Dicksonia Fibrosa

Description

Family: Dicksoniaceae
Genus: Dicksonia
Species: Fibrosa
Wheki-ponga, Golden Tree-fern, Kuripaka, Woolly Tree Fern

Dicksonia fibrosa is similar to Dicksonia antarctica, only slightly smaller, and has lighter coloured fronds. The plant’s trunk is formed from a thick mass of roots from which foliage appears in spring, unfurling from the center to open into large, rich green fronds. Grow Dicksonia fibrosa outside in dappled or deep shade in neutral or slightly acidic soil. Keep the plant well watered in summer, and protect the crown in winter by wrapping it with straw or dead fronds. It can also be grown indoors as a conservatory plant. Prefers moist but well-drained humus-rich soil.

Sow indoors into 9cm dwarf pots that are new or very clean. Use seed compost that has been sterilized. To do this place kitchen paper over the pot of soil and pour on boiling water. Leave to cool. Lightly dust the compost with the fern spores and cover with Clingfilm. Place somewhere warm but out of direct sunlight. Leave for 1-2 months. The spores should turn green and thicken to look like moss. When the ‘moss’ looks thick break into small pieces and move to new pots of sterilized compost. Gently press moss onto the soil. Cover with polythene and keep moist. After 1 month the moss should turn into prothallus. Keep moist. Germination should occur. Allow to grow on before pricking out.