Dicksonia Antarctica Frond Pruning

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S5Tropical
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2020 11:29 am
Location: Sheffield

Dicksonia Antarctica Frond Pruning

Post by S5Tropical »

Hi everybody
So happy to finally join after years of lurking hehe.
I have a D. Antarctica, planted in June 2018. Last year, it's first proper year, I watered copiously virtually every day and last year got two full flushes, well they've survived remarkably and now I have 13 fat green knuckles quickly unfurling.
I'm very apprehensive about chopping theold fronds as they're still alive and feeding the tree fern, my question is what would you do.
Thanks everyone and looking forward to your answers and contributing myself.

George
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chainsaw kid
Posts: 252
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2018 12:00 pm
Location: ll39 1bjArthog

Dicksonia Antarctica Frond Pruning

Post by chainsaw kid »

Personally I would leave well alone, we don't chop leaves of other garden plants with out good reason. So why Dicksonia antarctica? I recently saw a post on another forum by Kev Spence who had left his leaves to die on the plant, which then hung down the trunk. I thought it looked much more natural and I think I shall try it on mine. The dead leaves should also offer some protection to the plant. I realise this look will not appeal to every one! icon_thumright

Edit By the way welcome to HTUK. icon_cheers
Don't Just sit there, plant something!

The Kid.
shanks60
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2018 3:24 pm
Location: cheshire

Dicksonia Antarctica Frond Pruning

Post by shanks60 »

I cut mine off in the spring (just done it) and never had any problems
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charliep
Posts: 78
Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2018 6:43 am
Location: cornwall

Dicksonia Antarctica Frond Pruning

Post by charliep »

If they have gone brown you can cut them off but its not necessary and leaving the skirt of dead leaves can add winter protection for the crown, having said that I prefer to cut them off !
Charlie Pridham
Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
S5Tropical
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2020 11:29 am
Location: Sheffield

Dicksonia Antarctica Frond Pruning

Post by S5Tropical »

Thanks everyone for the answers,
I think I'll probably leave it till end of May
I'd feel better seeing them a bit deader if
That makes sense,i think if it was a 6 footer
I might try leaving the fronds, but he's
Only little at the moment 😂
Thanks again for the welcome 😁
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