Tree Fern Pots

[kmarch]

Someone (Vivienne) in another thread mentioned tree fern pots. I have ot used one before but have been thinking about trying my Coelogyne cristata in one. Since coelogynes sulk after repotting, I'm thinking a tree fern pot would be good because it might lessen the need for repots and it could grow around the pot into big ball. I suspect it would be similar to growing on a tree fern mount?

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? Advice?

I'd be growing it outside here in Melbourne, Australia. Are tree fern pots available in Australia? I've not seen any as of yet.

[Vivienne]

Cool Kevin - let's find out together!

I bought a tree fern pot and a tree fern slab. I plan to split the slab in half. I further plan to move my Pleuro brevipes from it's cork mount to the tree fern. I'm torn on the other.
Encyclia tampensis to the slab or pot?
Brassavola cordata to the slab or pot?

[kmarch]

Vivienne,

I had a nice big Enc tampensis (well relatively big, they're small plants) which I grew on a tree fern mount (slab). I had to water it a lot, daily spraying of roots (more in hot summer) and weekly soaking of the whole mount, but it grew extreemely well for me. We're talking a dozen new growths or so per year and about 8-10 spikes per year.

When you bought it you should have bought 2 so you could try one each way.

He, he, he, any excuse to buy more....

[Vivienne]

LOL - hindsight. I had my Encyclia on cork but it was shriveling so I moved it to a tiny pot while waiting for this tree fern to arrive. It has only put on 1 new growth since I bought it last summer. Hoping the tree fern does the trick. Daily spraying is already part of my regimen.

I'm leaning toward putting the Encyclia on a slab and putting the Brassavola in the pot. Have to do some research on the latter tho.

[Andrew]

Kevin,
Try Fernacres Nursery in Kinglake.

[evagentry]

What does a tree fern pot look like? I have read about them but never seen one, they sound so interesting.

[articuno75]

Kelly's Korner has some. This is where I get some of my supplies.

[digitalgate]

they break down easily in my care. good for plant that can withstand repotting.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I have several things growing in tree fern pots. But since I have a space problem, I am personally selecting them at Cal Orchid Supplies for the smallest possible pots, AND, ones that are firm. There are lots of these pots that are made with inferior tree fern, and are already falling apart when you get them. I also like the tree fern totumpoles/monkeys. No room for them, but they make the absolute most aesthetic effect possible for display. Have a Den loddigessi in a small one, and until the pack rat gave it a trimming, it was quite a show. We are also starting to see tree fern balls being sold. Saves having to decide what to fill the cup with.

[kmarch]

Cynthia, Do oyu find the pots break down quickly too?

[pitik101]

On my side I use tree fern slab a lot on my plants. Since I buy them in dozen lots (less than $1) I select which are sturdy ones and use them for mounts with my Vanda, Aerides and Dendrobiums. Those that are low quality, I dice them to 1 inch square pieces and uses them for potted ones.

I actually prefer this than the relatively common medium here, coconut husks. They are same in cost but if you get a bad lot of coco husks, you may end up with some ants and whatever critters that it may attract.

Only down side, you'll have to water a lot. Which I like since I can be with my plants more often and enjoy their splendid beauty.

[nenella]

I just read about something called "epiweb" somewhere; which from what I remember is the 'ecological' substitute for fern pots, slabs etc (which are apparently being depleted from the earth......
check this out.... :Epiweb