Dicksonia Antarctica (s)

[Richard K]

I just bought myself a little dicksonia antarctica from homebase for £15, it seemed to have several growth crowns so on getting it home I divided it up into 6. I don't know whether or not I was wise to do that, but it's a bit late now!

[charlie]

I know the folk that used to be based at Trewidden nursery (before moving to become Penberth ) used to pot up baby Dicksonia like those from the ground behind one of their poly tunnels so they should be fine, although I suspect patience may be required!

[LostInJapan]

I've dealt with masses of seedling DA like that before. I agree that a poly tunnel or the like should be used until they establish. As for patience, you'll need it indeed.

[Richard K]

Thanks, well as long as I have some nice tall tree fern by next year I don't mind waiting!
Am kidding- I appreciate it will be many years!

[LostInJapan]

One more comment which might seem counter intuitive for this plant: keep them on the warm side once they get going. While this species does thrive in cooler conditions, if kept too cool they will grow slower. I'd keep them in a poly tunnel or the like until they become too large for the structure. I've seen this species grow quite rapidly in my area once established, with young trunked specimens putting on 20+ cm of new stem in a growing season. Southern Japan is far warmer than this species likes, but at the same time if grown well, the warm temperatures here can really speed up their growth. So, IMO warm/wet conditions will lead to better growth provided they are kept out of direct sunlight. Just a thought.

[Chad]

A subtly different view to Tom's from Cornwall.

I think there are two timings to consider, but one issue dominates both.

Air humidity.

In the short term, while they are growing back some roots to rebalance the root/leaf balance, high air humidity will support the plant and reduce losses. For 6 weeks, or even 6 months, I would strongly recommend they have a protected growing space. Either a polytunnel if you have one [!] or at least a bell jar or cloche until they are clearly pushing new croziers with vigour.

Once established, in Cornwall, full sun is no problem, and may be beneficial, as long as they don't dry out. In my polytunnel they don't grow well, and I've assumed that was because they got too hot. Outside summer highs of 21C seem to suit them, in the tunnel with regular highs of 30C and they were slower. Sphaeropteris cooperi loves the tunnel though.

I think we are looking at 'growing days'. Possibly days and nights above 10C, rather than degrees of heat?

They are not gross feeders, but don't starve them; that slows them down.

Never dry at the root, and as humid as you can manage round the fronds, which in Essex may well mean shade, but not with tree root competition.

Keep us posted on how they do.

And congratulations on the multi-buy.

Chad

[David F]

Interesting to hear how this taxon fares differently under different climates. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area I would consider these dead easy to cultivate and with a surprising degree of drought tolerance for a tree fern; they need much less water than Cyathea cooperi or Blechnum gibbum, and while they can take full sun in foggy areas, they will look poorly in too much sun in hotter summer areas. They are rather slow growing compared to Cyathea spp.