- gihub
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weekly maintenance checklist
- moisture check:
- feel top 3–5 cm soil.
- if dry → deep-water ~10–15 l per clump;
- no standing water >1 hour.
- mulch:
- keep 5–8 cm organic mulch;
- fluff/top up;
- pull back 3–5 cm from the crown.
- feeding (if it’s a feeding week):
- compost tea or vermicompost extract 2–4 l/plant;
- rinse in with water.
- canopy & sanitation:
- remove yellow/old/diseased fronds;
- keep ≥3–5 strong fronds per clump;
- tie floppy fronds to open the crown.
- harvest for stimulus:
- cut tender shoots at 15–20 cm before unrolling;
- take ≤⅓ of new shoots per clump;
- rotate clumps.
- pests:
- check leaf undersides.
- if aphids/scale/mites → morning rinse + 1–2% soap or neem 5 ml/l;
- repeat in 3–5 days if needed.
- hand-pick slugs/snails or set traps.
- fungal watch:
- if spots/powder → spray baking soda 1 tsp/l + a drop of soap;
- improve airflow;
- avoid evening overhead watering.
- structure & spacing:
- clear debris in a 20–30 cm ring;
- thin encroaching shoots to keep 45–60 cm between clumps.
- drainage pass:
- after heavy rain, open channels so crowns never sit in puddles.
- log it:
- note date, rainfall, liters watered, feed (y/n), pests seen, and record amount of shoots harvested.
- site & soil
- bright shade (50–70% shade), high humidity, wind-sheltered
- deep, rich, constantly moist soil; lots of compost; ph ~5.5–6.5
- mulch 5–8 cm (leaves/coco husk/ straw) to keep roots cool and moist
- watering (maximize flushes)
- keep evenly moist, never waterlogged
- dry season: deep water 2–3×/week; rainy season: improve drainage, loosen mulch if soggy
- feeding (organic)
- every 2 weeks: compost tea or diluted vermicompost extract (2–4 l/plant)
- monthly: side-dress 1–2 kg mature compost/plant
- every 6–8 weeks: potassium boost for thicker shoots—seaweed extract or a small handful of wood ash/m² (rinse in next watering)
- canopy management
- always leave 3–5 strong fronds per clump for photosynthesis
- remove old/yellow or congested fronds weekly for airflow (less disease, more new shoots)
- harvest rules (don’t stunt the plant)
- cut tender shoots at 15–20 cm length, before unrolling
- never take more than ⅓ of emergent shoots from a clump at once; rotate clumps
- check every 2–3 days in warm, wet weather—frequent light harvests trigger more flushes
- spacing & renewal
- maintain 45–60 cm between clumps; thin crowded plants
- divide vigorous clumps every 8–12 months (rainy season): replant healthiest crowns at original depth with fresh compost
- pests & diseases (organic)
- slugs/snails: handpick, beer traps, copper barriers
- sap pests (aphids/scale): morning water rinse + 1–2% soap spray; encourage ants away from crowns
- crown/leaf spots: improve airflow, avoid evening overhead watering; weekly baking soda 1 tsp/l + a drop of soap if needed
- weekly checklist
- inspect fronds (pests/spots), remove old leaves
- top up mulch, ensure soil stays evenly moist
- harvest young shoots; rotate clumps
- tie up floppy fronds to keep crown open
- monthly checklist
- side-dress compost; potassium boost if shoots thin
- divide or thin any overcrowded clumps
- temperate note (ostrich fern, matteuccia struthiopteris)
- similar care but cooler, moist woodland shade; ph ~6–7
- harvest only 2–5 fiddleheads per crown per spring, then stop and let fronds grow out
- divide every 3–5 years in early spring
- important safety note
- avoid bracken fern (pteridium aquilinum)—it’s not recommended for eating.