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Abandoned Fern advice

batladderbatladder Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Hi all, I found a Tree Fern on my way to work today that had been abandoned and wondered whether it would be possible to revive it? I’ve wanted one for a long time so if it is salvageable it will be a great find! Any advice on how to nurse it back to health is greatly appreciated. Thanks! 

Posts

  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,465
    edited June 2019
    How nice, I understand they are expensive to buy.
    Get it watered make sure the roots are moist if you found it as it looks without a pot, and into some soil or compost for now and keep it in the shade.
    And I think the thick bit is root too? Or a shoot or two, so they need to go under moist soil as well.
    Afraid I don't grow them so wait for an expert but for now do the above.

    As the fronds are still green I would say there is hope. Don't worry if they wilt or wither it is not dead yet.
    Good Luck and well done for rescuing it.

    Edit edit edit wish I could spell!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,875
    edited June 2019
    Hello @batladder (great name 😊) and welcome ... we had a similar query just the other day ... this thread should help 

    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1030103/george-eddmair/p1

    I’ll give @Paul B3  a nudge to see if he has any further advice for you. 

    Do let us know how you get on 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 14,593
    The most important thing is to keep the trunk moist, it is far more important than the roots.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • batladderbatladder Posts: 4
    Thanks everyone for the quick replies and great info. You guys are amazing! I’ll pot it up and cross my fingers...
  • Joy*Joy* Posts: 571
    From what I understand,  only the top few inches are alive, the lower trunk is just there to support the top. I bought a baby one last year and it grew several new fronds. I overwintered in the potting shed but didn't water it enough and most of the new growth died. I thought it had had it. However it is outside again, the brown fronds trimmed off, it is ALWAYS wet and it is growing again. You water it where the growing point is, preferably with rain water. I'd trim yours to remove the dead fronds and untidy bits and plant it up to where the horizontal roots(?) are. I think that you have found a bit of real treasure as they only grow about an inch per year!
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,128
    The 'trunk' is actually a mass of root-material in itself which is why regular spraying is very important .
    To tidy things up , you could remove all fronds including the contorted green ones and cut the older frond bases as close to the trunk as possible . Start again so to speak .
    Dappled shade would be advantageous at this stage , but they can tolerate full sunshine when established if kept permanently moist .
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