Tree ferns

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:03 pm

I just found a source(finally)in the U.S.where I can find some great tree ferns.
I ordered,C.medullaris,D.antarctica and D. squarrosa,for starters and I have a nice C.cooperi(Brentwood)
Tree ferns are my new passion for sure!
I was wondering if any of you guys have any pics,growing recommendations,cold hardiness experience or other knowledge/stories you can share with me?
Thanks-I will post some pics next week when they arrive

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:46 am

My local nursery carries D. antarctica. I bought a large trunked specimen in May and kept it in a large (5 gal.) terra cotta pot on the front porch, in shade except for the morning. In late June, we went out of town for a couple of weeks. Temps were in the lows 100s oF each afternoon and about 80 oF each morning. We had a house sitter with instructions to water it a lot, and I put it by the front door so she couldn't miss it, but it suffered greatly. I moved it indoors for TLC when we got home but could not save it and gave up by August. I'll try again this coming summer, but I am skeptical Dicksonia can spend summers outdoors here. It may be an outdoor plant Spring and Fall and a houseplant Summer and Winter.

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 8:42 am

What kind of prices were they? I know you said 5 gallon but how big is that, plants range so much? Did the have bigger ones?

Thanks,
Bill

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:48 am

Bill,
I think it cost US$20 and had a trunk of six inches or so. It was the largest this particular local nursery had that day.
--Erik

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:14 am

Thanks Erik

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:19 am

That's a wicked good price!
I think in your climate it would(in summer)need to have water morning and night and be in shade during that kind of heat.
I believe D.antarctica is one of the toughest too!

Laaz · Post by **Laaz** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:42 am

They are sold here in HD and Lowes all the time. They are not very hardy as far as the leaves go, with frost killing them back all the time

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:26 pm

Here's a buddies (Banana Joe) Dicsonia antartica on Salt Spring Island. I was over for a visit today and the thing looks way better in the flesh (hey ... but the photo ain't bad either).

Cheers, Barrie.

ronbruce · Post by **ronbruce** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:08 am

Such an amazing fern.

I had the opportunity to buy one this year but thought, as I'd be keeping inside, that I'd probably kill it.

Maybe I'll have to try one next year and try to give it lots of humidity.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:37 am

That is a beaut.
Looks like it is in a very good spot.
Beautiful green leaves!