By Lindap
Ayrshire, United Kingdom
we have had a Dicksonia antarctica for 3 years now & it has coped well with the climate in south-west Scotland. The fronds appeared as usual in May & have only reached approx 40-50cms in length but have grown no further in the last month. It has been in a container for two years. It has had one feed of Miracle Grow as recommended by B&Q but this has not prompted growth.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
On plant
Dicksonia antarctica
- 27 Jun, 2010
Answers
As Fractal says, humidity (particularly of the trunk) rather than feeding is the key. I would seriously doubt that Miracle Gro would do a Dicksonia too much good....it's formulated with a heavy emphasis on Nitrogen & Phosphorus to boost flowering and rapid growth. Ferns in general have very low nutrient requirements and can easily be damaged, burned or even killed by over-fertilisation.
27 Jun, 2010
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Dicksonia Antarctica
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Dicksonia Antarctica (Tree Fern)
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I can't help feeling that some damage has occurred to the meristem (growing point) which sits deep inside the crown. The fronds may have just expanded using any residual sugars and liquid from their bases. You will have to wait and see I'm afraid. Not really anything you can do except the normal procedure of keeping the trunk sprayed and moist.
27 Jun, 2010