Boston Fern - what's up?

Astraeus

I have a relatively new (2 months old) Boston Fern in my bathroom. Its fronds are starting to turn in, darken and go crispy. They almost look like they've been burnt. The plant is in a humid room (~70%) and away from direct light (the window is south facing frosted). I mist it twice per week and have watered only very occasionally but the soil is still damp (and there is a very small amount of saprophytic fungus on the surface). I'm concerned that, not treated or remedied now, this 'scorch' is going to extend and ruin the plant.



Please can I ask for any thoughts on how to remedy this?

Thanks

A.

B3

Is the soil damp at the roots?
Does the pot have drainage?
Is it in a draught?
Is it near a radiator?
Too wet or too dry can make the leaves shrivel.

Astraeus

B3 said:

Is the soil damp at the roots?
Does the pot have drainage?
Is it in a draught?
Is it near a radiator?
Too wet or too dry can make the leaves shrivel.

Thank you B3. It is high in the room, at a height of around 1.8m, so it is not particularly close to a radiator, nor is it that close to a draught (although the extractor fan is about 45cm away). The pot does have drainage (it is in a plastic pot with holes in a decorative pot without, there being a 2cm gap from the bottom of plastic to the bottom of the decorative pot). The soil is, however, damp at the roots.

It seems like it might be more wet than dry. The guidance when I bought it was to water when the top inch of soil felt dry but the fern doesn't appear to take up all that much water. Is it better to mist more often and water less frequently?

Astro

Is it just were it is touching tiles or surfaces? I ask because if they are against a non porous surface it could be encouraging rot.

Astraeus

Astro said:

Is it just were it is touching tiles or surfaces? I ask because if they are against a non porous surface it could be encouraging rot.

It is certainly present where it is touching the wall, yes. And I guess the humidity in the room will cause there to be water on the tiles against which the plant leans. Presumably you are referring to rot from the fronds down, rather than anything in the roots? Root structure looks fairly healthy.

B3

In the meantime,you can snip off the dried bits if the rest of the leaf looks ok