Dicksonia Antartica tree ferns-could they be dead?

diver · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 3

Hi all,
New to the forum so hopefully someone can help....

Following our very harsh winter weather this year, my garden is flourishing nicely....however....I have 5 Dicksonia Antartica tree ferns planted in large pots and I'm unsure now as to their current state.

All were covered with fleece with plenty of protection over the crown for the last number of months. I have pulled black dead stuff from the crown of my two largest ones (4ft trunks), I'm hoping that this might encourage new croziers underneath.
My 3 smaller ones (1 ft trunks) are in a sorrier state, the crowns are completely hardened over, I dug down slightly through one to see what might be happening and light brown mush appeared.

I'm at a loss as to what to do. I've mulched them and I'm keeping the crown and trunk watered as per normal in the hope that some croziers might pop up and unfurl.

I'd hate to lose them, apart from being quite expensive, they are my pride and joy!

Has anyone got any further advice, am I missing anything? Could they be dead? Sad

Many thanks

Protein · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 12:06 am Post subject:

Hi Diver - welcome, sorry its on a somber note!

You and I are in the same boat.

My D Antarticas were filled with straw in the crows and fleece on top.

I checked mine today, and littlest of the lot also has brown mush, which is not a good sign - and there is not sign of life yet... I think this arctic weather was a bit too cold for our Kiwi friends, no matter how protected they were.....

me

diver · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 3

I bet we're not the only ones in this boat Crying or Very sad

I guess it's watch and wait.....nature can be so cruel......

Any other Dicksonia Antartica owners out there with sorry tales to tell???

somccabe · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 10

I am also in this tragic boat. I have it 2 years and I am embarrassed to admit how much I love it. I even got out of bed on a few occasions to go outside and make sure I'd covered it. But I think I was wasting my time as there is nothing happening with it so far. Another week or so will tell a tale!

Protein · Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 10:51 pm Post subject:

still no signs of life on mine, when I tap the hairy stems, they sound hollow.... I am still in denial though......

diver · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 3

Ok, update on my ferns! The 2 large ones are alive!! Dug gently into the crown of both of them. I found black crozier heads which I pulled out and lo and behold, there were green crozier heads underneath so all is not lost....yet! I'm frantically fertilizing and watering them so here's hoping! I don't expect a major display of fronds this year but anything will do so long as they survive.
Spoke to the horticulturist at my local garden centre. He said that these plants may appear dead but there are layers of crozier tips in the crown, the lower ones may be ok. Which I think is the case with mine.
I haven't performed any "surgery" yet on my 3 small ferns but they still seem in a bad way, that's a job for this weekend!

somccabe · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 10

Mine is alive too. Wow! Delighted I didn't dig it up. I'm happy for you diver. What about you Protein? Any sign of life yet?

Protein · Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 11:27 pm Post subject:

Nothing yet, somccabe

I was looking at them tonight, I don't have the heart to dig em out, so they will stay there till a suitable replacement is found...

Crying or Very sad