Hardy Tropicals UK

Mick, if u got no fronds on your Dicksonia antarctica (not sure if u have) then u could just put some bin liners / polythene bags over the top of the Dicksonia antarctica , obviously the loft insulation underneath. I use the roofing membrane only coz i have it here already and because it's breathable i.e it doesn't sweat and therefore keeps the insulation dry.

Never know mate, u may get a mild one

doubt it tho

The big one has only a few fronds, a smaller one planted this year has plenty. With both though I'll probably fold them all in around the crowns, even in a mild winter all fronds are brown by the spring and have to be chopped off.

You never know, we might get a mild one (no neither do I )

Just been to sainsburys and they are selling for a pound each table or bbq cover measures about 1.2 m x 900 ish thats whats going over mine ....

they have water proof parasol covers in the pound shops....

The Codfather wrote:they have water proof parasol covers in the pound shops....

How much are they

The same price as an axe and a sledge hammer

Tom2006 wrote:

Yorkshire Kris wrote:

Tom2006 wrote:I'm not sure why this or the Trachycarpus thread have not been well received oh well.

both have comments saying search for other previous threads. Point made and taken. A shame because after the last two winters a one stop thread for what people ARE going to do could be very useful indeed.

The problem appears to be, that these topics are in the Main forum so will disappear off everyone's radar within a day of no-one posting on it. A one stop topic that most won't find as they don't search, seems a bit of a waste. This type of topic will get replied to over time, and the main forum is just too fast moving, that is why the reference forums were started.

If very experienced people come on here once an week, I doubt they will go through 10 pages of topics on the main forum to see if there was something on tree ferns. If we all start using the reference forums for the more specialist discussions. Maybe we will get more experienced people contributing.

I have not done it but I think digging up is a bad idea, as the root system is extensive, and butchering a struggling Dicksonia antarctica will probably finish it off. I will do the same as the snow did for me last year. weigh the fronds down forming a cosy igloo, trapping ground heat around the trunk. Even a 6 ft trunk can be done if the insulating material is big enough. I'm currently looking at 4m wide fleece.

Is nobody using the water tank insulation jackets discussed earlier this year then? Warm and waterproof for about a tenner i believe!

Dave Brown wrote: I have not done it but I think digging up is a bad idea, as the root system is extensive, and butchering a struggling Dicksonia antarctica will probably finish it off.

I would agree with the sentiment Dave but the root system on mine is far from extensive, there does not seem to be a lot to butcher. It is currently propped up with a small plank to stop it from falling over (it started leaning a few weeks ago)

Digging up will be a last resort, but the bottom line is I can't see it surviving another winter like the last one.

I was thinking about about putting a empty tonne gravel bag over each of my Dicksonia antarctica's to keep snow/ice/frost off the crown, and wrapping yes wrapping the trunk up at the bottom if the gravel bags don't cover the full length of the trunk.

I'd forgotten about the water tank covers! Has anyone got a,link to a good place to buy?

I wouldnt panic too much out there, a bit of hay should sort it Tom this winter. Just get some bubble wrap at the ready to sling if it gets really cold at night.

I like your optimism. They will be in my heated polyhouse if the temps get below -5C. Not risking losing anymore.

Tom2006 wrote:I'd forgotten about the water tank covers! Has anyone got a,link to a good place to buy?

This should be cheap enough Tom

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?a ... =281597820