I know this is a bit off topic. But my workout space where I ride my trainer is a bit drab. I am thinking about adding some houseplants to improve my fun shway. I always liked the way a nice fern looks. Does anybody raise ferns? Can you recommend a variety. I was thinking about either a Boston, Air, Tuberous Sword, African or European. Are they easy to care for?

Thanks.

Jeff

The Boston is definitely the cheapest in the US and has the best oxygen production AFAIK because it is larger and has the longest fronds. A larger indoor plant however would produce even more oxygen. If oxygen production is your most important criteria, I suggest a leafy large plant/tree such as a Ficus.

The two most popular ones you'll find at your nursery are the common ficus... and the variegated ficus. The former's leaves are green. The variegated ficus has either white or yellow perimeter streaks in the leaf pattern. I prefer the white-streaked variegated ficus... as it blends better with most interior decor. I suggest you get the biggest ficus plant you can find that fits in your room. It might cost more... but the looks and oxygen production are worth it. And don't be dismayed when your ficus sheds its leaves soon after you move it in. This is a common response from the plant when you change its environment or even change the amount of sunlight it gets. The plant will soon recover with new foliage as long as you don't water it too much.

improve my fun shway

In Reply To

  Feng Shui?

I'm not entirely sure what you mean? The plant absorbs 90% of it's nitrogen from the soil in it's pot. Just use a common interior plant food. Miracle grow products are good. But don't overdo it. Too much nitrogen in the soil can burn the outer roots. Get the biggest pot you can find. And it needs light. It is a semi-tropical plant from Asia that ends up being a huge tree in the wild (a fig tree).

There shouldn't be too much nitrogen emitted from the leaves. If you are worried about toxins produced by the plant... you can have a test done on a typical air sample from the room. On a typical day swirl a small plastic bottle bottle around in the room and close the lid tightly. Then send the sample off to the Environmental Protection Agency, Air Testing Laboratory. I think they are charging a small fee nowadays for this service, so you may want to check their website.

But realistically, the risk of toxins especially nitrogen and carbon monoxide are very small. An ionising air purifier would probably be sufficient to take out most common impurities.

You know. I am still diggin the idea of a few nice ferns. Maybe I can combine a ficus and fern in the mix. Anybody ever try those new silk ferns. Kinda cool. I don't know how you clean them though. I've seen some dusty silk ferns in my life. It ain't pretty.

In Reply To

  You know that silk ferns have much less oxygen production than natural ferns don't you?


I like the idea of a ficus/fern mix though. These plants occur together in the wild.

In Reply To

  Yeah, but it keeps the cats from eating them...

John

In Reply To

  Yeah, but it keeps the cats from eating them...

John

Cool. Would a fan do the same thing as an ionizer?

Do you have a picture of a Boston and a ficus together? I am trying to get a sense.