Tree ferns?

[dandysmom]

I seem to recall some of you have them. I have had no luck with them previously; have lost two, but in the triumph of hope over experience have ordered another...the dwarf tree fern blechnum gibbum. They thrive out in the garden, but don't overwinter indoors; although I try to raise the humidity level by keeping them on a water filled tray of pebbles. Our Winters are too cold for them to stay outside.

Anyone keep them indoors? Any hints/tricks to keep them thru the Winter?

I am sort of resigned to treating them as a slightly expensive annual........:roll:

[Moli]

Have you tried to puit a fleece around it during the winter months??

[dandysmom]

No, I haven't Moli as it's in a pot. It supposedly is not hardy here in climate zone 7, so I never put it in the ground heretofor. I might just try that, as it will probably die indoors anyway! Thanks!

[Moli]

I didn't know you could get a dwarf variety, how big does it get??

[Mags]

Is this (http://www.logees.com/prodinfo.asp?number=F6035-4) the one Eileen?

[dandysmom]

Oh you are quick, Mags! That's exactly the page I was copying from Logees for Moli! How in the world did you know I shop there?

[Moli]

Thanks Mags, I do like that, love them, but the ones I have looked at are huge, may just get myself one of those...!

[Mags]

Oh you are quick, Mags! That's exactly the page I was copying from Logees for Moli! How in the world did you know I shop there?
Pure luck Eileen, I just googled the name of it!;):lol:

[angieh]

I think I posted in another thread that I lost my tree fern this winter and it had straw around its crown and a horty fleece bag. I am so upset. Dinahsmum posted a link of a specialist nursery near her, but they want £40 per foot for Dicksonia Antarctica - I'm afraid that's a bit steep. I hope to pick up a bargain at my local Garden Show on 5th June.

That blechnum gibbum looks nice Eileen - is it my imagination or are its leaves more like a palm than a fern?

[dandysmom]

I think I posted in another thread that I lost my tree fern this winter and it had straw around its crown and a horty fleece bag. I am so upset. Dinahsmum posted a link of a specialist nursery near her, but they want £40 per foot for Dicksonia Antarctica - I'm afraid that's a bit steep. I hope to pick up a bargain at my local Garden Show on 5th June.

That blechnum gibbum looks nice Eileen - is it my imagination or are its leaves more like a palm than a fern?

They do look a little bit like a small palm I used to have that Patches ate!!! :-D Forget the name of it.

[dandysmom]

It came yesterday, looks nice and healthy. It should do well in our hot humid Summer outdoors, hope it'll overwinter inside OK. It doesn't have a little trunk yet, maybe it will grow one outside ....

http://www.catsey.com/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d117/dandysmom/Non%20Cat/DSCN0839.jpg%5B/IMG%5Dhttp://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d117/dandysmom/Non%20Cat/DSCN0839.jpg

[calismum]

- just a thought - bubble wrap and fleece? If you put it on an upturned bowl in a basin you could accasionally steam it?

No idea if that is nonsense or not but it would provide some humidity and warmth.

I do agree that zone 7 is a bit iffy for it, but you have to try, you never know - it might be a mild winter!

[dandysmom]

Oh how I would love to have a mild Winter! I've previously kept them over indoors on a tray of pebbles with water for the humidity, and I keep the house at 70F . I just might gamble and leave it outdoors with a fleece and see what happens .....

[angieh]

That looks lovely and healthy Eileen. I am so hoping to get a tree fern bargain at our local garden show next Friday. I do miss mine.