Ferns: Friend or Foe for Your Orchids?

​We love ferns but don't let them get mixed up with your orchids. Ferns are orchid foes not friends!

This may sound counterintuitive in that ferns and orchids are both epiphytes. So, by definition, they derive their nutrition from air, rain and their surroundings. Neither harm their host plant, but when grown side-by-side, ferns and orchids can act like young siblings fighting for attention. If you want your orchids to thrive, it’s best to remove the foe before it can do any damage.

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​Just like in your yard, if you don’t keep an eye on it and perform regular maintenance, ferns and weeds grow quickly. Both grow much faster than orchids and will trump your orchids for water, aeration and nutrients. So, what should you do to get rid of this competition?

The best approach is to remove ferns and weeds at first sight. It is much easier to get rid of a fledgling fern before it has time to dig deep into your pot and develop a root system. Use tweezers or your fingers to carefully remove the entire weed or fern making sure you get all of the roots and not just the leaves.

If these pesky plants are too mature to pull, it is time to repot. Once you have removed your orchid from its pot, you will likely be astonished by the size and number of fern rhizomes that have taken over. The good news is, you are catching the problem before the fern or weed chokes out your orchid. 

It is important to completely eliminate the entire fern or weed root system even if this means cutting (with sterile clippers) some of your orchid roots. In the long run, it’s the right thing to do. Carefully wash your plant with water and use an old toothbrush to clean off the papery sheaths from pseudobulbs and canes. Fern spores are virtually impossible to see, so this step is important to prevent new ferns from developing.

Discard all of the old potting media and sterilize your pots for reuse. Replant your orchid with fresh, sterile potting medium that is appropriate for your particular orchid. Better-Gro offers a variety of plant mediumsthat can be purchased at your local garden center or home improvement store.

These simple steps will help ensure that your collection remains an orchid collection rather than a fern collection.

Happy Blooming from Better-Gro!

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