Häpu‘u (Hawaiian Tree Fern)

[AnonYMouse]

Anyone know where I can get this? Kawamoto doesn't/won't sell them.

I've recently mounted a few plants to the regular crumbly tree fern and I would really rather use the Hawaiian stuff.

[Nexogen]

Exo Terra Tree Fern:

Amazon.com : Exo Terra Tree Fern Tropical Background Panels : Pet Supplies

Tree Fern Pots or Slabs:

Terrarium Plants at Hawaiian Botanicals

[AnonYMouse]

Thanks for the effort but neither are Häpu‘u. (BTW, I've seen it spelled differently. This spelling is from one of the UH departments.)

If you've (general "you" not a specific "you") ever acquired a mounted plant from Kawamoto, you know what I'm talking about. Häpu‘u fiber is more densely packed, doesn't fall apart, more absorbant, just different.

[Nexogen]

I bought the Hawaiian and is exactly what you need (?) but do not know if you can import from Canada.

Open Terrarium Plants at Hawaiian Botanicals and go to Supplies.

--------------

Exo Terra Tree Fern is quite good if you wash it thoroughly before you fit the plant.

[AnonYMouse]

Folks in Hawaii have any leads?

[Hawaiian Sunshine]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

Folks in Hawaii have any leads?

The hapuu boards used by Kawamoto Orchid Nursery are not made in Hawaii. Carmela Orchids also has and uses these boards. They are imported from an unknown source off island, probably from Florida. The boards are great for mounting and hanging plants. Wish I knew where they're getting them too.

[Ray]

Anonymouse, did you read this?

Originally Posted by Hawaiian Sunshine

The hapuu boards used by Kawamoto Orchid Nursery are not made in Hawaii. Carmela Orchids also has and uses these boards. They are imported from an unknown source off island, probably from Florida. The boards are great for mounting and hanging plants. Wish I knew where they're getting them too. <RB Edit: most of the Florida-sourced tree fern is from Central- or South America>

Over the years, I have seen a great deal of variation in the density and overall quality of tree fern. It may have to do with the species, the maturity of the harvested material, the specific conditions under which it was grown, or even where in the "trunk" it is taken. I would not doubt for a moment that Kawamoto and Carmela - two excellent growers - might not specify particular grades though, and maybe that's the difference you're seeing. Unfortunately, as an individual grower, that makes it hard to get exactly what you want.

I did a quick search for "Hawaiian Tree Fern" , and found this by the University of Hawaii Extension Service.

[AnonYMouse]

Originally Posted by Ray

Anonymouse, did you read this?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Ray

Over the years, I have seen a great deal of variation in the density and overall quality of tree fern. It may have to do with the species, the maturity of the harvested material, the specific conditions under which it was grown, or even where in the "trunk" it is taken. I would not doubt for a moment that Kawamoto and Carmela - two excellent growers - might not specify particular grades though, and maybe that's the difference you're seeing. Unfortunately, as an individual grower, that makes it hard to get exactly what you want.

"Plant is mounted on hapu'u (Hawaiian tree Fern)", is the exact wording Kawamoto uses. Certainly the material is different from anything I see now and from 40 years ago when my father was actively growing orchids. All I can say is it is fantastic stuff.

Originally Posted by Ray

I did a quick search for "Hawaiian Tree Fern" , and found this by the University of Hawaii Extension Service.

Serious conservation needs to disseminate information quickly, easily and concisely. "Considered threatened" and "Apparently secure" are wishy washy statements used for our particular bias and provides huge legal wiggle room. What is the terminology used by whatever governing agency that decides all this? Obviously, the use of this material is not prohibited.

I'm done. It's a moot point since I can't get the stuff and I find I'm repeating myself. This thread is now bordering on pedantic and to my mind, not in a good way.

---------- Post added at 12:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:14 PM ----------

I retract my "I'm done".

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

Sun shine, perhaps everyone needs sun shine

back at'cha.

I have sunshine. What I need is rain and lots of it (but not all at once like TX is getting now).

[No-Pro-mwa]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

Yes.



"Plant is mounted on hapu'u (Hawaiian tree Fern)", is the exact wording Kawamoto uses. Certainly the material is different from anything I see now and from 40 years ago when my father was actively growing orchids. All I can say is it is fantastic stuff.


Serious conservation needs to disseminate information quickly, easily and concisely. "Considered threatened" and "Apparently secure" are wishy washy statements used for our particular bias and provides huge legal wiggle room. What is the terminology used by whatever governing agency that decides all this? Obviously, the use of this material is not prohibited.

I'm done. It's a moot point since I can't get the stuff and I find I'm repeating myself. This thread is now bordering on pedantic and to my mind, not in a good way.

---------- Post added at 12:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:14 PM ----------

I retract my "I'm done".



back at'cha.

I have sunshine. What I need is rain and lots of it (but not all at once like TX is getting now).

I getcha, today we have sunshine and my spirits are high. Well mine are never to bad when we have rain, love, love,love the rain. We don't get that much. Poor people in Texas, and they have been in a drought. Feast or famine.

[lepetitmartien]

Certainly Brazil.

Now given the slow growth of all tree ferns, even if it's great with orchids, it'd be better to avoid such products for conservation reasons. Now I can understand that some difficult species may be very touchy in this regards. But we have alternatives working 99.9% of the time, it's good for tree ferns and primary forests.