Tree fern, Cyatheales: characteristics and varieties

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These extraordinary creatures are considered to be the oldest and largest ferns in the world and can grow up to 20 meters in their home in tropical and subtropical rainforests. In the 19th The first tree ferns came to Europe in the 19th century. In the meantime, the living fossils have found their way into our gardens at home and offer fans of ferns the right introduction to the world of exotic plants. However, there are a few basic things to consider when keeping and caring for these tropical beauties.

Characteristics

  • botanical name: Cyatheales
  • Department: Ferns, Vascular Plants
  • Genus includes over 620 species
  • Use: as a houseplant and container plant
  • largest representative: Norfolk tree fern (Cyathea brownii)
  • Height: up to 30 meters
  • Crown diameter: up to five meters
  • has a tuft of fern fronds on the trunk
  • Location: bright, partially shaded to shady, sheltered from the wind
  • Watering: regularly, do not let it dry out, spray the trunk and fronds
  • Fertilizer: Regular liquid fertilizer from April to September
  • Winter: bright, cool room

Appearance

Tree ferns are certainly one of the more demanding container plants for gardening enthusiasts. In its original homeland, the trunk reaches an astonishing 30 meters high - Norfolk Tree Fern (Cyathea brownii). The imposing crown with a diameter of up to five meters consists of over 50 filigree fronds, some of which can be up to four meters long. With only five centimeters a year, the trunk grows relatively slowly. However, its diameter can be 40 centimeters.
The real Cyatheales has a forelock on its straight trunk

Fern fronds that are multiply pinnate. Pure tree fern families are Dicksoniaceae and Cyatheacee, which are also of commercial importance at the same time. The genus Cyatheales comprises over 620 species and thus forms the largest group.

Location

Tree ferns can be cultivated well in our latitudes as a container or houseplant. As a houseplant, the palm-like creatures should have enough space. Also, a location near a window would be ideal. If the Cyatheales is too dark, it will grow correspondingly more slowly.
As long as the winter garden is not excessively hot in summer, it is also suitable for tree ferns. At temperatures above 35 degrees, plant lovers should better avoid it. Many species can safely spend the summer outdoors.

  • partially shaded to shady place
  • sheltered from the wind
  • as a houseplant in a bright spot

floor

So that the tree fern can develop its full beauty, the substrate should be optimally matched to it.

  • permeable to water
  • air permeable
  • loose soil with a proportion of organic substances
  • acidic soil
  • no lime
  • nutritious

A thick drainage layer should always be placed in the lower part of the pot or bucket - a mixture of gravel, sand, expanded clay, humus garden soil and a small amount of cattle mulch.
Tip: Substrates made from coconut fibers offer a successful alternative. Potting soil can also be used if a lot of compost is mixed in.

to water

Tree ferns need high humidity and plenty of water. With regard to the roots, there is a special feature of tree ferns: Bei

A short section of dried up petioles remains, from which new roots form. These roots not only support the stability of the trunk. With them, the tree fern absorbs nutrients and water. Therefore, it is extremely important to keep the trunk moist as well. This is best achieved when the water is poured into the leaf crown. In this way, the running water supplies the trunk with moisture at the same time. In addition, the trunk can be sprayed with an atomizer. Excess water must be removed.
Tree Fern - Cyatheales

Fertilize

  • Fertilizing time April to September
  • regularly add some liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water
  • Use green plant fertilizer with little phosphorus
  • Pour fertilizer water into the leaf crown

Overwinter

Although some species of Cyatheales would survive short-term frosts, tree ferns should not hibernate outdoors. They are better off in a bright and less heated place. A cold house or a shady place in the winter garden would be ideal.

  • Winter at five to ten degrees
  • Pour moderately, do not allow to dry out
  • does not tolerate winter sun

Hobby gardeners who cultivate their tree fern outdoors year round can take steps to protect their exotic friend:

  • sheltered place without direct sunlight
  • Place the bucket on a base such as a styrofoam plate
  • Layer of bark mulch on the ground and in the leaf crown
  • Tie the crown together with string
  • Wrap the trunk with fleece or straw mats
  • Wrap the pot in foil or styrofoam
  • pour moderately

sorts

Cyathea australis (Australian tree fern)

  • Giant from the tree fern family
  • Stem height over ten meters
  • The canopy can reach a diameter of five meters
  • dark brown to black trunk
  • Palm fronds are light and deep green
  • relatively cold tolerant
  • tolerates frost to minus ten degrees for a short time
  • can be cultivated as a container or houseplant

Cyathea cooperi (scale tree fern)

  • popular indoor tree fern species
  • fast growing
  • Height over ten meters
  • Fern fronds can reach lengths of more than three meters
  • The trunk is about 20 centimeters narrower than that of other species
  • must not be shortened, otherwise it will die
  • black trunk
  • Fern fronds green and shiny silver in the light
  • can stand outside at temperatures down to zero degrees

Cyathea dealbata (New Zealand silver fern)

  • robust container plant
  • Stem height over ten meters
  • Canopy up to six meters
  • Fern fronds shine silvery on the underside
  • Trunk is slender and brown-black
  • older specimens can withstand minus five degrees for a short time in winter

Cyathea medullaris (black tree fern)

  • Year-round room cultivation possible
  • Growth height up to 20 meters
  • Canopy up to three meters
  • Fern fronds reach five to six meters in length
  • not frost-resistant

Cyathea smithii (soft tree fern)

  • to be cultivated as a container plant
  • Stem height up to eight meters
  • grows slowly
  • Fern fronds reach length of 2.5 meters
  • frost hardy tree fern
  • sensitive to heat
  • fully shaded location
  • tolerates brief frosts down to minus ten degrees

Cyathea tomentosissima

  • keep outside in summer
  • but can also be cultivated as a houseplant all year round
  • grows slowly
  • Growth height up to eight meters
  • Fern fronds have filigree red scales
  • tolerates light frosts down to minus three degrees

Cyathea brownii (Norfolk Tree Fern)

  • Container plant or as a houseplant in the winter garden
  • grows fast
  • thin trunk
  • forms fronds up to five meters long
  • pinnate fern fronds made of deep green leaves
  • The base is covered with dark brown scales

frequently asked Questions

My tree fern lost all of its leaves in winter. Now it sprouts again, but has brown tips again. Why is that?
Since the tree fern is originally native to tropical and subtropical areas, it will likely lack humidity. The tree fern does not feel well due to the dry heating air in winter. Daily spraying of the trunk already helps.
I have a tree fern in the bucket on the balcony. A brown coating now forms around the fern, which somehow looks moldy. When pouring it "steams". What to do?
It could be a slime mold that initially looks yellow and, when dried out, turns brown. This fungus occurs when the proportion of peat in the substrate is too high. When touched (or by watering) the fungus discharges countless spores that look like fine smoke. Simply remove superficially. It does not harm the plant.