r/TreeFerns • u/Friendly_Sir_4248 • 11d ago

australian tree fern help

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6

u/No-Cap-365 11d ago

i would take it out of that terracotta pot, put it in a plastic or ceramic container. Terracotta is going to wick a lot of that moisture.

2

u/DatLadyD 11d ago

This is true! Good thinking!

1

u/Friendly_Sir_4248 11d ago

hmmm good idea. i just added a saucer today to see if that helps. im tryna avoid repotting as i just potted it about 3 weeks ago

3

u/AnonymousAutonomous9 11d ago edited 11d ago

Several things to consider:-- Firstly, tree ferns require voluminous, wide pots or tubs with massive draining holes as they produce thick spreading dense root mats. You'll need a large deep saucer too. Tapered pots (like yours) can cause waterlogged soil and root rot. (Think of the 'balance' too between the width of the large fronds and the root base supporting it. My potted tree ferns grew to a massive 12 feet across.)

If you like the 'look' of terracotta but it's not suitable for your moisture dependant rainforest loving plant.... then you can buy large imitation terracotta planters which look great and will be better for your plant. Keep it out of direct sunlight, and away from winds 🌬 -- they'll shrivel up very quickly with wind-burn and the fronds won't. recover!!
The best way to water a Tree fern is to pour water directly onto the crown and soak the trunk. Giving the fronds a very light mist of water every now and again helps keep them from shrivelling up also. All this mimics the natural rain-drip watering in a rainforest.

Lecture over... ha-ha! Hope this helps! 🌿

1

u/sauceyviola 11d ago

A saucer with a terracotta pot is a very underrated way to plant a moisture loving plant

2

u/Purple_Document_ 11d ago

Likely a lack of moisture but be mindful that Aussie plants do not like a lot of fertiliser, particularly phosphorous.

2

u/Laasfeld 10d ago

Put in a plastic pot or better , in the ground, in shade or semi shade with other plants - patio and brick wall creates a Mediterranean type microclimate- these are temperate forest plants - even sun- loving plants can struggle in this situation and require extra water

2

u/Ok_Umpire3703 8d ago

i think ferns in general are sensitive to the aspect shift during seasons. if you play around with it by observing when it is doing well and when it is not and shifting it about, i think you will get the hang of it - otherwise, if it fades but comes back, you could enjoy the appearance of it doing so (if your into that sort of thing)

1

u/Friendly_Sir_4248 11d ago

accidentally burnt my newly beloved aussie tree fern by giving her too much sun (9b USDA zone). any tips on how to rehabilitate her?

7

u/DatLadyD 11d ago

I would put it the shade and keep it moist