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Re: [PRIMROSES] Australian Tree Fern

Michael D. Cook wrote:
>
> At 01:58 PM 1/3/98 -0000, you wrote:
> >Hi:
> >
> >A lady I've met in cyberspace is sending me some Australian seeds including
> >the tree fern.  My reference books don't mention this plant.
>
> Hi, Diana.  Try looking under 'Dicksonia spp.'.  Tree ferns aren't hardy in
> our area.  T & M and Forest Farm both sell seeds/plants, so maybe you could
> get more info. from catalogues.  I know there are some nurseries on the
> Internet that sell them; might be some information there, too.
>
> Sheila Smith
> mikecook@pipeline.com
> Z 5/6

Yes, I'm aware that they aren't hardy in zone 5 thru 8.  Read my last
post again. It was mentioned that she would have to keep it inside.
However....last year I went to a Home Depot store and spied a tree
fern.  "Well, isn't that interesting....I wonder what kind it is for
only $19.95".  It was 5 feet tall and at LEAST that big across.  Lo and
behold.....it WAS a dicksonia!! Me thinks someone made a pricing
booboo.  Or that it was a bonus plant from a wholsaler for a very large
order.   I latched on to that pot and wouldn't put it down for any
reason.  My house has a double door entry, and it has gotten so wide
that I had to take the fern away from the entryway as you couldn't help
but push it aside to pass..
  In talking to a large commercial grower from Canada, he said it very
well could winter here, as there is a 12' speciman in Seattle.  That
plant is well wrapped in burlap to overwinter, but it makes it.
Mine has since been moved to a table top at the Greenhouse, with a NOT
FOR SALE sign attached.  When spore is ripe, I will send it to Canada in
hopes that we can form a source for seedlings.  The Greenhouse is as yet
unheated for the dead of winter.  Dicksonia can handle it.  Here in zone
8, all it needs for protection is cover.  Thankfully, the greenhouse
roof peaks at 15 feet.  I have a while to go before I need worry.
Also, Dicksonia is becoming rare in it's native environment due to the
fact that it can be cut from its base and rerooted.  The base doesn't
grow again.  The 'trunk' of dicksonia is actually layers of roots that
run down from the crown.  For those who have never seen this plant, it
looks somewhat like a palm.

The Greenhouse
81 S. Bagley Creek Road & Hwy 101
Port Angeles, WA  98362
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