Ferns and orchids

[Jeff214]

I have a fern growing with a den spectabile. I liked how it looked and left it in there. However, it's gotten large and I worry if it's chocking the orchid... Perhaps it's not a big deal since the dens been actively pushing new growth.

Should I mow down the fern?

[Orchid Whisperer]

Don't fix what isn't broken; I would leave as-is for now.

I have heard that ferns growing in with orchids can be detrimental to the orchid over time. Next time you repot, consider moving the fern to its own pot.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

I have heard that ferns growing in with orchids can be detrimental to the orchid over time.

Yeah, I have heard the same. Mind you, I have a fern growing with a mounted Cattleya, and because it is on a mount, the fern is pretty stunted.

I am keeping an eye on it, and if the orchid does start to suffer, the fern will be history, even tho it does look nice.

[katrina]

I pull any and all "weeds" from orchid pots. Some have roots/rhizomes that can quickly take over pots and they compete for water and nutrients. IMO, they must go.

[Ray]

I'm with Katrina on this one. Ferns especially, as their roots are very invasive.

[jkofferdahl]

Ferns are quite invasive, and can crowd an orchid completely out. You want to get the fern out of the pot as soon as possible. Ferns develop HUGE rizomes which will quickly crowd your orchid's roots out. You can kill the fern with a Roundup treatment but your best bet is to repot the orchid, and in doing so remove all traces of the fern.

Look at the December issue of the AOS magazine for a good article on this.

[jrguevar]

What about using ferns to give shade for our orquids, I mean in diferent pots. I have an orquid that is surrounded by ferns and does seemly well, could be just by chance but will it be a problem to use them like this in general?...

[MrHappyRotter]

Originally Posted by jrguevar

What about using ferns to give shade for our orquids, I mean in diferent pots. I have an orquid that is surrounded by ferns and does seemly well, could be just by chance but will it be a problem to use them like this in general?...

Most ferns and orchids (big generalization here) appreciate very similar conditions, so ferns make great orchid companions (and vice versa). Grown side-by-side, but in separate pots, is the way to go if you have the room for it and enjoy ferns (I do).

However, when you grow ferns in your collection, you have to be prepared for them to pop up in your orchids' and plants' pots from time to time. I usually let them grow out a bit in the pot and then remove them after they're large enough to be potted up separately.

Some ferns are more of a pest than others. I don't keep the type of fern that Jeff214 has because they tend to get out of hand very quickly. In that case, I just pluck them when they show up. I forget the name of this type of fern, hopefully someone else will chime in. I don't like them because they produce straggly, rhizomatous growths (long runners), and because they grow so quickly and tangle their roots in with the orchid roots. So when it comes time to repot or separate them, it's tough to do without harming the orchid. On the other hand, if you give in, and leave the fern with the orchid, the fern will eventually choke out the orchid. Its roots will take over the pot and reduce air flow to the roots, and the leaves will out grow and over shade the orchid.

[bil]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Ferns are quite invasive, and can crowd an orchid completely out. You want to get the fern out of the pot as soon as possible. Ferns develop HUGE rizomes which will quickly crowd your orchid's roots out. You can kill the fern with a Roundup treatment but your best bet is to repot the orchid, and in doing so remove all traces of the fern.

Look at the December issue of the AOS magazine for a good article on this.

Trust me a touch of roundup on the fern and it is history.

In a pot, yeah, I would never tolerate a fern with an orchid.

[Jeff214]

Thanks for the advice. I will get rid of the fern. I may try roundup since I don't think I'll report this orchid yet.