Patience is key
"I managed to get the bares roots into pots just before they dried out from my own neglect. At first I thought I had missed my window but after a few weeks the shoots started appearing and by summer I had some healthy ferns. Unfortunately, the summer drought and milkweed bugs from a nearby plant totally destroyed the ferns before I got the chance to put them in the ground. Hoping this year I will be more attentive so I can add them under the trees in my yard."