Harts Tongue Fern

Took this from my parents garden last year. Apparently it's suppose to be evergreen ( Google) , mine looks as if it's unwell judging by it's leaves. I can't see anything about cutting it back in winter. Help, I really don't want to lose it as the parent plant was/ is next to my parents main pond. Desperate for advice, thanks.

 

I am not into ferns upsy but I would defiantly remove the saucer underneath especially at this time of year it maybe causing it to rot sitting in water. I'd have a look at the roots to see if they are rotting . You'll probably lose the leaves that have gone brown. Some of the leave are probably down to natural winter shedding .

 

By the look of the leaves. My first thoughts are. Wrong soil. Despite Hart's tongue fern ,Asplenium scolopendtium can be found growing in woodland and hedgrows, suggesting an acid/ericaceous soil. It actually requires a soil, growing medium of a very high calcarious content.
Might I ask. Having potted this plant up. Did it suddenly deteriorate rather than gradually die back, because this is what's taken place, IMO. Indications tend to suggest a sudden change has taken place.

I'd be inclined to repot it, disposing of existing soil/compost and using a medium to high chalky mix. Although sadly the plant may look bedraggled for a time. I'd remove all damage leaves. This will enable the rootstock to regenerate asap. I can well understand your anxiety as I know something about yout devotion and loving memories of you parents and their beautiful garden. I wish you all the best.

 

Ok thanks everyone

@Perki I will remove the saucer although I do empty it after each rainfall.I will check out the roots tomorrow.

@Mike Allen it's in the soil that it grew in at my parents, and there was loads of it growing well so I don't think it's that.

It was potted up in July and has been fine until the last month...I thought perhaps the frost had caused it.
I will replant it after checking the roots.




@ARMANDII , yours are beautiful, that's how my Dad's looked too. In all honest I didn't intent for it to remain in the pot ,but just got distracted with closing down and selling the property. I then thought it would be too late in the year to shock it with another move, would now be ok do you think?

 

How pathetic. Sorry.

 

Not at all @Mike Allen and I certainly value your wise words. Please promise never to think that of yourself.

x

 

Thanks @shiney , yes must admit that my Dad's are in a shady area and multiplied!!!
Fingers crossed that it's only sulking for being restrained in a pot.

 

I have a number of thes that have sprouted up in various places (self spored?) occasionally one looks extremely tiredand battered, but they generally pick up. I have another fern that also pops up in a few places I keep meaning to give them some more attention. Perhaps I'll get round to posting some photos this next year.

 

How about cutting it right back now....and thoughts.