Dicksonia Tree Ferns

Hi everybody. Please can you help me?!!

My mother has a Dicksonia Tree Fern and which was quite successful for the first 2 years, but then it started growing small fronds from the bottom so she transplanted it into a nice shady spot in the garden. This has not cured the problem she would like to know if she is looking after it correctly and what she is doing wrong and hopefully how to get the fronds to grow from the crown again.
I would really appreciate any help you could give me. Thanks, Scrivs.

 

Is it still throwing fronds from the top ?

It is more than likely a dicksonia squarrosa and what you describe is quite normal. They throw out runners which grow at a reasonable pace into little treeferns.

 

Hi Banana Man,
No its not doing what it says on the tin and it has stopped growing really big fronds from the top. It's just throwing small fronds that are about 18 inches from the bottom. I think its a Dicksonia Pongu. She has put it into a large pot again now and watered it well and has given it some fresh chicken poo - nice!Have you any more ideas? Cheers

 

So theres no fronds at the top , am I reading it right ?

 

May be its producing little babies :D

 

Sorry probably did not explain it very well, No fronds at the top.

 

Main stem has more than likely had it then, this late in the year it should have produced new fronds. I have had mixed success with Squarrosa, although I have a good winter system now. Its not generally as hardy as the Antarctica although because mine are smaller they get less protection for the advantage of being planted under bigger plants. Look after the babies and in a few years you will have a few inches of trunk. They prefer to be ground planted although I have recently chopped the babies and replanted in individual pots. I ended up with about 6 new tree ferns from runners sent out by the root ball. If it were me I would leave it planted, look after the rootball and keep it moist at all times. Hopefully this will encourage more babies for you.

 

Just one thing Scrivs. Banana man is THE site expert on exotics (and maybe erotics) but I notice you say it has been transplanted to a nice shady spot. Most tree ferns (as opposed to brit ferns) like a bit of sun. Make sure the spot isn't too shady.

P.S. Don't know what the graemlin means, but I like it.

John

 

thanks for your advice, i shall print this invaluable information and send it home. thanks again.