I agree, sand would be best to try first.

Clay watering is a little different, you’ll need to use two layer pots where the outside pot is water tight and the inside pot has holes. Clear pot inserts work best. Before watering you’ll have to check if the bottom is still wet and add water & food upto just below the roots. What you are aiming for is to add the exact amount of water the clay can obsorb.

I wonder if you can break up masquito dunks, aren’t they the same chemical? I have not had success with ferns in clay but epiphytes and ficus seem to love it.

I’ve been mixing mosquito bits in the pot/soil with great success. I toss in a handful about every 6 months. When I repot, I mix in roughly 1/2 cup per 4 quarts soil medium. Make sure the top inch of soil has a chance to dry out between watering. Make sure you don’t have water standing in your catch trays when watering. Switch out for aggregate clay or lava rock instead of a soil medium.