Dicksonia antarctica
HARDY SOFT TREE FERN, Man Fern
SKU: 893-5
The fern grows at 3.5 to 5 cm per year and produces spores at the age of about 20 years.
Reproduction by this species is primarily from spores, but it can also be grown from plantlets occurring around the base of the rhizome.
The plant can grow in acid, neutral and alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade. It strongly resents drought, and does best in moist soil.
This plant is particularly suited to garden planting and landscaping purposes. As an ornamental plant, it is hardy to about -5 C (23 F) with some reports of hardiness to -10 C (14 F), succeeding outdoors in the milder areas of Britain where it thrives and often self-sows in Cornish and Scottish west coast gardens. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Note: The 'seeds' of this fern are actually spores (very, very tiny). See germination info below. There are 5+ spores per pack.
Germination: Soak a seed-start mix with boiling water to kill parasites. Allow to drain and cool for about an hour. Tap the spores onto the surface of the growing mix. Cover the pots with plastic, or place in a clear plastic bag. Place in a well lit window or under grow lights, but not in direct sunlight. Water from a bottom tray as to not disturb the spores. Keep at 20-22 C, 68-72 F. The ferns will start to germinate in a few weeks, though could take a few months to form little plants. Patience is required, though they are well worth the wait!
The fern grows at 3.5 to 5 cm per year and produces spores at the age of about 20 years.
Reproduction by this species is primarily from spores, but it can also be grown from plantlets occurring around the base of the rhizome.
The plant can grow in acid, neutral and alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade. It strongly resents drought, and does best in moist soil.
This plant is particularly suited to garden planting and landscaping purposes. As an ornamental plant, it is hardy to about -5 C (23 F) with some reports of hardiness to -10 C (14 F), succeeding outdoors in the milder areas of Britain where it thrives and often self-sows in Cornish and Scottish west coast gardens. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Note: The 'seeds' of this fern are actually spores (very, very tiny). See germination info below. There are 5+ spores per pack.
Germination: Soak a seed-start mix with boiling water to kill parasites. Allow to drain and cool for about an hour. Tap the spores onto the surface of the growing mix. Cover the pots with plastic, or place in a clear plastic bag. Place in a well lit window or under grow lights, but not in direct sunlight. Water from a bottom tray as to not disturb the spores. Keep at 20-22 C, 68-72 F. The ferns will start to germinate in a few weeks, though could take a few months to form little plants. Patience is required, though they are well worth the wait!
