Ideas on winterization of in-ground cyathea
A while back I reported on some C medullaris and australis ferns
I had been nurturing along here in Vancouver.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5406&hilit=geofizThe medullaris was planted this past spring and flourished over summer.
I have rigged up an insulation jacket for it, complete with Christmas
rope lights to be turned on when temperatures dip below zero. A friend
of mine with a good size (1.8 m) Dicksonia is of the opinion that tree
ferns are better prepared for winter if one cuts off the fronds forcing the
plant into dormancy. What are people's opinions on this notion, in particular,
for cyatheas? I notice that the majestic Dutch medullaris of recent posts
is overwintered with fronds left to the elements, as is the Essex medullaris
I believe(?)
Here are some shots of the ferns:
Medullaris at rear and some pot-bound australis
This australis grew noticeably faster than the dicksonia beside (yes, I know they are too close). In fact
it is already producing spore: