tree fern. - Orchid Board

ericst11 · #1 11-26-2010, 12:57 PM

I was woundering if someone can tell me where to buy tree fern cubes .I want to use them in the bottom of pots before i add my main medium .

camille1585 · #2 11-26-2010, 01:46 PM

Try epiweb cubes instead. The problem with treefern is that it often it comes from non sustainably managed sources,and in some places treeferns are in serious trouble. We orchid people are partially to blame because of our 'need' for this material for our plants.

Since you only want it for drainage and not as a main medium, epiweb is a perfect alternative, and has the advantage of not rotting over time so you can use it over again. As to where to get it, try First Rays. www.firstrays.com It's sold as ecoweb there.

ericst11 · #3 11-26-2010, 04:31 PM

Thanks anyways but i'm not interested in epiweb or and thing like that , If i was going that route i'd use peanuts for shipping alot cheaper.

camille1585 · #4 11-26-2010, 04:48 PM

Just curious, why do you specifically want treefern for drainage?

gnathaniel · #5 11-26-2010, 05:43 PM

Eric, Camille has a very good point about the sustainability of treefern. I've used treefern chunks this way in the past and styrofoam works much better, especially over the long term. Epiphyte roots usually love styrofoam in my experience. If you need something heavier, try quartz gravel.

Conservation concerns aside, treefern is expensive, breaks down rapidly compared to inorganic media, and accumulates enough salts from water and fertilizer that it may become irretrievably toxic to your plants' roots even before it breaks down.

Definitely not trying to browbeat you here, but I guess like Camille I'm curious as to why you're determined to use treefern.

--Nat

ericst11 · #6 11-27-2010, 12:00 AM

I think you have a point with the price it seems you can't get any that is at a fair price i will have to go with my second chose shipping popcorn I think i can buy a whole big bag for 15 dollars. thanks for the input.

Paul · #7 11-27-2010, 11:58 AM

Another "filler" you might consider ... wine corks. Even if you are not a wine drinker, if you have friends or family who are (or ones that work for a restaurant for instance), you could save them for use as a substitute for styrofoam peanuts. They take a long time to break down and its a way to recycle.

camille1585 · #8 11-27-2010, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

Another "filler" you might consider ... wine corks. Even if you are not a wine drinker, if you have friends or family who are (or ones that work for a restaurant for instance), you could save them for use as a substitute for styrofoam peanuts. They take a long time to break down and its a way to recycle.

And if you use red wine corks, a lot of orchids seem to really like the tannins!

isurus79 · #9 11-27-2010, 10:54 PM

I use wine corks with great success. They do tend to break down a bit quicker than I would like, but usually the plant outgrows the pot before that happens and be sure to put the wine corks standing on end rather than laying down. When they are laid down they collect the stuff that is breaking down (usually bark) on top and create pools of mud.

As for the tree fern, here in Hawaii we have a tree fern called hapu'u and it is very abundant with most people having one or more in their yard; so that is at least one source of sustainable tree fern. I don't know if it is sold on the mainland, however. You would have to check with your local plant store.

Connie Star · #10 11-29-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

And if you use red wine corks, a lot of orchids seem to really like the tannins!

And if you drink the red wine first, it's good for your heart!