DavePoole Torquay wrote:
Hmmm. Another lengthy explanation on the way. It's a subject
surrounded in myth, propagated by media buffoons resulting in the
innocent buyer forking out big investments that fritter away.

The growth of Dicksonias and most of the cool tolerant tree ferns is
largely dependent upon the growing conditions of the previous year. If
they have been good with ample moisture and sufficient nutrients, the
numbers of fronds produced during the following spring will increase as
will the size of those fronds to a degree. Once Dicksonia antarctica
has grown large enough to form a trunk, the normal frond length is 2 -
2.5m with an annual increase in the numbers of fronds during the first
'flush'. If after a couple of years' establishment, a trunked specimen
produces fronds that are much shorter than this and the numbers
produced remain static or decrease, you can assume that growing
conditions are less than satisfactory for the plant. A well
established fern should be producing around 20 or more fronds in its
first flush, followed by more appearing sporadically throughout the
summer.

SNIP
This is so useful I am bookmarking it.
That is the best advice I have seen on tree ferns; this explains a few
things for me.
Thanks Dave!!!!!!