt to pick soil with high drainage and wet qualities to maintain the correct moisture levels at all times.

If you want a “one-size-fits-all” strategy for watering your Soft Shield Fern, try the classic “finger” test. To do this test, just place your finger in the soil of your plant and evaluate whether or not it is damp.

If it is, please do not water; if it is not, please do. In any event, this test will tell you if your Soft Shield Fern needs water or not, every time.

Why Is My Polystichum Setiferum Dying?

Your plant is definitely sick. More than likely, it is suffering from a root rot. The most common culprit of root rot is overwatering, but it can also be caused by underwatering and cold temperatures.

If you have a Polystichum Setiferum that has died as a result of root rot, you will see the leaves turn yellow and begin to curl and shrivel up while the fronds droop to the ground.

The soil surrounding the plant may also begin to turn brown and crumbly as well.

If left untreated, your plant will experience systemic wilt, in which the plant will no longer be able to transport nutrients to its extremities.

This causes the fronds to begin to shrivel and rot. Eventually, the plant will die, despite any additional treatment. The only way to save your Polystichum Setiferum is with a root graft from another mother plant or from cuttings.

Extreme temperatures is another common reason for your Polystichum Setiferum to become sick. If you live in a colder climate, regularly check the temperatures around the plant and make sure that it is being protected with appropriate mulch or insulation.

If you live in a warmer climate, do not worry so much about cool temperatures, but make sure that the plant is well-drained; over-watering can lead to root rot just as easily as underwatering.

Is Polystichum Setiferum Easy To Care?

The Soft Shield Fern is an easy plant to care for. It is a perennial fern and will grow year after year if provided with adequate moisture during its growing season.

It is important to keep the fern in an area where it can receive full sun, as this is required for optimal growth.

However, it should be placed in an area that receives protection from strong winds and direct sunlight in the hottest part of the day if possible, as this will prevent sunburn to the leaves.

In addition, the Polystichum Setiferum understands that it is their responsibility to maintain a healthy environment for nature’s flora. As such, they appreciate a soil that is moist yet well-drained.

Why Is My Polystichum Setiferum Leggy?

The Soft Shield Fern is a fern that will grow from a rhizome and can be aggressive.

If you have a Polystichum Setiferum that has become leggy, it is likely that the rhizome has outgrown its pot. This will keep the fern from growing as tall and luscious as it desires to be.

If you find that this is the problem, try transplanting your plant into a larger pot with more soil.

Root rot is another problem that can result in leggy growth.

If your Polystichum Setiferum is suffering from root rot, you will see the roots begin to become muddy and a matte black in color. The soil surrounding your plant may also become brownish in color.

This can only be treated by cutting off the diseased parts of the rhizome and transplanting into a pot with fresh soil; this could potentially save your Soft Shield Fern from disaster.

Overwatering is a problem that can cause legginess as well. The Polystichum Setiferum appreciates soil that is moist yet well-drained, but over-watering can lead to root rot just as easily as underwatering.

To combat this, keep an eye on the soil’s moisture levels and over-water only if necessary. Additionally, water sparingly in the wet season when your plant has time to recover from overwatering in the dry season.

Overwatering can also be caused by poor drainage. If you have over-watered your Polystichum Setiferum, it is recommended that you change the soil around the roots of your plant so that the soil becomes drier to prevent this from happening again.

How Do You Prune Polystichum Setiferum?

The Soft Shield Fern has established itself as an easy-to-care-for perennial fern. However, like all plants, it requires regular pruning to keep it healthy and growing strong.

As a general rule of thumb, the Polystichum Setiferum prefers to be trimmed back in the springtime. In the winter, you should limit pruning of your plant completely. As a result, you will find that this is not a task that is required on a regular basis.

If you want to make sure that your Soft Shield Fern is healthy and happy, it is necessary to prune the plant. You can also prune your plant as a means of treating for root rot or for other problems caused by overwatering.

Dead leaves is one reason that you may want to prune your Soft Shield Fern. It is common for the plant to lose dead leaves throughout the year as it grows.

If you want to get rid of these old leaves, it is recommended that you wait until spring when new fronds are growing.

This will help you to keep your plant’s overall appearance in mind.

Additionally, pruning your plant regularly can help curb its aggressive behavior and keep it from taking over other plants or bushes around it or from sticking out of containers.