Calochlaena dubia
Calochlaena dubia · Dicksoniaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant calochlaena dubia: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Dicksonia antarctica fern
- Family
- Dicksoniaceae
- Plant type
- Tree fern
- Foliage
- Evergreen, semi-evergreen depending on climate
- Adult size
- 1 to 2 m in height
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Moderate (0 to 10 °C minimum)
- Origin
- Oceania (Australia, New Zealand)
Care
Watering
Keep the substrate constantly moist but without water stagnation. Water regularly during the growing season and reduce watering in winter. Tree ferns appreciate a humid atmosphere: mist the trunk and fronds regularly, especially in dry air.
Light exposure
Place the fern in partial shade or indirect light, away from direct sun rays which would scorch the fronds. A bright but filtered location, near an east or north-facing window, is ideal.
Substrate and soil
Use a rich, well-draining mixture: leaf mould, peat or fine bark combined with compost. Check that water drains properly to prevent trunk rot.
Nutrition
Fertilize every two months from March to September with a light, diluted and balanced fertilizer. Reduce application in autumn and stop in winter. Ferns prefer moderate feeding to excess.
Pruning and maintenance
Regularly remove dead or damaged fronds at the base of the trunk. Avoid cutting healthy green fronds. Gently clean the foliage to remove dust.
Pests and diseases
Watch for mealybugs and spider mites, particularly in dry air. Ventilate regularly and maintain adequate humidity to limit attacks. Trunk rot occurs in case of chronic excess water.
Did you know?
Dicksoniaceae are among the oldest tree ferns still living, with a genetic lineage dating back to the Jurassic era. Some Dicksonia specimens can live for several centuries and survive forest fires, with the spongy trunk acting as a natural insulator—a remarkable heritage from the prehistoric world!
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Soft Tree-fernDicksonia antarctica
- Dicksonia squarrosaDicksonia squarrosa
- Pedunculate oakQuercus robur
- GrapevineVitis vinifera
- CamelliaCamellia japonica
- SageSalvia officinalis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.