ARE MY FERN TREES DEAD ???

[respec24]

I bought 3 last autumn & left them on my patio all winter. There does not appear to be any life at all yet this year !? But they don't feel soft or rotton ? Please help !

 

[Thermo]

unlikely they are dead. The cold can kill of the green material. Mine did the same, but there are already new ones growing back

 

[Hazelb]

If you are talking about tree ferns. They are ferns that grow from the top of the 'tree'. You should start to see fern fronds unfurling from the crown of the fern, now we have warmer weather.
They get their moisture from the 'trunk' and through the crown of the plant, so you shouldn't let it dry out.

 

[respec24]

There is no sign of fresh growth or any green shoots at all !?
Are they very hardy ? I was going to repot them in fancy planters on the patio but theres no point if they are dead.

 

[JohnD]

where are you? South Coast like me? Or Up North beyond Guildford?

 

[Thermo]

they are fairly hardy but dont like cold winds. Dont get rid of them yet!

 

[ian413]

I have 2 small ferns, about a foot or so in height.One has gone brown and brittle and looks dead. I've re-potted it but is it worth it?

 

[^woody^]

If you put a hand into the top of the fern, you should feel several hard 'knuckles' and these will be the new fronds ready to uncurl

If you don't feel any hard bits, and it is all soft, then they may be dead.

But most tree ferns have two flushes of new fronds - one spring time, and another mid summer.

Move your fern to shade, and keep watering it once a day or twice a day in hot, dry weather, and see what happens later in the year. And feed once a week - they love Tomorite or other tomato food, or sea-weed based food. Basically keep the crown damp and shaded, and this may promote some action

What variety are they? Dicksonia Antartica are hardy, but young or exposed trunks should have a ball of hay in the crown to protect from frost.

If you have any other variety of tree fern, then they are not generally UK hardy, and should be sheltered over winter.

 

[respec24]

I checked the label & they are 'Tesco' Dicksonia, can't feel any hard lumps on top of trunk ? Sounds like they would be better in a conservatory !? I am in Staffs. Can i tell if i get them out of pot & look at the roots ?

 

[Thermo]

they dont have roots, they feed from the crown.