THIS IS AN UPDATE ON MY HAPA FERN
I purchased my Hapa Fern in Hawai'i two years ago. It was a bulb about the size of a lemon. I brought it home, knowing that I would soon have a beautiful Hapa Fern like those I saw on the Islands. It didn't quite work out that way for me.
When I got home from the Islands, I potted my precious Hapa Fern bulb in a potting mixture of soil, moss, perilite, and lava rock pieces. I watered it and waited patiently for it to sprout. It didn't! I kept it in a sunny location and waited. Nothing happened! I waited! Not giving up, I moved it to another location. This time I made sure that it was in a shaded location but kept moist and warm. Nothing happened!
Summer time came, so I moved it outside in the warmth of the summer. I kept it in a sunny location, making sure that it was moist at all times. I waited patiently. Nothing happened! I felt that my Hapa Fern was doomed. I didn't give up on it quite yet. Time came for the plants to be moved back inside, for it was turning cool in the Autumn sun. I moved it back with the rest of my tropical plants and waited. Nothing happened! I was sure that the bulb was beginning to rot on me. I was beginning to lose faith. I started to neglect the pot with the Hapa Fern Ball in it and just gave it a drink of water every once in a while. I would peek in to see NOTHING. All I saw was the top of the bulb, which I figured by now was a loss. I took the bulb out of the soil and examined it. I didn't see any signs of rot so I replaced the bulb back into the soil again. SO, I waited! Nothing happened.
While watering in the plants this spring, I saw something on the top of the soil. I looked closely and wondered, "is this what I think it is"? Behold...it was! The first frond of the Hapa Fern had appeared. I was shocked and at the same time I was so thrilled. I wanted to make sure that all was well before I put an update on the Plant Page. SO, here it is. It now has the 3rd frond coming out of the soil. So, don't give up on your plants. I was about to throw out the Hapa Fern Bulb that I brought back from Hawai'i. I was so thrilled to see the frond.
I put it out this summer to grow in the warm months. It is now back inside with the rest of my tropicals. I am so thrilled to see this beautiful fern growing so well. And to think that I was about to give up on it. I did wait longer than most would have. I suppose that it is a bit harder to start than other bulbs are. It is worth the effort though. I am so glad that I didn't toss it out. Now that it has three fronds on I know that it is growing well for me. I wanted to add this to the Plant Page now. Another chapter of Tammy's growing experience for you. I have made mistakes with my plants also. I have overwatered, underwatered, burnt with hot sun, and had in too much shade. I have made many mistakes, and hope that you can learn from me as I learn.
HAPPY GROWING....Little Hapa Fern
