How to Look After a Dicksonia Antarctica Tree Fern
Dicksonia Antarctica tree ferns are tender tropical ferns that take the form of a tree. Their trunk is shaggy looking and made up of dried up parts of the plant. They grow in areas with mild winters and are only hardy to USDA Zone 8, with winter protection. Dicksonia Antarctica tree ferns don't do well as potted plants because they have extensive root systems that cannot fully develop confined in a pot. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Choose a site in partial shade that is protected from harsh winds, ideally by larger trees and other plant materials.
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Dig a planting hole twice the size of the root ball of your Dicksonia Antarctica tree fern and make a pile with the soil you remove. Add 1 to 2 five gallon buckets of compost to the reserved soil and mix together well.
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Transplant Dicksonia Antarctica tree fern. Add soil to the planting hole and place root ball on top of it so the shaggy trunk is not buried. Firm the soil around the roots but don't compress. Water thoroughly.
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Apply a layer of organic mulch 4 to 6 inches thick. Mulch is important in conserving moisture.
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Water the equivalent of 2 inches per week. This tree fern needs at least that much to grow and survive.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not remove the faded fronds. They provide extra protection from frost in winter and shelter the plant from desiccating winds.
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Comments
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markvincent
Oct 01, 2009
Australian Tree ferns - native to Australia are a protected species. Transplanting them is only permitted under license. Information on how to do so should be restricted or at the very least provided with the appropriate warning. Measurements should also be in metric SI units.
