1
00:00:08,550 --> 00:00:11,970
Hi, I'm Judy Mirro, a UVM
Extension master gardener

2
00:00:11,970 --> 00:00:15,240
coming to you from the
University of Vermont Greenhouse,

3
00:00:15,240 --> 00:00:18,420
and I'm here to help you
become a houseplant hero

4
00:00:18,420 --> 00:00:22,140
by providing some guidance on
caring for your house plants.

5
00:00:22,140 --> 00:00:26,160
Today, our focus is on
the asparagus setaceus,

6
00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:27,750
the asparagus fern.

7
00:00:27,750 --> 00:00:31,380
It's a beautiful green shrub
native to South Africa,

8
00:00:31,380 --> 00:00:34,890
and despite its name,
it's not a fern at all.

9
00:00:34,890 --> 00:00:37,890
It certainly looks like
one, and you guessed it.

10
00:00:37,890 --> 00:00:41,730
It's related to the
vegetable plant, asparagus,

11
00:00:41,730 --> 00:00:44,430
the one you might grow
in your vegetable garden.

12
00:00:44,430 --> 00:00:48,240
Asparagus fern makes a great
houseplant for novice gardeners

13
00:00:48,240 --> 00:00:50,250
because it doesn't require special care

14
00:00:50,250 --> 00:00:52,470
and it looks spectacular.

15
00:00:52,470 --> 00:00:55,230
It grows well in bright, indirect light.

16
00:00:55,230 --> 00:00:58,140
The brighter the light,
the faster it grows.

17
00:00:58,140 --> 00:01:00,942
It will maintain its dense, bushy mound

18
00:01:00,942 --> 00:01:05,910
as long as it's kept out
of bright, direct sunlight.

19
00:01:05,910 --> 00:01:09,120
The asparagus fern can
tolerate periods of neglect

20
00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:12,960
because it has tuberous
roots that store water.

21
00:01:12,960 --> 00:01:15,180
Of course, this plant will shine brightest

22
00:01:15,180 --> 00:01:17,100
with consistent watering.

23
00:01:17,100 --> 00:01:18,660
It's also the perfect plant

24
00:01:18,660 --> 00:01:20,370
for your kitchen or bathroom,

25
00:01:20,370 --> 00:01:24,420
since extra humidity will
do this plant wonders.

26
00:01:24,420 --> 00:01:27,030
The asparagus fern doesn't
require fertilizer in the winter

27
00:01:27,030 --> 00:01:28,680
when the sun isn't as strong.

28
00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:30,180
Feel free to stop fertilizing

29
00:01:30,180 --> 00:01:32,190
from December through early March,

30
00:01:32,190 --> 00:01:35,130
or you can choose just to
fertilize at half strength

31
00:01:35,130 --> 00:01:36,690
once a month in the winter.

32
00:01:36,690 --> 00:01:38,970
During the summer, feel free to fertilize

33
00:01:38,970 --> 00:01:41,580
your potted plant every other week.

34
00:01:41,580 --> 00:01:44,430
When the foliage yellows, it will drop,

35
00:01:44,430 --> 00:01:47,460
and it'll let you know the soil is too dry

36
00:01:47,460 --> 00:01:49,380
or there isn't enough light.

37
00:01:49,380 --> 00:01:53,400
Old or yellowed stems should
be cut back at the base,

38
00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:55,560
and the stems should be trimmed back

39
00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:57,690
to keep the plant's shape.

40
00:01:57,690 --> 00:02:00,123
If you wanna provide a little extra TLC,

41
00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:05,250
just mist your plant as often as you like.

42
00:02:05,250 --> 00:02:08,430
It'll help keep the entire plant happy.

43
00:02:08,430 --> 00:02:09,780
But if you're keeping the plant

44
00:02:09,780 --> 00:02:11,130
in the kitchen or bathroom,

45
00:02:11,130 --> 00:02:13,710
you've already provided
that little extra humidity,

46
00:02:13,710 --> 00:02:16,353
so no need to mist unless
you really want to.

47
00:02:18,270 --> 00:02:20,910
Like most plants, pests don't just show up

48
00:02:20,910 --> 00:02:22,980
unless the plant is stressed out.

49
00:02:22,980 --> 00:02:25,530
Asparagus ferns have very few pests

50
00:02:25,530 --> 00:02:27,330
other than aphids and mealy bugs,

51
00:02:27,330 --> 00:02:29,550
and maybe some spider mites.

52
00:02:29,550 --> 00:02:32,160
Remember to check for
pests every time you water.

53
00:02:32,160 --> 00:02:34,260
If you should find any pests,

54
00:02:34,260 --> 00:02:36,480
isolate your plant from
other house plants.

55
00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:38,670
You don't wanna invite the little critters

56
00:02:38,670 --> 00:02:41,040
taking up residency elsewhere.

57
00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:44,130
Hose the plant off gently
at the first sign of pests.

58
00:02:44,130 --> 00:02:46,740
Outside is best, but if
it's too cold outside,

59
00:02:46,740 --> 00:02:49,470
bring the plant into
the shower or the sink

60
00:02:49,470 --> 00:02:51,600
and give it a good indoor rinse

61
00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:53,763
to gently blast away those pests.

62
00:02:54,780 --> 00:02:57,810
Remove any infected stems
that should come off.

63
00:02:57,810 --> 00:02:59,280
Once your plant is drip dry

64
00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:01,020
while still in the shower or sink,

65
00:03:01,020 --> 00:03:03,572
give it a good spray of insecticidal soap

66
00:03:03,572 --> 00:03:06,240
and it'll kill off any bugs that remain.

67
00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:09,453
Stop by your local garden
center for their recommendation.

68
00:03:10,470 --> 00:03:12,540
Always make sure to read
the directions carefully

69
00:03:12,540 --> 00:03:15,810
and completely before applying
any pest control application.

70
00:03:15,810 --> 00:03:18,870
And remember to wear all
your required safety gear.

71
00:03:18,870 --> 00:03:22,140
Gloves and eye protection
are always a must.

72
00:03:22,140 --> 00:03:24,540
Over-loving this plant
is generally the cause

73
00:03:24,540 --> 00:03:26,130
of pest infestations.

74
00:03:26,130 --> 00:03:29,130
So remember to water only when necessary.

75
00:03:29,130 --> 00:03:31,860
Remember that by providing
your plants with the conditions

76
00:03:31,860 --> 00:03:35,460
and care they need, you too
can become a house plant hero.

77
00:03:35,460 --> 00:03:37,260
For more information on house plants

78
00:03:37,260 --> 00:03:39,690
or home gardens, visit the UVM Extension

79
00:03:39,690 --> 00:03:42,960
Master Gardener website and
see our Garden Resources page.

80
00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:45,030
Or contact an extension master gardener

81
00:03:45,030 --> 00:03:46,920
volunteer at the helpline.

82
00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:48,990
The phone number is on the screen.

83
00:03:48,990 --> 00:03:51,120
This is Extension Master
Gardener Judy Mirro

84
00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:52,893
wishing you happy growing.