tree fern

Hi folks..i`m considering getting one of these but was wondering,given that Dicksonia Antarctica requires at least SOME shade,how could i provide such shade ?(the space i have is in the open).BTW,looking at getting a 5 footer. cheers....freddy

 

Hi Freddy

We have 2 Dicksonia Antarticas - a 4 foot and 8 1/2 foot trunk. They are both out in full sun, no shade and doing ok - mind you, there has been such little sun this summer, it is as if they are in shade!!!!!!!

When it is hot and sunny, the most important thing is to keep them well watered - and LOTS of it. We water ours down the middle from the top - run the hose on them and let it trickle for an hour or so when dry, and them now and them spray the trunk. Some say not to water down the middle, but by this method, the water really gets where it is needed most, and if you water round the bottom, it just wont normally get enough water to penetrate through to the middle.

Is it going to stay out in the winter?? If so, it needs to be protected from the frost - we just stuffed the crown with hay, but we don't often get a sharp frost. You must let the air circulate, else it will rot(ie don't cover it with a dustbin liner)

Hope this helps!!

 

BM - just seen you last post - worm poo!!!!???? Got a wormery now? Is it any better (and less smelly) than the chicken poo????


Freddy - we (and others) feed ours copiously with liquid chicken poo. (watering can with chicken poo pellets dissolved in) Smells like someone had died in it, but, boy does it make the plants lush and green!!!!

 

Liquid chicken pellets is what I have always fed mine with
It does fine

 

Thanks for the info....was just concerned it could get burnt

 

Hi I'm a newbie around here. I have a tree fern that I've had for 4 years now (5 footer). The first year was great 5ft long fronds, since then the fonds haven't shown until late august early september then if I'm lucky only 3 which end up at about 9in long. I've read the posts on this thread and yesterday got the chicken pellets and dissolved a handful in water. The advice I was given when I got it was not to water the crown. That lasted 2 years and now I water the whole trunk and crown, also I was advised to feed early in the year with diluted seaweed extract.

Any more advice would be appreciated as so far this year I have no fronds.

Thanks in advance

Craig

 

I ordered a young tree fern - dickinsonia Antarctica - and received the one in the photo. Not sure what to do with in. Any suggestions would be helpful

 

Hiya greybelle
It will need protection this winter so in a greenhouse or windowsill.
I would pot it into a slightly bigger pot too

 

Thank you Verdun. What about watering? With mature plants the trunk is watered but this little fellow doesn't have one so I've just been spraying it.

 

I wòuld continue with the (light) spraying over winter greybelle

 

Are you sure it is alive, I would have expected some green fronds.
I grew some from spores many years ago and they never looked like that.

 

To be honest, I wondered if it was a live specimen too. I had expected something better. I think I'll send a pic to the garden company but, in the meantime keep it frost free and watered. Thanks a lot.

 

In that case greybelle, yes contact garden company asap.
You should receive a replacement or refund and hopefully be able to hang on to your plant too.....not the easiest thing to determine if it is alive or not.
Let us know how you get on