Tree Fern Food, feeding

infernored

Re: Tree Fern Food, feeding

Post by infernored »

Cool, lots of people use rain water, is it better for the fern?
Kristen

Re: Tree Fern Food, feeding

Post by Kristen »

infernored wrote:Cool, lots of people use rain water, is it better for the fern?
My mains is "hard water", which is somewhat alkaline, and I think that Tree Ferns prefer a slightly Acid soil etc., hence I am using rain water whenever possible.
Tom2006
Posts: 8094
Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:23 am
Location: East Yorkshire UK

Re: Tree Fern Food, feeding

Post by Tom2006 »

Yes, if you can rain/softer water is best.
Most wanted list - Any Young Trachycarpus and/or fern.
GaryW

Re: Tree Fern Food, feeding

Post by GaryW »

If you live in a hard water area, use an ericaceous fertilizer for all your acid lovers. I use Miracle Gro or Phostrogen ericaceous on most of my ferns, but beware, some, like Asplenium prefer alkaline conditions. icon_salut
infernored

Re: Tree Fern Food, feeding

Post by infernored »

On the soil or in the crown of the fern?
Tom2006
Posts: 8094
Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:23 am
Location: East Yorkshire UK

Re: Tree Fern Food, feeding

Post by Tom2006 »

Tree ferns don't need much feeding at all. I wouldn't use miracle grow or anything similar. Best to use an organic seaweed fertiliser at half strength once a month during the growing season. Mulch around the base of the trunk in early spring and I always add a good spread of chicken pellets around the base of the trunk in late spring as well.
Most wanted list - Any Young Trachycarpus and/or fern.
infernored

Re: Tree Fern Food, feeding

Post by infernored »

Thanks tom2006, sounds like a plan re the feeding ...just need to move away from the hard water...do you add the chicken pellets to the crown as well...or do u just use the seaweed?
Tom2006
Posts: 8094
Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:23 am
Location: East Yorkshire UK

Re: Tree Fern Food, feeding

Post by Tom2006 »

infernored wrote:Thanks tom2006, sounds like a plan re the feeding ...just need to move away from the hard water...do you add the chicken pellets to the crown as well...or do u just use the seaweed?
No I never add anything solid to the crown. I just water loads in the crown (although not had to do as much this "summer") and once a month use half the recommended strength of organic seaweed fertitliser to the crown. icon_thumleft
Most wanted list - Any Young Trachycarpus and/or fern.
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