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Tree fern on its last legs

monica5BGywCPUmonica5BGywCPU Posts: 5
in The potting shed
I have had a tree fern for about 20 years and always diligently wrapped it up over Winter and tried to water it as much as I can during the Summer.  We are in the south-east.
It used to be in perpetual shade with a large conifer behind it, but that had to go and now it is much more exposed to light, although I am growing some very tall grasses behind it.
Over the past few years it has had fewer fronds, although still full size, but this year I really thought it had died, because there were no little "knuckles" in the crown to open into fronds.  However, last weekend I noticed there is a tiny little green frond and this weekend there is another curled up about to open.  Hope this is understandable from the photo below.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can save my dear old fern?

Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    The crown is still viable so there's hope!  The most important thing I've found is to keep the trunk and crown moist.  I would saturate the whole trunk and crown now using a hosepipe and then apply a watering can full of water to the trunk and crown every day until dormancy.  I also apply diluted seaweed extract to the trunk and crown of my tree fern weekly from March to September which seems to help.  You can also improve the growing conditions by applying a thick layer of organic mulch close to the base of the trunk. To improve the appearance you could also cut all the remaining frond stumps to the same height, but I'm fussy!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They do prefer dappled shade, so removing the conifer has caused the problem unfortunately. 
    As long as it's still viable, which it seems to be, I'd follow the advice given by @Plantminded ,and perhaps consider some temporary screening for summer weather as you're in one of those areas that gets long periods of heat/drought. 
    Once your grasses offer some shade, that should help.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • monica5BGywCPUmonica5BGywCPU Posts: 5
    Thank you both for the replies.  I think I had guessed that the removal of the dense shade was the problem and should have erected something up behind it to keep the light level down.  I have just watered it with a can of dilute seaweed fertiliser and will try and get as much water over and into it as possible in the forthcoming days and weeks.  Isn't it easy to get sentimental over some plants?
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Water is really important.  Because of the large surface area of the fronds they lose water quickly if not shaded or sheltered. Mine actually gets full sun until about 2pm in summer. There’s one I regularly see on one of my walks which isn’t in any shade at all which surprised me!  Also, in winter try to keep the crown well aired by not covering the crown or fronds when temperatures are still above freezing. This does involve close weather watching but it will prevent rotting if the crown is too wet and later freezes.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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