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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2008 16:48:09 GMT
Probably a really embarassingly stupid question, but... Do you have to plant them? If so, how? Can't seem to find any info when I google  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 15, 2008 17:07:15 GMT
To be quite honest RM I have no experience of Tree Ferns at all - they really are magnificent aren't they. Certainly nobody here would plant one out - they are mostly kept in Conservatories but where temperatures are better and with overwintering help they do look marvellous outside. OM started a thread about overwintering them some time ago.....perhaps there are some good tips in there and I hope others will post.. gardenworld.proboards103.com/index.cgi?board=borders&action=display&thread=4601&page=1#124235RF |
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Post by andy on Feb 15, 2008 17:27:56 GMT
I've got mine in a pot but you literally just dig a big hole and then put the fern stump in to about 12" deep. I would then backfill with a rich loam mixed with lots of well rotted organic matter. A good tree stake might me needed for taller specimens.
I don't think that's the real important bit with tree ferns though....they have to be kept WET....especially the trunks. I was soaking mine every time i went down the garden. They also need lots of food...again up the trunks and also into the middle of the rosette of leaves. The more feed you give them (within reason) and the wetter they are, the better next years fronds will be.
Don't forget that in their native Austrailia, they are in the middle of the rain forests.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2008 17:38:35 GMT
Thanks RF and Andy  |
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Post by snowowl on Feb 15, 2008 17:44:50 GMT
Mine is in a pot to RM its been out all winter this year and still has all its green fronds on.
The frost dont seem to have killed them of this year.
I will still cut them of though later on.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2008 20:36:30 GMT
SO, how deeply planted is your fern? That's the bit that's confusing me. In andy's reply, he said 12 inches, but I'm assuming that that's for a reasonably large plant. Mine would be 2-3 foot tops  |
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Post by snowowl on Feb 15, 2008 21:14:28 GMT
My tree fern is only small i would say less than 2 feet.Its not planted very deep in the pot only about 6 to 8 " but it is small.
If you are getting a bigger plant then Andy is giving sound advice.
My neighbour has quite a few of various size and he just planted the stump about a foot ,
They do need watering on the stump and mine is in snade so are my neighbours.
They dont have roots RM they grow from the top.You are only planting to stabalize them realy.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2008 21:21:12 GMT
Thanks SO ;D May go on a bit of a tree fern hunt tomorrow... |
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Post by jean on Feb 15, 2008 23:28:25 GMT
RM if you are buying a fern in a pot, then its best to plant it in the soil at the depth it was in the pot - if that makes sense. I water mine from the top and they are in semi shade and have done fine  To buy one at a reasonable size is very expensive why not try a baby if you have the patience |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Feb 16, 2008 9:29:34 GMT
SO, how deeply planted is your fern? That's the bit that's confusing me. In andy's reply, he said 12 inches, but I'm assuming that that's for a reasonably large plant. Mine would be 2-3 foot tops The other replies give the story RM... and about a third of its 'trunklength' is the anwer: so, 8" is right for SO's two-footer, 12" maybe if nearer the three foot mark (Andy?). Almost certainly the one you buy, if not potted, will be a bare section of tunk. Until I dug mine out of the tub to move it, I thought they stayed that way and needed 1/3 buried to be stable. I still think that's partly true, but they eventually throw out a substantial fringe of roots to help anchor/feed themselves. OM. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2008 17:20:20 GMT
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Post by andy on Feb 16, 2008 18:06:02 GMT
You can usually aim for £20-£25 per foot with tree ferns.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2008 12:25:01 GMT
Erm, I know I'm being a pest, but another question! We travel a fair bit, and I'm worried about keeping a tree fern watered enough. What do you all do when you're on holiday? How long can it survive without bucketful's of water? |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Feb 18, 2008 9:20:08 GMT
Erm, I know I'm being a pest, but another question! We travel a fair bit, and I'm worried about keeping a tree fern watered enough. What do you all do when you're on holiday? How long can it survive without bucketful's of water? We've had the 'normal' quota of holidays while it was potted (or tubbed) and only bothered to give it a really good watering before we went. It seemed to survive ok but never had sun after late morning. If a neighbour could be persuaded to tip a wateringcanfull down it once a week it'd be good insurance... OM. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2008 10:41:34 GMT
Thanks for that, OM ;D I was worried about spending that kind of money and then having it snuff it when we travelled I was thinking of investing in one of those automatic watering systems anyway, but it's nice to hear that yours could cope for a bit without water |
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Post by carolann on Feb 19, 2008 8:52:12 GMT
Sorry to butt in RM, but my little fella has some new fronds trying to unfurl and the old fronds are looking all dried and wrinkled, do you cut the old fronds off each year and if so do you leave a little of the frond stem on?
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Post by oldmoleskins on Feb 19, 2008 9:07:53 GMT
Sorry to butt in RM, but my little fella has some new fronds trying to unfurl and the old fronds are looking all dried and wrinkled, do you cut the old fronds off each year and if so do you leave a little of the frond stem on? Ahhh you have discovered the illicit thrill of rootling around (but gently, gently) in the furry depths of a treefern to find frondlets, carolann... At this time of year (if outside) the old ones will be giving some respite from frost, but cut them off at the perimeter of the trunk later when all is safe. OM. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2008 9:33:04 GMT
We have many tree ferns our biggest being 8feet high and as wide but kept in the fernery under shadecloth, we have overhead sprinklers but in the hottest of days they get watered every evening
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Post by carolann on Feb 19, 2008 9:53:46 GMT
Thanks OM, my little fella is on the GH staging but I unwrap him and put him out during the day as its so nice and sunny, the frondlets are about 1" high and I didnt touch them they where just staring at me, honest.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2008 21:10:18 GMT
Well, a little update on my tree fern quest.... I seem to have aquired a tiny one from Wilkinson's (9.99  ). It is in a 3 litre pot, with maybe 4-5 inches of trunk above the soil line. It still has one frond (which I assume is from last year?  ) My question is, what do I do with it now? It is currently standing in the kitchen by the back door. Do I need to keep it in the garage for now? Does it need feeding and watering yet? |
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To buy one at a reasonable size is very expensive why not try a baby if you have the patience 
