I have had a tree fern for about 5 years, which was growing quite well in
thegarden but last year got too big for the greenhouse, so I over wintered
it in a bubble wrap lean to temporary shelter. The leaves stayed green ok
through the winter but then in spring all died off.

I have kept it in the garden hoping it would shoot again but with no
success. There does appear to be something green down in the crown when I
scratch its surface, its been there for a couple of months now, almost as if
it is an "in growing leaf", but no new leaves produced.

Should I write it off as dead, or leave it to see what happens?

If it's dead, I have seen small tree ferns in pots (about 8" tall) at a
nursery. Could I grow one of these on the top of the old chap rather than
start from scratch? I visited a garden in Cornwall where it appeared that
tree ferns had been grafted into the top of old ones, and they were doing
ok.

Thanks for any info.
David.

"DavidM" wrote in message
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I have had a tree fern for about 5 years, which was growing quite well in
thegarden but last year got too big for the greenhouse, so I over wintered
it in a bubble wrap lean to temporary shelter. The leaves stayed green ok
through the winter but then in spring all died off.

I have kept it in the garden hoping it would shoot again but with no
success. There does appear to be something green down in the crown when I
scratch its surface, its been there for a couple of months now, almost as
if
it is an "in growing leaf", but no new leaves produced.

Should I write it off as dead, or leave it to see what happens?


Hi David,
the new shoots in tree-ferns are first detectable as a knob the size of a
finger-tip, deep in the centre. They are covered in hair, and rapidly grow
and uncoil into fronds.

I just wonder whether your fern's winter quarters have been too damp and too
dark, but good luck!

Duncan