Five Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Tree Ferns - Dicksonia antarctica
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- Опубликовано: 16 июл 2024
- Tree ferns are expensive and usual struggle to maintain their conditions in most UK gardens so to help stop the decline in quality check out my five mistakes to avoid when growing Tree Ferns - Dicksonia antarctica.
I you would like to see more content like this then check out this next video:
• Five Mistakes to Avoid...
Thanks Simon, really helpful! What a magnificent plant they are.
You are very welcome. Simon
Very helpful, thanks for taking the time to make this rather good video.
You are very welcome, and thank you for taking the time to comment. Kind regards, Simon
Fantastic explanation how to treat treeferns! Thanks a lot from Germany!
Hi Uwe, and thanks for getting in touch. I'm glad you found the video useful. Kind regards Simon
Hi, lovely video, whats that blue nutrition you are useing here to feed the plant?
Hi Dolardis, I'm using Miracle-grow for the tree ferns. Kind regards, Simon
Hi Simon love your channel. I am new to tropical gardening. Can I ask your advice on 2 points regarding tree ferns? Firstly whilst I understand they need plenty of water and where and how to water but what I didn't know is can you overwater? I was watering the trunk as well as top twice a day but the trunk felt very wet so have stopped this and now only water trunk when it looks dry and top twice a day.
Secondly how important is it to get them out of direct sun. I have had to put mine against a fence as is only place where it is in shade for more than 50% of day but this is not ideal as is not in place I can enjoy it. If I am watering correctly will they be able to tolerate more direct sun until I can grow a suitable canopy to give them more shade which in reality will be a couple of years?
Thanks Dave
Hi Dave, if you are in the UK then they are fine in full sun so long as they are getting enough water. I hotter climates then more shade is useful. If the tree fern is in good condition then i would say that soaking the trunk fully is only needed once a week. I water mine twice a day but as in a litre of water or so (depending on the size of the trunk) in the crown. Regarding overwatering, I would say you are watering a lot more than needed which will cause an issue regarding fertiliser availability. I imagine your leaves are more or a light green than a dark green. The fibrous nature of the trunk should mean that it is nearly impossible to have the roots damaged through waterlogging. I hope this helps. Simon
@@walkingtalkinggardeners Thank you Simon that is helpful and reassuring. My leaves are a lighter green so will give it some feed and reduce the watering of the trunk. Regards Dave
Great video and information about treeferns. Mines are still very young. Got them in Feb only but surprisingly they grew new fronds which are 2m long nearly. I am thrilled about that. I followed your recommendations about watering and Feeding. I have learnt that Alpaca Beans ( Shit actually) is good for treefern. I trew a handful into the crown and so they release some nutrients each time of watering.
Fronds grew 2m length this spring nearly, although got the stems only in Feb. Incredible !
I am curious how they develope the coming summer here in Germany.
Those fronds are a fantastic size at 2 metres. I wish you all the best on your tree fern journey. Simon 🙂
Hello Simon, thank you very much for answering all my questions about treefern growing so far. Let me ask you one more question: What kind of fertiliser are you using and at what strength? I remember you mentioning double or triple dose, right!? Sounds to me pretty strong but is that all right with the ferns?
As I had no experience with treeferns ever, I am very thrilled that mine are growing so well. I guess the Tipp of one grower with Alpaca Beans was just good. I found an Alpaca Farm in Austria which are dealing with their product. I tried it and threw a handful of these little Beans into the Crown of the Fern some weeks ago when the new growth started to emerge.
I think that was a good way of feeding since on each watering they are releasing bit of nutrients.
I do have another topic which is propagating Treeferns from Spores.
If you are interested in mor information how it work, I can provide with many information if you wish.
Had done this a good year ago and it worked.
Enough for today. Keep well
Uwe
Hi Uwe, and you are very welcome. I use miracle grow liquid soluble fertiliser. You can heavy dose it but only when the crown and trunk are fully soaked. I have a video that goes into detail on this too. Simon
Thank you dear Simon. This week I transferred the first big boy into the open. The biggest one is still in my greenhouse. He weighs quite a bit but this one is amazingly beautyful. Hope I an get him out with some strong men soon.
Have a great evening and many thanks for your quick reply. Love it! Uwe
You are very welcome, I hope you get a fantastic display from them this year.
Thank you so much for the short and informatiive video. Can I ask your advice my 9cm tree fern arrived with healthy leaves and I forgot to water it and the leaves have shrivelled. They turned brown and I cut them off. Now there seems to be no leaves. Will the crown produce new leaves again?
For such a young plant to lose its leaves will be bad. New fronds should be forming now albeit tightly curled within the crown. All you can do is keep the crown consistently moist and with luck the fronds will emerge on a month or so but its current condition would worry me. Good luck, Simon
You just answered so many questions. I'm in 9b California and curious about sunlight and heat. Yours look like they are in full sun. Should I lighten up and let them out in the open?
Hi Mick, I have them in full sun here. So long as they get enough water at the crown then they are fine. You may need to put micro irrigation in place to guarantee that. Temperatures over the summer tend to be around 26 to 28 Celsius which they have no problem coping with. I imagine it can get a lot warmer where you are, so you may need shade during the hottest part of the day. Kind regards, Simon
I used HSK Tree FERN liquid but its very expensive and tree ferns still getting smaller now for the last 2 years( could be due to cold winter last year and this year too,I am in Surrey UK)
Hi Dolardis, I am sure that HSK fertiliser is very good but I am not convinced by all these specialist fertilisers on the market these days. When I started we has baby bio and phostrogen! If the crowns are shrinking then check out my video exactly on this subject - ruclips.net/video/Um_yGGZvdCo/видео.html.
Hi Simon, firstly, thank you for all your helpful videos and advice. Secondly, please can you advise further regarding my tree fern. It's been doing very well until last very cold winter in the UK (it has great protection from frost in winter). Last year it produced no fronds, but I did not water it as much, on reflection, I should have watered it more (despite not great summer, I am near London). This year there are still no fronds, the crown is form to the touch, there was actually one black frond underneath which felt dry/crispy. So I am now watering with a hose everyday, can adding tree fern fertitiiser harm it in any way, given its not doing this well? Would you use fertiliser? Thank you.
Hi Aneta, and thank you for your question. This doesn't sound too good. If you have had no new fronds since 2022 then it looks like your tree fern has failed. In good condition you should get at least two cycles of emerging fronds. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
@@walkingtalkinggardeners Thank you for your reply Simom, I will give it a little wait and take it from there.
If I over-winter them in a greenhouse do they still need wrapping up, or is the greenhouse protection sufficient
Hi George, it all depends on what country you are from, what the overnight temperatures are and if the greenhouse is heated or not. But yes you would require less protection than if it were outside but more watering and feeding as it is more likely to dessicate under protection. Simon
They grow all the way up the east coast of Australia, and also having them in full sun is a no no, they grow naturally along small creeks in gully's which get filtered light. All your fronds are straight up as to avoid surface area of the sun.
Hi Baht, and thanks for your comment. Regarding the east coast of Australia, you are absolutely right with regards to needing the shade as your summer temperatures are almost 10 degrees Celsius higher there than it is here in the UK. It just doesn't get hot enough to worry about. This is why they grow perfectly fine in the full sun here, assuming they receive enough water. I dont know whether you put yours on micro irrigation, but i do. Without it it is very difficult to maintain top condition. Regarding the straight fronds. They are only like that when they emerge. They take on the more natural recurved habit once they achieve their full size, allowing the next set of frond to emerge unimpeded. I would be surprised if it isn't the same for those in their natural tasmanian habitat. In this video the previous years' fronds were removed as they couldn't cope with the -8 degrees Celsius winter they just experienced. I assume you dont ger that? We have had these on site for about 6 years now, and I haven't seen better in the UK, so I am confident in my management of UK grown specimens. Most other people's, including RHS Wisley, presumably treat them as you would suggest, but their condition is usually shocking with a good number of dead specimens. Kind regards, Simon
When do you turn off your dripper system and then restart it?
When do you remove the fleece?
Do you water extra in the winter at all?
Can i send you a photo of my tree fern? The fronds are so short and small this year
Can i revive it for next year?
Thank you
I turn off if freezing temperatures are due and put it back on when overnight temperatures rise above 5 Celsius. However during mild weather I will still water and give a monthly regular dose of fertiliser. Simon
Hi George! My tree fern lost its leaves since April-june. I never given it any feeds. We are now in November, can i give it some feed now and water it regularly and protect the crown please?
Hi there, unfortunately it's not a good sign if your tree fern has lost its leaves as this usually means the crown has died. That being said, if you are in the southern hemisphere and removed the fronds yourself then maybe the crown is still viable and you can make steps to rejuvenate it. I hope this helps. Kind regards Simon, not George.
Hi Simon, I grow mine in a glass green house and it get some direct sun. I realise the new fonds are turning dry and black and wonder if that’s sign of lacking water?
Hi there, and thank you for your question. Lack of water can certainly be an issue here but also likely to be way too hot in the greenhouse! It will depend which species you are growing and what country you are from. I have a video on how to water tree ferns in my RUclips video library if you want to find out more. Kind regards, Simon
Hi Simon once I have fleeced the tree fern as described for winter do I water it ? and if so how?
Hi Sue. Make a small hole in the fleece a bit above the crown within which you can fit a watering can spout. Water once a week between 1 and 3 litres depending on the size of the plant. Avoid watering during freezing temperatures and scrunch up the hole when finished. I hope this helps. Simon
At what month do you take the winter fleece off after the last frost?
Hi Carolyn, in the UK, it is usual to wait until the end of May for the risk of late frosts to pass. However, where we are on the south coast, we can remove frost protection at the end of April so long as long-range weather forecasts look good. Simon
Hello, I am wondering that your treeferns are planted in full sunlight. I always thought, that treeferns need filtered sunlight or shadow.
Can you tell me something about that topic, please?
I got two huge naked stems of treeferns in March from Tasmania , huge lovely stems which developed fronds of 2m length nearly. Unbelievable.
But what about sunlight? How do they cope with straight unfiltered sunlight in your garden?
I live in Germany which has a bit different climate . I’d appreciate a recommendation of your experience with gorgeous treeferns.
Thanks a lot and a big hug from Germany.
Uwe
Hi Uwe, and thanks for your question. In the UK I have no problem with them being in full sun so long as the crown gets enough water. Over the summer I will either water the crown daily or just put on a simple irrigation system to do the job for me. Its not hot or sunny enough here for it to be a problem. However in mediterranean countries or hotter I would keep them shaded over the hottest period of the day. Its all about watering. I go into more detail in a video on this. I am currently collating all my tree fern videos under one heading to make them easier to access but you can always key word 'tree fern' in my channels video list search engine to find it. Simon
Simon great advice on looking after Tree ferns. I bought mine hoping the fronds would be arching over nicely, but it's like a upside down shuttlecock and ideas? 🤔
Hi Paul, and thanks for your question. How long have you had your tree fern and are these small fronds you discribe new for this season?
@walkingtalkinggardeners I will have it 2 years in the summer 12 ft high and fronds 4 ft ? Fully extended old fronds but still heading for the sky 😂
On the face of it your tree fern sounds in good health although it's strange thst last years fronds haven't arched. I assume its dicksonia antarctica?
@@walkingtalkinggardeners yep it's the Dicksonia Antarctic and new fronds sitting level with the crown
It sounds like you are just too good at looking after it. The chances are that if last years fronds are in good condition they will probably start to curve down when the new fronds fully extend. Let me know how it turns out.
Your tree ferns look really healthy.
Thanks Catherine, it's just the result of loads of watering and regular fertiliser. Kind regards Simon
I planted last year it had three leaves but frost got them in end ,three new leaves have come up, should I water again and reseed and how often
Yes I would definitely start watering and apply a water soluble fertiliser. However there is too much information to give out using this message option. Go to my main channel page, click on videos then search tree ferns you will find a number of detailed videos which will give you all the information you need to know. Good luck.
Do they need protection in the most hot days of summer if planted in the UK?
Hi Pedro, and thank you for your comment. If they receive enough water then no, they don't need protection from the sun. They will need watering daily so you may wish to put them on micro irrigation to ensure this. Mine at home are not but others I look after are. Kind regards Simon
Hi, I've just bought a small tree fern with a ball like base. Do you still water and feed from the top? Many thanks
That will depend on the species. You can water from top but feed at the base. Simon
@@walkingtalkinggardeners thanks it's a dicksonia Antarctica.
Yes so while it's small water in crown and fertiliser at recommended dosage at the base. Once the crown and trunk establishes you can start feeding vi's the crown. Simon
Hmm would having a Dicksonia antarctica that's 1 meter tall better than a sapling that doesn't even have a trunk? My thoughts are that perhaps the younger plant over time would adjust to the UK climate better than fully grown ones but would take a long time to grow.
Hi Blooky and thanks for your question. 1 metre is way better. Plant acclimation as a theory was debunked centuries ago.
Hi, if the crown has narrowed is there a way of widening again? Thanks
Hi Lindsey, only by maintaining the watering and feeding regime. It should improve over time but it is so difficult to maintain conditions good enough to achieve the growth experienced in its native habitat. Perhaps global warming will allow winters mild enough for all year round growth! That will definitely improve crown width.
@@walkingtalkinggardeners many thanks for you reply. I will follow your your advice
If the top has already narrowed is there anything I could do 😢
No problem, check out this video - ruclips.net/video/Um_yGGZvdCo/видео.html
Hello Simon,
Sorry to bother you again with another question. How many fronds are being built during the growing season? Do they emerge in spring only or is there another shoot bundle growing later during the summer? What is your experience.
Thank you very much for responding and have a great weekend.
Kind regards Uwe
Hi Uwe, in my experience of being a self-proclaimed horticultural genius I get two flushes of tree fern fronds per year. One in the spring and one mid summer.
I thought those died with the dinosaurs
You know what, tree ferns were here long before the dinosaurs and are still here long since. They have every chance of outlasted humans assuming we stop logging their habitat and cutting them down for export. Simon
And yes I did contribute to that by buying them - I see the hypocrisy.
Mistake number one . . . don't try this in Alice Springs. Glad I live in Tasmania
Hi David, I absolutely agree. Hopefully, no one will genuinely try to grow cloud forest plants in the desert, but you can't trust anyone these days.😆
Shame about the cringy production but information useful
Hi David, I agree our early videos aren't good, but we have improved with time, and hopefully, you will like our more recent videos. Simon
Na, that’s messed up. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge Simon!
Perfectly great production and info