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Australian tree fern looks sick one week after planting

Pipdog
10 years ago

I'm in Southern California (LA area) and we just re-landscaped and put in the plants last week. We hired a landscape designer to help us select and source plants. We planted a 15 gallon Australia tree fern (Cyathea cooperi) in front of our house where it gets mostly shade (but some dappled sunlight as you can tell from the photos). After about a week, about 5 or 6 of the fronds are crispy and looking dead. I am giving it a fair amount of water (we are experiencing 90+ degree heat in LA the last few days). Is this normal? Could this be from the shock of planting? Anything I can do to help it survive? thanks for any info/advice.

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Comments (14)

  • stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
    10 years ago

    More water..at 90f,everyday and maybe twice a day. Other times when temps are normal you can reduce watering..but all tree ferns can take all the water you can throw at them in summer.

  • hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
    10 years ago

    Could be transplant shock. Keeping a hose nearby and giving the whole plant a cooling spray as often as possible might help.

    Confused, though--that seems a little close to the house for a tree fern. Is that the permanent location? They get kind of wide. That close to the house it's going to lean outwards.

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  • hosenemesis
    10 years ago

    I would move that fern now, because they get huge trunks. Mine is seven feet tall and about as wide across, and the trunk is about eight inches in diameter.

  • Central_Cali369
    10 years ago

    I agree, it must be transplant shock. Keep it watered and the new growth will be acclimated to its new environment. I would also second that you move it, especially if it's next to a walkway. My cyathea's fronds get to 6 feet or more in length, making the entire plant close to 12 feet wide from one side to the other. and although they do grow fast, it will be at least 6 or 7 years before it gets tall enough for you to walk underneath it.

  • stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
    10 years ago

    There is no transplant shock from a container. It was in sun on a too hot day with not enough water. Cyathea cooperi can take almost full sun in coastal soucal. They like best shade from hot afternoon sunlight.
    Depending on how many people pass by where that fern is ,you might also have a problem with fronds getting worn down,ratty looking. And when that happens you wont get the almost half a foot a year in trunk growth those plants can do.

  • Pipdog
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    thanks for the info, everyone. I've been giving it lots of drinks. It is less hot today and looking less sickly.

    hoovb, thanks for posting the photos of your beautiful trees. They are huge, and I wasn't aware they get that big. I'm pretty annoyed that my landscape designer would put it there knowing this gets big.

    Here's a wider shot of the front. As you can see, the fern tree is right next to the garage, so we have to back our car out right next to it. My car already sort of brushes up against it when I back out. I'm in agreement with you all it needs moved. Any thoughts on what we should replace it with? Something that has some height? The spot gets mostly shade/dappled sun.

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  • napapen
    10 years ago

    Also it is getting alot of refected heat from your driveway. I would say put it in another less stressful place.

    Penny

  • hosenemesis
    10 years ago

    Perhaps a fuchsia or a mandevilla vine on a metal trellis would do well there.

  • stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
    10 years ago

    Try the Chamedorea palms..Soft, in various heights from 3' for a Cat palm to 20 ' for the large bamboo like species. None cause any damage to your driveway or foundation. Just need water.

  • hosenemesis
    10 years ago

    Stanof, she's talking about the one foot wide bed under the little octagonal window.
    Renee

  • Min3 South S.F. Bay CA
    10 years ago

    I had an A. tree fern years ago and it made me itch like crazy everywhere I brushed against it. That might be another good reason to get rid of it. Min

  • hosenemesis
    10 years ago

    Not to mention the spores! I had one outside a bedroom window, and the whole room got covered with orange dust if I left the window open. I moved it to the back yard.

  • kathi_mdgd
    10 years ago

    I had one also,loved that thing and decorated it every Christmas season with all red balls and ornies.Then several years ago we had the coldest winter that I can remember and the frost killed it.Never got another.

    And yes they will make you itch terribly.
    Kathi