Australian Fern tree

aka "Big Fern"

Survived the winter, while other tropicals suffered dammage, but most survived.

This fern was rescued from home depot 3 years ago, a scraggly specimen stuffed in a corner. The first winter I pulled it out of the ground and over wintered it in the green house. Decided to leave it in the ground the last 2. This year it appears to be striving fot the
tree part of it's title and has formed a woody trunk at the bottom. The fronds are also stronger, staying in a lifted position.

The larger it gets, the more accelerated the growth seems to become. I have two small ferns I brought back from Hawaii last year and they are doing well, but taking their time, which seems to be the case in my experience of younger specimens.

Thanks Kell, for the advice on watering.

Rj

that is a nice fern. mine has a long ways to go. your BOP is giant.

lol...I noticed that when I posted the picture too. It got a bit frizzled last month when we got a last minute freeze. I bet the leaves being a bit fried makes the BOP look taller.

rj, how do you keep the vine (Campsis, Bignonia???) from sprouting all over the place?

Rj, looking good! I have 2, a Tasmanian Tree Fern and one was just tagged Austrailian Tree Fern. One is taller and the fronds held higher and the other makes a great full crown. I am not sure which is which. I just love the look they add to the garden.

Your vine adds so much color. How many months does it stay in flower?

Thanks-
Do you mean sprouting from the ground all over the place? I have been experimenting with vines using an unorthadox procedure. I keep the vine in it's original pot, and let the roots grow through the pot, provided I have a location to at least partially hide it. The most interesting effect is the blooms. The blooms are double and triple than that of a vine planted in the ground. I'm assuming this has to do with the amount of controlable moisture, and the abilitity to drain so well. The second is that it prevents the vine from spreading. The first vine was rangoon creeper, that produced the most remarkable blooms, and frequency of blooms I have ever witnessed in the species.. Coincidence? one never knows I guess, but a third species will be put to test, sky vine...we'll see.

Kell this vine blooms best right now, and then pretty much grows the rest of the year with sporadic blooms.

I was wondering if what I have for the fern was Tasmanian, as they are more cold tolerant, and this ...didn't skip a beat when everything around it got fried in that last freeze..
Anyway..glad you told me how to water it, it might not be so good otherwise.

That is so intertesting about the blooming and the pot. This year I am just sitting my brug pots where I want them, no more digging them in for me. And then come winter I can just twist them off and drag them into the hoophouse. They grow great like that and so mucy easier than digging a hole.

Glad I could be of help, Rj. You have helped me so many times.

Yes, I agree on the brugs. I've been doing that for some time now, and it works great. Even still they grow huge. I have one in the brug forrest area that is in a pot, that usually gets an incredulous response from visitors.. The limbs go past the green house roof some 20 feet. But ..when it comes to moving ...your right...trim and twist....

Geez, that is HUGE Rj!! I hope it is a PINK one. LOL

All mine outside croaked in the our deep and unexpected freeze

Are they coming back?
Get a uhaul and take mine...:)

rjuddharrison or Kell...if you don't mind...what is the watering advice for the Austrailian tree fern? I just acquired one and would like to know? Thanks! Marcy

So far the only one that has had green growth at the base is a suav mix that I received mislabeled. LOL. It was destined for the garbage since it first bloomed. Leave it to the ones you do not want to come thru it. Thanks but you have to keep yours. LOL. You are stuck with them!! I had a few in the hoophouse. And lots of small cuttings.


Marcy, the trunk is really roots so you must water it too, not just the soil. And I even read there is a center hole that will fill up with water.

Wow...ok Kell!! Thanks a lot. I bought mine at a nursery...and they gave instructions...but sure didn't say that! Nor did I read that on any place I checked on the net either. Good to know!!!

I had never heard that either; DG is a wonderful place to learn these important little tidbits. Thanks Kell.

Right!?
I didn't know that until Kell mentioned it in passing conversation. You can see from the picture that clearly it's made a difference..This one litterally has doubled in size since I started watering it like that last summer.

I also have used messenger on it. I must say I accidentally watered the roots with it, when i think you are suppose to spray the leaves... so that accident probably factors in there somewhere.

I think you can water with Messenger, Rj. The rep discussed doing that. I just think it is cheaper to spray the leaves so that is what many of us do. I really noticed Messenger's work with my tomatoes last year. I had so, so many!

I learn things new too here all the time, but mostly what I learn is how I need so many more kinds of plants that I didn't even know existed!

LOL, Too true!

LOL Kell! You said it!!!

I just searched the yard and could not find my Australian Tree Fern so I guess I'll have to buy another and water it Kell's way. Just for scientific purposes you understand........

oh yipee. Mine has 2 fiddles. But it took a beating,wow did it ever! at this rate, I will never have a "tree" per se. But I'll take anything, I just love this plant. Ardesia, don't give up yet. Maybe it just needs to get warmer in your area.

If you do not succeed at first try, try again!