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Tree fern

pilar de la Lamapilar de la Lama Posts: 1
in Plants

Hi All,

 

I just planted two beautiful tree ferns this summer. They still looking green and in full leaf. I am worried to leave them for too long without protection but in the other hand it doesn't seem too cold yet either.

 

I will go away for a few weeks and not sure what shall i do and when is the rigth temperature to cover them

Any advice will be great

 

Many Thanks

 

P

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,538

    I would pack the centre with straw, fold the leaves over and put a fleece bag over the lot. I will guarantee if you go away, it will freeze solid.

  • Tropical SamTropical Sam Posts: 1,488

    Are they in pots or in the ground? Also, where in the UK are you based and how big are the Dicksonia?

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 13,282

    Agree with fidget. Unless you live in the tropical South I would protect them as she says, and i would do it now. We are bound to get really cold weather soon.

    There are ashtrays of emulsion,
    for the fag ends of the aristocracy.

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Tropical SamTropical Sam Posts: 1,488

    Tree ferns cover a large amount of possible ferns, most of whom are not that hardy. The hardiest is Dicksonia antarctica. The fronds on those are hardy till -3C and the growing point until -5/-8C depending on location and overhead cover.  Unless there is sustained freezing for days then there is no need to fleece a Dicksonia...an old blanket is all that is really needed to cover the growth point.

    Given that the current mild weather is forecast to stay until at least the end of next week, I would not cut off green fronds for the sake of some uninformed commentators on an online forum. Straw only works by getting it thick enough to rot down and thus release heat. It also attracts vermin and pests to the growing point. It would be better to make a cage using chicken wire and stuffing that with straw. I would only do that if 2010 type of weather was forecast as it is overkill.

    It is crucial to keep the tree fern damp all year round. More die of drying out than cold weather.

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,538

    As these are the experts , you could have a look on these websites.

    http://www.bigplantnursery.co.uk/treeferns-winter.html

    http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=171

     RHS advice is to err on the side of caution.

    Hackney is likely to have a fairly mild microclimate, but you never know.

  • Tropical SamTropical Sam Posts: 1,488

    http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=21578

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