King Fern

[Walter John]

After a big deluge, the creek flowed strong and over it's banks. It is here I planted my one and only king fern a few months ago and she's holding firm. Anyone else growing Angiopteris ?

[Caryota_gigas]

Im growing Marattia salicina, the New Zealand King fern which is almost identical at first glance. Cool plants, with a slightly cycadesk feel to the base and even the leaves.

[Dypsisdean]

Wal,

They are certainly an impressive plant. I hear they have become rather thick in some of the river/creeks of Oahu and the Big Island, so you may have more in the years to come.

[Eric in Orlando]

We are growing several outside. Here is our largest, about 6-7ft overall and forming a nice pseudotrunk

[junglegalfla]

I'm growing one here in St. Pete. It's still a 10 gal size but filling out nicely. Mine is currently taking a lot of afternoon sun & it survived this crappy winter with no problems. Great plant!

[Eric in Orlando]

Its fairly cold tolerant, just needs lots of water. It can't tolerate any dryness, give it as much water as possible.

[JungleGina]

My poor fern has been dying a slow death--apparently despite all the rain we've been getting, not enough is making it down to the understory and even with help from the hose I have not been able to save it. I'm so sick as I just adore this fern. (Sorry, Mike.)

[junglegalfla]

Here is mine...not to throw salt in your wound Gina

[ThunderSRQ]

Wow Gina -- very sorry to hear that. Mine is also doing pretty good -- and I don't think that water is "ultra-critical" as I've seen the leaves on mine droop several times when we were in a dry spell but, without exception, as soon as I gave it some extra water it perked right back up (so there may be some sort of pest issue with yours -- ?). I say "pretty good" (as opposed to great) because, due the the dry period impact, it has not yet "taken off" and is just now starting to form new fronds (so hopefully, by the end of the summer, it will have grown another "notch" in size). As an FYI, mine is planted under high live oak canopy but does get some direct sun very late in the day (but not very much) -- however, the picture that I saw that really sold me on this fern shows one growing in what looks like full sun, so could yours possibly need more light?

Tim

[ThunderSRQ]

Here's the picture of the one that looks to be growing in lots of sun: