Tree Fern planting depth

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by JWK, Jun 5, 2011.

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  1. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Bought a 7 foot Dicksonia antarctica, it's just a log, no roots, no container. So how deep should I plant it? It is heavy so I wondered if I should stake it until it establishes some roots?

    I'm thinking it should be at least 18 inches.

    I'm not keen on using a stake as it won't look too nice, but I don't want the thing to topple over.
     
    JWK, Jun 5, 2011
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  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I dont know John, cant help.

    I guess you just keep hitting it with the sledge hammer until it wont go any further.:scratch::D

    Or you could just concrete it in avoiding using a stake.
     
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      pete, Jun 5, 2011
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      Thanks pete, at least you're honest about not being able to help :)
       
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        JWK, Jun 5, 2011
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      • Kristen

        Kristen Under gardener

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        You learn something every day. I had no idea that Concrete was a Hormone Rooting Powder :D
         
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          Kristen, Jun 5, 2011
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        • Kristen

          Kristen Under gardener

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          Found this on Kelways site:

          Kelways Plants Ltd - Useful Information

          "When planting a bare trunk, dig a shallow hole and add some organic matter such as garden compost. Site the trunk no more than about 5cm into the ground. A robust stake will be useful to support the plant from blowing over. Water as often as you can, both into the soil and all over the trunk and into the crown. Maintain this discipline throughout the first growing season. You cannot over water a tree fern! Within 6 months the trunk should have rooted into the ground. A pot grown plant which has already rooted should be planted at the same level as it was in the pot."
           
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            Kristen, Jun 5, 2011
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            Wasn't it that Irish guy Diarmon (sp) who said you can plant tree ferns in concrete? I could do with that crane he brought in to the Chelsea flower show this year, for his Avatar sky garden, maybe I could use that to support my tree fern.



            I think I'll follow the advice on Kristen's link to Kelways Plants website :dbgrtmb:
             
            JWK, Jun 6, 2011
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          • Kristen

            Kristen Under gardener

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            Whilst googling I did find a site that said you could plant them in concrete. But also several others that said that its a myth that they don't have extensive root systems and can just live from their trunks ... so maybe concrete would work :) but I think a "proper job" will be better :thumb:
             
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              Kristen, Jun 7, 2011
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            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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              Concrete?
              I hope you realise I was joking:what:

              I think the lime in it would probably finish the plant off if nothing else.
               
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                pete, Jun 7, 2011
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              • daitheplant

                daitheplant Total Gardener

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                John, it should be planted to a depth of 1 third of its height.:dbgrtmb::dbgrtmb: So, just over 2ft.:thumbsup:
                 
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                  daitheplant, Jun 7, 2011
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                • loopy lou

                  loopy lou Gardener

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                  I am jealous!

                  I have always wanted one - ever since i went to NZ and Oz - stunning plants and very expensive to buy here!

                  I would also be scared of losing it during winter

                  good luck with it!

                  Loopy
                   
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                    loopy lou, Jun 7, 2011
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                  • pete

                    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                    As I said I dont have any experience of growing these and I know you probably want to get it into the ground, John

                    But my second thoughts would be to plant it into a pot for this year.
                    Much easier that way to check on root growth, and you could move it to a sheltered place should we get a hard winter.
                     
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                      pete, Jun 7, 2011
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                    • Aesculus

                      Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

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                      talking about planting tree ferns in concrete I've actually walked round a garden where the designer had actually tarmacked around them... it looked foul!:mute:
                       
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                        Aesculus, Jun 7, 2011
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                      • daitheplant

                        daitheplant Total Gardener

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                        John, trust me. I have sold and planted more tree ferns than you and Pete put together.:D A third of its height goes in the ground.:dbgrtmb::dbgrtmb:
                         
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                          daitheplant, Jun 7, 2011
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                        • JWK

                          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                          pete; don't worry, I realised you were pulling my leg about the concrete. It's too big for a pot. It's a two man lift on it's own, so it would need a fork lift if I managed to find a pot big enough :)

                          Dai, thanks for the advice, I've never had a tree fern before so this is all new to me. I've selected the planting position and concreted in a stake tonight. I'm not going to risk it toppling over. I'll get it planted this weekend.

                          Loopy, yes I'm worried I might lose it over winter. It's going in a sheltered spot in my garden under some trees so it will get some protection from the cold.

                          Aesculus, that seems a real shame, as well as looking tacky I would imagine tarmac would inhibit any rooting.
                           
                          JWK, Jun 7, 2011
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                        • pete

                          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                          Not difficult Dai.

                          Warning dont but a 20 footer.:D
                           
                          pete, Jun 8, 2011
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