Tree Fern advice please (Dicksonia Antartica)

****** hell glad i was not buying 12 years ago it would have cost me �£600 for my 6ft

 

For smaller ones Wilkinsons offer teh best deal. Sizes up to 1ft are �£10, up to 2ft �£17 and upto 4ft �£40. But you need to get them before they are allowed to dry out.

Picked up a 2 footer today.

 

Bought this last year at B&Q �£25...

 

Kev the price you paid for your 5 footers was fair enough.

Many thanks guys for mentioning about getting a bare trunk before the crown gets dried out....these little tips are always welcome before we make a costly purchase.

I wondered when Dee's little jewel would pop up on here.....thanks for not letting us down darling!

Come on BM show us your's! :D I'm sure some of the newbies would love a little peek! Hel.xxx.

 

Kevin, you wouldn`t have paid �£600.00 for a six footer twelve years ago, the retail price would have been nearer �£1400.00. :D

 

Hi folks. Over a period of time here, it seems that there are conflicting ideas on where you can have these. Some say that you must keep them shaded, others say it`s not essential. I`m considering getting a couple of these myself and would love to know if I`m wasting my time, given the fact that they will be in full sun. Cheers...freddy.

 

Hi freddy, all depends on size and how much you want it to be dependent on you

 

They will grow in sun, Its just that they have a high water need, so sun increases the need for you to water and look after them, (although they will need water and looking after in shade too) Im my view they tend to look better in shade - a deeper green, and arguably longer fronds.

 

I only have the one at the moment (another one this year). It was one of Wilko's 2 footers which I bought 2 years ago and planted out last year - in full sun. It's fine but as Gaz says I do have to remember to water it, in the crown, and preferably with rain water and regular feed.

 

If it was planted all last year it should have started to put down some good roots as well John, I was amazed how thick the roots were around my tree ferns.

To promote root growth i was advised to water with a dilute seaweed feed which appears to have worked well. Once in the ground the should be more self sufficient for food and water, but water water water anyway! I dont think they mind tap water, mine get a mixture of water from the water butts and tap water when the reserves are low.

 

Thanks guys :thumb:

 

Oh, should have said, the plan is to get 2 x 6 footers

 

If you do get them freddy, remember to spray the trunks with water. Good luck with them.

 

When it comes to watering and feeding you must remember that the trunk is actually part of the root system. This MUST be watered as much and as often, as the crown.:thumb:

 

Hi Dai. You actually water the trunk ?