Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my Maidenhair Fern

Maidenhair Fern is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of misting the fronds in dry centrally heated rooms in the early stages and paid for it. root bound stunting in pots left too long without repotting also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a humid conservatory in a decorative pot which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. prehistoric elegance with delicate layered fronds is visible but muted. spectacular new crozier unfurling in spring gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.