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Tree Fern problem

Hi - I would be so grateful for any advice anyone can give me please.   I planted a 5 foot tree fern first week of May - doing all the right things re watering every day but the fronds are exactly in the same place as when I bought it.  They are green and feel firm and healthy but have not moved an inch in the six weeks.  I would really appreciate some advice.  I should say I have a 3 foot fern growing in the same area that has triple layers of fronds unfurled with a span of about 5 feet at the moment.   I cannot understand why it has not even begun to emerge.  

Posts

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Something of that size will take a while to establish.  Depending where you are located, the weather in May was not so good.
    There is more than one  available these days - D. antarctica is the best for the UK. Is the centre healthy ?
    I have a feeling @Pete.8 is experienced with Tree Ferns so perhaps he could advise you :)
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Not me Philippa - I've a fern of some sort in the garden under a tree, but that's it.
    Hope you manage to get it growing.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Agree with @philippasmith2 . Tree ferns need time to establish just like any new plantings.
    Ours suffered badly in April with all the frosts and cold winds even though they were fleeced.
    In the last 2 weeks they have decided that they are prepared to grow and are producing brilliant fronds.
    The trunks are watered every day if we haven't had rain.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Oops - sorry @Pete.8 - could have sworn it was you !

    I suspect it is simply a matter of time and better weather but hopefully the person I'm thinking of will spot the thread and confirm or otherwise.
  • Thank you for the very swift responses - the centre is healthy - the “knuckles” of the fronds are green and firm if I rub some of the brown hair off.   I water and mist the trunk every day.  I have been told to water from the top also - should I ? I’m afraid I may create rot as it’s not growing.   Should I wrap it in fleece or protect it from any winds ?   Thanks once again.  Eileen
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Don't fiddle with the centre - sorry that sounds rather bossy - not meant :)

    Presumably you have planted him in the ground ?  What sort of soil and prep did you do ?  Presume also you have him in shade/dappled shade ?  I think you are correct in watering from the top - it will keep the trunk alive but you are still after establishing the whole plant which will take time.

    You don't give your location but you shouldn't need to be protecting with fleece by now.

    I have tried the Search facility to see if I can figure out the poster who has experience of Tree ferns bu not much luck I'm afraid.  You could try it and see but there is still a chance that the person will spot this and come to your aid.

    I still think that establishing a plant that size given the rubbish weather we had earlier is the likeliest cause.

    Best of luck anyway :)
  • Thank you so much.  It’s Dicksonia Antarctica and I am based in Kildare in Ireland. Weather is mostly mild.  Our last frost was well finished before I planted it.  Did good ground prep - good loam soil with adequate water retention. In lovely dappled shade.  Thanks so much to everyone who has given me advice.  I only joined today and didn’t expect this much help.  You are all very kind. 😊
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited June 2021
    Hi there, I planted a two foot unrooted Dicksonia antarctica trunk in late April and was convinced it was in a permanent state of shock and not going to recover!  However, in early June the first frond started to emerge and there's about six others getting ready to follow.  As well as daily watering, I have been applying a weekly feed of seaweed extract to the trunk, crown and planting area and this may have encouraged it into action. There's an excellent video about tree fern care on Todds' Botanics website, recommended to me by another poster, @marran, when I first joined the forum.  I hope this helps you too: Buy Dicksonia Tree Ferns UK Delivery (toddsbotanics.co.uk)
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Thank you so much - excellent video and very insightful.   I will do the weekly feed from today - 👍😊 
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