Will Dryopteris Marginalis Grow In Wet Soil?

Will Dryopteris Marginalis Grow In Wet Soil?

Dryopteris Marginalis can grow in wet soil, but it prefers full sun, well-drained soil. The plants prefer the high moisture and constant wetness. Dryopteris Marginalis loves direct, full sunlight and will thrive in a dry environment.

Eventually the Dryopteris Marginalis can become dormant if the conditions are not right for its survival and growth.

Dryopteris Marginalis prefers moist soil to help it survive in harsh conditions. Dryopteris Marginalis prefers full sun but also needs well-drained soil. Dryopteris Marginalis prefers soil that has a pH of 4.5-6.5, it will not survive in alkaline soils.

Dryopteris Marginalis is shallow rooted, which means that they are very sensitive to moisture levels and areas with dense or compacted soil. When applying fertilizer or weed killers, make sure you get the soil on the roots of Dryopteris Marginalis, do not just spray the leaves.

Why Is My Dryopteris Marginalis Turning Brown?

The Marginal Wood Fern is generally green, occasionally it will be brown or a dark olive-green. When it turns dark olive or brown, it becomes very spongy and soft and will not return to its original color even as new fronds emerge with the growth of the plant.

When this happens, you cannot save the plant and should just discard it. The following are the reasons for Dryopteris Marginalis leaves to turn brown;

Too much light

If the Dryopteris Marginalis is grown in direct sunlight, it will cause the plant to turn brown. If you are growing the plant indoors, remember that they need partial shade at all times.

Dryopteris Marginalis is susceptible to lack of sunlight, but if the plant is exposed to full sun, it will turn brown. The Marginal Wood Fern requires very little light and too much may cause it to turn brown.

Underwatering

If you are watering your Marginal Wood Fern in the morning, it is best to avoid watering it later in the day. The leaves on a Dryopteris Marginalis can easily turn brown from being watered too late in the day.

If you water your Marginal Wood Fern in the morning, then do not water again till mid-afternoon, this will prevent drying of the leaves during the middle of the day.

Poor drainage

Dryopteris Marginalis prefers soil that drains rapidly and well. If the soil is compacted or water gathers at the bottom of a pot, then this may cause browning of the leaves.

Try to avoid planting dryopteris Marginalis in pots or container which have limited drainage holes. The roots of Dryopteris Marginalis are shallow and it is susceptible to damage due to lack of moisture which is essential for its growth.

Low humidity

Dryopteris Marginalis prefers humid environments and low humidity will cause the leaves to turn brown. Dryopteris Marginalis does not tolerate air conditioning or heating. Dryopteris Marginalis is not tolerant to cold and low temperatures and if the temperature drops below 32 F (freezing) it will turn brown.

Overwatering

When you water your plants, you must make sure that the soil is completely wetted. Over watering can lead to the roots becoming exposed to air and sunlight which will cause the leaves of a dryopteris Marginalis to turn brown. Over watering will decrease the ability of the plant to absorb minerals, oxygen and water which will cause the leaves to turn brown.

Lack of light

Dryopteris Marginalis requires very little light, but if exposed to direct sunlight for a long period of time, the leaves will turn brown. If you are growing the plant indoors, remember that they need partial shade at all times.

Excess fertilizers

Too much fertilizer will cause overgrowth of the foliage and will lead to browning of the leaves. If you grow a Marginal Wood Fern in a pot, then avoid giving them any type of fertilizer except houseplants and fertilizers from your local nursery.

High temperatures

High temperatures will cause Dryopteris Marginalis to turn brown. The leaves on Dryopteris Marginalis are very sensitive to low temperatures, but it does not tolerate high temperatures either. If the temperature exceeds 32 F (freezing), the leaves will begin to turn brown.

If your plant is turning brown, then you should consider replanting it into a new pot. Dryopteris Marginalis requires good drainage and will not tolerate wet soil for long periods of time. Make sure you water your Marginal Wood Fern in the morning so that the leaves do not turn brown from exposure to sunlight at the end of the day.

How Can I Tell When My Dryopteris Marginalis Is Ready To Bloom?

It may take up to four years for your Dryopteris Marginalis to bloom, the following are some signs that indicate when you plant is ready to bloom.

The Marginal Wood Fern will not flower if it is too young, this will ensure that the plant has reached maturity and is between 1-2 feet tall. Dryopteris Marginalis will flower when it has reached maturity and is at least 1-2 feet tall.

An adult Dryopteris Marginalis will have heart-shaped fronds which are shorter than the leaves. A young Dryopteris Marginalis will have round fronds which are longer than the leaves. A round frond does not indicate that your plant is mature, but a heart-shaped frond does.

The leaves on a Dryopteris Marginalis will turn black and then fall off. Do not be alarmed because this is perfectly normal and is the stages leading to the flowering of the Marginal Wood Fern.

After all the leaves have fallen off, your Marginal Wood Fern is now ready to flower. If your plant has reached maturity and still does not flower, you can use cold treatment which usually happens in early winter or late fall for about five days. The Marginal Wood Fern will flower when it has reached maturity and is at least 1-2 feet tall.

After the leaves have turned black, cracked and fall off, you will notice that the stipe of the plant begins to split open. It may take another one to two years for blooming of the Marginal Wood Fern after this happens.

Your Dryopteris Marginalis may appear to have reached maturity when for the first time you notice short-term exposure to cold temperatures does not kill the plant. The Dryopteris Marginalis will flower when it has reached maturity, which usually happens after 4 years.

How Do You Repot Dryopteris Marginalis?

When repotting a Dryopteris Marginalis, you must avoid over-watering the plant. If you cannot resist when watering the plant, then place it in a pot that has drainage holes and does not contain too much soil or rocks. Do not use pots of clay because they are too heavy for the Marginal Wood Fern and will cause the roots of the plant to become damaged. Repot Dryopteris Marginalis every two to three years or when it outgrows its pot.

The Marginal Wood Fern is an evergreen perennial and does not require soil that contains a lot of organic material. The roots are shallow and requires a soil that drains well so the plant can remain in good condition. Because of the shallow roots, it is not as easy to repot a Marginal Wood Fern as other plants. The following are the steps to follow when repotting Dryopteris Marginalis;

• Use a pot that has drainage holes and place it on a saucer to collect excess water.
• Remove the plant from the pot by inserting your hand in between the soil and the roots of the plant and guide it out of the pot. Pulling it out using force will damage its roots.
• Lower the plant into a bucket filled with water until it is completely submerged in water and gently remove any air pockets from around its roots.
• Separate the Marginal Wood Fern into small clumps and make sure that each clump has a portion of its roots attached.
• Transfer the Marginal Wood Fern into its pot that has drainage holes and place it in a mixture of equal parts of peat moss and soil.
• Fill your pot with some soil, but leave one inch of space at the top so water will not spill over when you water your plant or when you water your plant as part of regular maintenance.
• Place a layer of soil mixture at the top and water.
• Place your Marginal Wood Fern in an area with indirect sunlight and water regularly, the soil must remain moist but not wet. If you are repotting a young Marginal Wood Fern, then use half peat moss when repotting it so it can develop its roots more easily.

Does Dryopteris Marginalis Flowers?

Dryopteris Marginalis usually takes four to five years to flower, the following are some of the signs that indicate when your plant is ready to flower. When your Marginal Wood Fern has reached maturity and is at least 1-2 feet tall.

When Dryopteris Marginalis flowering, the fronds will turn black and fall off which is a normal process before it starts to flower. The stipe of the Marginal Wood Fern will begin to split open, which is another sign that indicates when your Marginal Wood Fern is ready to flower.

When the stipe of Dryopteris Marginalis begins to split open, do not be alarmed because this is a natural process before it starts to flower. The leaves on your Marginal Wood Fern will turn black and fall off which leads to flowering. The sunlight and rain trigger the flowers to bloom.

After all the leaves have fallen off and the stipe splits open, you may notice that your Marginal Wood Fern has reached maturity. Blooming of your plant usually starts after four to five years.