Why is my air fern shedding and becoming so dry??

Question

I have it on the kitchen window sill. It was doing very well there midsummer. It was sending out long shoots and looked very green and happy. Now it just will not stop developing dry and dead ends. Dirt is moist, no one appears to be touching it. I remove dead stems with scissors. I can't think what might have changed. I hate to watch it dwindle away.

Answer 1

This is presuming that you have an "Asparagus fern," which some people call an "air fern." Asparagus ferns are Asparagus setaceus, a member of the lily family (see the link below for a picture). There were "plants" sold for a while called "air ferns" that were some sort of dyed seaweed, but of course, those won't grow.

"Dry" is your clue; it's not humid enough where your plant is. Get a clear saucer (such as you'd put a plant in to catch drainage); fill it with pebbles, and fill THAT with water ALMOST to the tops of the pebbles. Set the plant on it, and it will help increase the humidity in the vicinity of the plant. Be sure and keep an eye on the water level in the saucer; you may be surprised at how fast the water evaporates. Keep the water level below the bottom of the pot so that it doesn't develop rotted roots.

You can also use a cool-mist humidifier to increase the humidity in your room in general; most people don't realize how dry their houses are, especially once you turn on your heat for the fall. A higher level of humdity is good for you AND your plants! :-)

Answer 2

Air Fern

Answer 3

You say your air fern is growing? I hate to break it to you, but an air fern isn't even a plant. It is a dead sea creature that has been dyed green and sold as an "air fern". You are right in that your "air fern" may be too dry though. Try moving it somewhere it will get a little humidity. I have one and I keep it in my bath room and has kept it's color and shape for years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_fern
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/PLANTanswers/housepl/airfern.html
Sorry :(

Edit:
I've never heard of someone calling an asparagus fern an "air fern". However, if you are referring to an asparagus fern then the same procedure would hold true for it. It needs lots of humidity to do well and you can either hang it in your bathroom or setting it in a saucer of pea gravel and water will help dramatically. I also have an asparagus fern and it lives in the bathroom as well. Ferns of all types absolutely love the steam that comes from the shower.
Good Luck and I'm sorry if I misunderstood but I only know of one "air fern" and that's the dead sea creature I mentioned above.

Answer 4

Definition of FERN
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/fern
fern (fûrn)
n.
Any of numerous flowerless, seedless vascular plants having roots, stems, and fronds and reproducing by spores.
............................................................
Since ferns do not have seeds but rather reproduce by spores that what you have is not a fern. Perhaps a relative of the fern.
The asparagus fern has several varities some are edible asparagus and some are ornamental.
Maybe what you have is the ornamental asparagus
fern. Because THEY do have seeds.
Propagating asparagus fern: By seed
(must be fresh) or by division. It's most readily available as started plants.
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Link for possibilities of care
http://home.howstuffworks.com/asparagus-fern.htm
*****Growing asparagus fern:******
Key factors to good growth include moderate water, a rich, well-drained soil, and full sunlight. Asparagus fern will tolerate low light (even existing satisfactorily as a house-plant), but growth will be diminished. Asparagus fern is a gross feeder; at planting use a slow-release fertilizer lasting summer long or feed weekly with a water-soluble fertilizer mixed at half the recommended strength.
*****************************
What is commonly called
In stores are also sold as "air plants" and "air moss".
Actually the skeletal remains of a tiny sea animal called Sertularia, a distant relative of coral. The skeletons look like ferns and have extremely fine foliage. They are then dyed green.
Open the link below for the real scoop.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/PLANTanswers/housepl/airfern.html
WHAT EVER KIND IT IS GOOD LUCK!

Answer 5

The season is changing. Some plants are effected by this~b/c the house climate is changing too. The nights are cooler and you do have it on a window sill~my plants go in the bathroom for a week or so when they turn punky. It's like a mini greenhouse! See what happens. I put one of those Molly hooks in the ceiling right over the tub...serves as a plant triage area. Doesn't look bad either. Good Luck.

Answer 6

They aren't alive, just a sea creature dyed green. There is however, The Rose of Jericho, Resurrection plant, or Anastatica hierochuntica It's a primitive plant with the ability to look dead and come alive. RScott

Answer 7

The humidity in the air has changed with the changing seasons. Try misting it every few days after you have cut the dead away.

Answer 8

I don't know