Moving ferns?

[witch-1]

Not sure this is the right place... I have an established fern in my garden and want to move it along abit.

Any ideas if this is a wise move or tips on how to do it?!?!

Thanks
Jan

[Grandpadragon]

Hi Witch-1
It is always best to move any thing during the dormant season and to take a big as possible root ball. Prepare the new site well and add compost Fern like acid soil. Also try to make sure you give it water for the first year after moving. I moved two, two years ago when we moved here both doing well.

[Alice]

I wish I knew how to move them. They're the biggest weed I have in my garden - and greenhouse. Seed all over the place and very difficult to get rid of. Be warned.

[witch-1]

Thats odd Alice, I have read about them seeding?? I have but one plant! No lil babies growing nearby.

I didn't move it in the spring when we where re-doing the garden as I wasn't sure it had survived our onslaught... but it has and now its in the wrong place. I have a bare patch near my new patio in mostly shade (except first thing)... I may give it ago if the weather dries up abit enough for me to dig two holes!!

Many thanks
Jan

[Snadger]

I saw a program on telly a while ago where they moved a huge fern (50 foot high?)
It was in the glasshouse at Kew gardens. They just took as much rootball as they could and literally rolled it on rollers to a position in the centre of the glasshouse!

As has already been mentioned, best moved when it is dormant though!

[Palustris]

Only thing I would add is to recommend watering thoroughly before moving and after. Give the fronds a spray with tepid water too, if they begin to droop.
Not all ferns need acid soil by the way there are a fair number which grow on limestone and a many do not care either way.
A technical point I suppose, but Ferns grow from spores, not seeds.