Tree Fern

alanobrien

Anyone know the growing season for a Dicksonia Antarctica ?

Plenty of info about on these tree ferns on the web but not much specific about its growing season.

System

I've noticed that wilkinsons are seeling these now and £19.99. Huge thick trunks about 18" tall with only a couple of fronds.

Because they need to be protected, I'd have thought that even now, it is too soon to put them out unprotected. Likewise in the autumn they need to be brought in early.

They're strange old things with no roots at the base. I understand you water at the top in the centre and the water runs "in".

teapot2

There was a mention of them on Gardeners World last night - showed them having their protective 'fleece' removed after the winter. Might be worth checking out the website for info?? Sorry don't know anything about them myself.

QuidProQuo

I have three tree ferns (all about two foot tall) in my back garden which usually start to grow new fronds in mid/late spring. However I also have a four foot fern in the front which last year didn't start growing until mid summer. They continue growing right through summer to early Autumn.

I've only had the four footer for 18 months so I put this down to possibly poor growing conditions on the previous season (being transported to B & Q). A tree fern's performance is related to the previous year's growing conditions and these determine the amount of carbohydrates it manages to store in the leaf bases and central core. The more food manufactured and stored, the greater the quantity and quality of fronds produced during the ensuing growing season.

Although they don't have roots in the pots when initially purchased Dicksonia antarctica stumps will always re-grow significant root mats if given the room.

By the way I only paid £30 for the four foot tall fern from B & Q reduced from about £100!! They sell them off cheap towards the end of summer. :cheesy:

Dukie_Boy

HI alanobrien
According to RHS ENCYCLOPEDIA
They are half hardy to frost tender, min 5 degrees Humous-rich ,moist soil
needs semi shade
it says remove faided fronds regulary
be aware the ( Australian tree fern) in natural habitat can grow to H 30ft by 12ft wide
Good Luck
Dukie Boy

alanobrien

Thanks for all the responses.
It is interesting that they seem to be mentioned a great deal from many sources but very little is said about the growing season. Very odd, a great plant for a shady area though.

There is also much discussion on how best to water these things. Some say into the top of the trunk others say at the base. Given rain tends to fall vertically downwards (except on Dr Who last night ) I tend to water all over as well as the top..works well for me.

QuidProQuo

I water the whole trunk right through peak summer, I also rub compost all over the trunk once a year to help keep it well fed and use palm fertilizer in the water once a week.

So far I have never protected the crown in winter and I am not too concerned about it getting to 30ft tall at the moment as they only grow about an inch a year so that would take about 360 years :shocked: :shocked:

angelavdavis

I am located on the coast, and have a tree-fern that I originally moved from London five years ago (I have had it a total of 8 years).

I wrap my tree fern up before the first frost in fleece with pegs holding it in place and I have about four years worth of fronds on it now! Its huge!

They keep coming too!!

It was growing new fronds from May through to November last year - usually one every couple of weeks, the fronds that don't unravel by November sit there until it warms up again.

Contrary to common assumptions, they do grow roots, but don't need them to survive (hence you can buy them rootless. The roots are more to stabilise the plant, rather than the traditional use of roots - as they will retrieve nutrients through their "bark" which is made of previous years' fronds.

amcluesent

Just got one, to take the place of a mahonia which had got way too big. I guess I paid top-price, but at least you get to choose one where you can see the health of the fronds.