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Guide to Growing Cyathea tomentosissima
General Information The name Cyathea tomentosissima derives from: Cyathea - from the Greek 'kyatheion' meaning little cup, referring to the structure that holds the spores. 'tomentose' - means 'hairy', and '-issima' means ' very'. The common names for this tree fern include the 'Dwarf Woolly Tree Fern' and 'Soft New Guinea Tree Fern'. C. tomentosissima is endemic to Papua New Guinea. It is found growing abundantly in coastal - montane forest and is widely regarded as the most common New Zealand tree fern growing in the wild. The fern is particularly common on the western coast of the South Island, found growing in high altitude grasslands, along stream banks and drier shrubby areas. The ferns grows at altitudes from 3000m to 3300m, and can withstand occasional short frosts. Therefore this fern is not fully hardy in the UK, but larger specimens are worth trying in milder parts of the UK if they are well protected. C. tomentosissima is a very distinctive tree fern of a scraggly soft appearance. The species is relatively fast-growing which develops a short trunk of up to 3m x 16cm (10ft x 6 inches) and fronds that reach 1.2m (4ft) in length. The fronds are bi-pinnate-pinnatifid, dark green, lance shaped, the fronds are soft to touch but the fine hairs almost stick to your hand like Velcro. The fronds have orange-brown and pale brown scales similar to those of C. cooperi but the colour of the scales are accented by the contrasting reddish/dark brown trunk behind. This fern will be different to anything else in the common tree fern collection, and due to its tolerance of short frosts and the fact that it will establish relatively quickly it is well worth 'a go' even as container grown specimen brought under cover through winter. This species will also tolerate sun and can be kept on the drier side. This is not to say it should be planted in full sun, or not watered at all, but it will tolerate more sun and drier conditions than many other tree ferns! Planting The condition in which C. tomentosissima thrives is in open areas, with some protection from the midday sun. The soil should be loosely drained with lots of organic matter and watered daily during very hot periods. C. tomentosissima plants should never be brought as bare rooted trunks in the UK, as the chances of the plant surviving are very low. Prior to planting the give your C. tomentosissima a good water. Once you are ready to plant your tree fern dig a hole several times bigger than the root system and fill it with a mixture of 2 parts ericaceous compost, 1 part sharp sand, 1 part well rotted leaf mould and a hand full of fish, blood and bone. Once planted make sure the plant is kept well watered. Maintenance C. tomentosissima will not need a great deal of attention throughout the year except in extreme hot or cold conditions. In winter make sure the plant is given the necessary protection to ensure it is not harmed by prolonged frosts. In the summer make sure when the temperature exceeds 30°C that the plant has some shade from the midday heat and that the plant does not go for long spells without water. The plant will also benefit from a good layer of leaf mulch around the roots all year, as well as a very diluted feed twice fortnightly from spring until the end of summer using a 'complete fertiliser'. During the spring the plant will benefit from a hand full of a slow release fertiliser such as fish, blood and bone or chicken pellets from being scattered sparingly around the roots. Over wintering It may be possible to keep this fern outside in the warmest parts of the UK if it is well protected, but anywhere that sees temperatures drop below -2˚C (28˚F) regularly in the winter months should consider bring the plant under cover, into an unheated greenhouse or conservatory. If this plant is well wrapped and left outside the plant will still need some air circulation to ensure the plant will not rot. Botanical Information and Overview Family Name: Cyatheaceae. Genus: Cyathea. Species: tomentosissima. Position: Sunny - partial shade. Soil: Humus-rich, neutral to acid soil. Growth Rate: medium - fast. Eventual spread: 2.5m. Max Height: 3m. Hardiness: Half Hardy - they are hardy down to -2˚C and the foliage is hardy to 0˚C. Winter tips: Bring plant into unheated green house or conservatory. Summer tips: Keep the plant well watered during hot periods.
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