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Tree fern has a red intruder

shadypmshadypm Posts: 68
in Problem solving
Hello all, 

Would appreciate some light on this odd discovery. Upon checking my fern tree for new growth I was met by no fronds but this red shiny gunky blob. It makes my tummy turn when I see it so didn’t take a photo. I could if anyone would like to see it…

Any ideas what this red gunk is please?
I remember seeing stuff like this on barks of trees when wet/damp.

Thank you,

S 🌼🌿

Posts

  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    It sounds like what has happened to one of ours. It has rotted out and the "fronds" now are "gunk". We had covered them up from all the frosts but maybe left the coverings too long. Now all have been taken off and we wait and see.
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    As the 'trunks' of tree-ferns are literally their roots , any severe frost damage can be resolved by simply sawing the top of the trunks down to where the material is still intact and shows no damage .
    Usually a slow process having done this with one of my own ; took several months for the new fronds to emerge from the sawn crown , but far better than discarding the entire plant ..........just be patient .
  • shadypmshadypm Posts: 68
    bertrand-mabel said:
    It sounds like what has happened to one of ours. It has rotted out and the "fronds" now are "gunk". We had covered them up from all the frosts but maybe left the coverings too long. Now all have been taken off and we wait and see.
    I too had left the coverings on too long. As you say, wait and see. Thank you.
  • shadypmshadypm Posts: 68
    Paul B3 said:
    As the 'trunks' of tree-ferns are literally their roots , any severe frost damage can be resolved by simply sawing the top of the trunks down to where the material is still intact and shows no damage .
    Usually a slow process having done this with one of my own ; took several months for the new fronds to emerge from the sawn crown , but far better than discarding the entire plant ..........just be patient .
    Thank you for the idea. Would I saw maybe the first 3 inches off? I will see what it does in the next month before the saw.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I think you are wise to wait and see @shadypm.  If you cut too much off the trunk you risk removing the entire crown which will result in no further frond formation and the trunk will eventually die.  I'm interested to read that  @Paul B3 had success with this cut back but I would have thought that this was more of a gentle removal of the worst of the decayed tissue rather than a "cut the trunk in half" operation!  May be he could kindly confirm this.  
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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