Hardy Tropicals UK

I never water the crown as it encourages rot, I have had a cooperi that one side as collapsed and eventually it gave up. Water the trunk and pot that's how they like it, due to the terrible GB weather.

Hi all,

Could I get an ID on this please? I bought the fern as an Australis from a local GC but after reading through this post I am not too sure if it is indeed an Australis. The photo's of the trunk appears to show white flecks but in reality they are brown. Along the stem of the fronds are tiny thorns. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Rick.

It is an Australis

Thank you for the quick response. I had a 5ft trunk many many years ago (back in the days when they thought Australis could be cut as logs the same as Dicksonia A.) but could'nt remeber what the fronds looked like. Cheers.

No probs. If you look at the 1st page of this thread, there is pictures of Dave's Cooperi (sold as Australis). If you compare Dave's pic to yours can clearly see many more scales making the stipes look hairier. Cooperi don't have the thorny feel either.

Ahh yes I see what you mean. Thank you again.

Hi,
Are you sure it was Australis that was cut of like a Dicksonia antarctica as they don't survive that sort of treatment.

I think that will be a fern that would have came from Ponga over in Holland, it is a great tree fern company.
Where did you get it from?

I was just thinking the same.... which local GC?
Summerhills or Altons?

That was my point Rob, it was cut like Dicksonia, it survived for just over a year and gave up.

Steph do you mean the fern in my photo?

That one is fully rooted and should be fine. It will have been spore grown.

Rick1965 wrote: Steph do you mean the fern in my photo?

Yes please, being comparatively local, its nice to know who is stocking what.
CHGC had some nice Cooperii & Brownii earlier this year.
The only place I have had an Australis from is Amulree.

Hi Steph,

I got the fern from Newhall Garden Centre Lower Road, Hockley, Essex

The ferns were not very pretty (looked neglected) but with some care I think they will look stunning. They cost £25 and had about 6 inches of trunk. There are about 4-5 left and are tucked away by the side of the first greenhouse you will see Dicksonia first but further up you will see the Australis.

Regards Rick

Interesting, that's a new nursery to me.
Is that a standard GGC or somewhere half interesting?

The plants are def from Ponga.nl - its a shame 'cos they are offloading surplus (quality) stock all over the place.
If they had an internet outlet they'd have been making a good wedge, I do not understand why they have never done it.

No just a standard GC Steph but their garden pots are quite cheap.