Brazil has an important cautionary tale to tell about tree fern fibers. My first contact with orchids was in the late 70's, early 80's. Back then, here in Brazil, ALL orchids were being planted onto tree fern fiber. It is impressively suited for most epiphyte orchids. It doesn't go bad too soon, and it releases nutrients from decomposition at a very suitable rate for the plants, making fertilization almost unnecessary, only accessory. And it holds moisture just as much as it is necessary. There was no other media being used at all in the country, except for the occasional hard wood mounting. The tree fern that was used for this and many other horticultural purposes was 𝘋𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢, very common and abundant in the Atlantic Rain Forest of Brazil's coast. But... These ferns take around 50 years to achieve a marketable size, and have been almost impossible to culture commercially because of its rain forest habits and slow growth. So the collection of wild specimens went on and decimated the species, which was already suffering a great deal from loss of habitat. In the turn of the century all commerce of tree fern products was outlawed, and today it is still under threat of extinction. So legislation changed and xaxim (the Brazilian name of tree fern fiber) was banned sending shockwaves in the orchid market. Growers took the hit and found themselves struggling to find a replacement, and I think this struggle goes on to this day. The whole paradigm of orchid growing had to change, how much to water, how much to fertilize, what kind of pot, everything. And and all almost overnight. A nightmare. And tree ferns have never recovered from the over collection. I have been hearing more and more frequently about tree fern fibers for orchid media in other countries lately, and I am not sure where it is coming from (I suppose South Asia or Oceania?), or what tree fern species it comes from, and I'm even less aware of how sustainably sourced it is... So I guess that is a good thing to check!
Excellent lesson of history. I was not aware of the specifics of Dicksonia sellowiana in Brazil but I was told indeed that tree fern fiber was once super popular and then was outlawed because of over-harvesting worldwide. It had compeltely vanished form the orchid trade. That is why I put "new" between quotation marks in my first video. The one I find locally today comes from New Zealand and my understanding is that it is harvested responsibly with quotas to ensure sustainability??? New Zealand and Australia tend to be countries with high level of environmental protections. Its rarity explains its high price. Not sure where it is available besides the US? I believe it has been available here for only 2 or 3 years???
Thank you for this great video! I bought a large bag of the new zealand fern fiber and i was a little nervous when i moved all of my 30+ phals into it. It seemed very heavy... the fiber i purchased seems to be more of a finer cut. After 6 months, though, all of my phals are doing great! I did create an abg mix that i used to make it a bit more aerated, but i think ill try a few new ones with 100% fern fiber.
Interesting information. You seem to be using very small pots with all these orchids. I've tried it with Oncidiums with mixed results. Perhaps I'm overpotting the orchids. How often do you water your orchids that are in this medium? I have found that my phals that are in this medium are doing very well. I checked all the plants for which I'm trying this medium after 4 weeks growth period and discovered that some took very quickly to it and grew new roots while others just stalled their root growth (and these were oncidiums.) I'll keep up the experiment because I think will prove itself to be a perfect medium for some orchids. Thanks for your video. I always enjoy watching them.
It is always best to pot orchids tightly as overpotting often leads to excessive moisture and root decay. The cycle of watering depends on the genus: Cycnoches, Mormodes and Cycnodes get watered as soon as they get dry (every 1 to 2 days). Oncidiums need a true wet and dry cycle. So I soak them real good once and then let them dry out entirely. When not in growth, I barely water them Gongoras should also be watered as soon as they approach dryness It looks like you are doing great with your Phals, so you probably don't need my advice but I would water them regularly since rot is not a concern in tree fern fiber. Good to hear from you as always!
Thank you for these updates! How's the japonica doing? I'm also experimenting with NZTFF and have some hit and misses. Rhynchostylis coelestis did not like it at all and neofinetia falcata looks to be on the same path. Which genera would you say this media is unsuitable for?
japonica is growing but did not bloom. I don't think it is suitable for South Florida. Rhynchostylis does not want any medium really. I am not surprised it did not like it. I don't grow neofinetia but I believe those are grown in sphagnum moss only? I would NOT grow most Vandaceous in it, nor Catasetums (it works but sphagnum moss is better) So far, the best response came from Mormodes and Cycnoches as well as Gongora and Oncidium/Trichocentrum but it is supposed to be excellent for a wide variety of plants.
Hi Olivier. Tom here. Could you please tell me where you get your tree fern from. I thought I had a source to buy it in the Orlando area but saw the guy at our society’s orchid show and he didn’t have it. I can get the plaques without any trouble but looking for the loose fill version. I like to add it to my bark, charcoal and sponge rock mixture too.
You are supposed to use tree fern fiber as a stand alone medium, not to mix it with other stuff. Green Barn Orchid Supplies in Delray Beach carries it. I believe they can mail orders? My first batch I bought from Graham Ramsey who wrote the article in AOS magazine from October 2020. You can try contacting him. grahamramsey.aos@gmail.com
Green Barn Orchid Supplies in Delray Beach. I believe they can mail orders? My first batch I bought form Graham Ramsey who wrote the article in AOS magazine from October 2020. You can try contacting him. grahamramsey.aos@gmail.com
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Per your suggestion I also use tree fern and worked out great.
Thank you so much for your tip about tree fern, I couldn't keep a Schilleriana, only since I put it in tree fern fiber it is growing like crazy!
Brazil has an important cautionary tale to tell about tree fern fibers.
My first contact with orchids was in the late 70's, early 80's. Back then, here in Brazil, ALL orchids were being planted onto tree fern fiber. It is impressively suited for most epiphyte orchids. It doesn't go bad too soon, and it releases nutrients from decomposition at a very suitable rate for the plants, making fertilization almost unnecessary, only accessory. And it holds moisture just as much as it is necessary. There was no other media being used at all in the country, except for the occasional hard wood mounting.
The tree fern that was used for this and many other horticultural purposes was 𝘋𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢, very common and abundant in the Atlantic Rain Forest of Brazil's coast. But... These ferns take around 50 years to achieve a marketable size, and have been almost impossible to culture commercially because of its rain forest habits and slow growth. So the collection of wild specimens went on and decimated the species, which was already suffering a great deal from loss of habitat. In the turn of the century all commerce of tree fern products was outlawed, and today it is still under threat of extinction.
So legislation changed and xaxim (the Brazilian name of tree fern fiber) was banned sending shockwaves in the orchid market. Growers took the hit and found themselves struggling to find a replacement, and I think this struggle goes on to this day. The whole paradigm of orchid growing had to change, how much to water, how much to fertilize, what kind of pot, everything. And and all almost overnight. A nightmare. And tree ferns have never recovered from the over collection.
I have been hearing more and more frequently about tree fern fibers for orchid media in other countries lately, and I am not sure where it is coming from (I suppose South Asia or Oceania?), or what tree fern species it comes from, and I'm even less aware of how sustainably sourced it is... So I guess that is a good thing to check!
Excellent lesson of history. I was not aware of the specifics of Dicksonia sellowiana in Brazil but I was told indeed that tree fern fiber was once super popular and then was outlawed because of over-harvesting worldwide. It had compeltely vanished form the orchid trade.
That is why I put "new" between quotation marks in my first video.
The one I find locally today comes from New Zealand and my understanding is that it is harvested responsibly with quotas to ensure sustainability??? New Zealand and Australia tend to be countries with high level of environmental protections. Its rarity explains its high price. Not sure where it is available besides the US? I believe it has been available here for only 2 or 3 years???
❤❤❤
Thank you for this great video! I bought a large bag of the new zealand fern fiber and i was a little nervous when i moved all of my 30+ phals into it. It seemed very heavy... the fiber i purchased seems to be more of a finer cut. After 6 months, though, all of my phals are doing great! I did create an abg mix that i used to make it a bit more aerated, but i think ill try a few new ones with 100% fern fiber.
Very happy to hear this! Thank you for sharing!
Great results. Thank you.
Interesting information. You seem to be using very small pots with all these orchids. I've tried it with Oncidiums with mixed results. Perhaps I'm overpotting the orchids. How often do you water your orchids that are in this medium? I have found that my phals that are in this medium are doing very well. I checked all the plants for which I'm trying this medium after 4 weeks growth period and discovered that some took very quickly to it and grew new roots while others just stalled their root growth (and these were oncidiums.) I'll keep up the experiment because I think will prove itself to be a perfect medium for some orchids. Thanks for your video. I always enjoy watching them.
It is always best to pot orchids tightly as overpotting often leads to excessive moisture and root decay.
The cycle of watering depends on the genus:
Cycnoches, Mormodes and Cycnodes get watered as soon as they get dry (every 1 to 2 days).
Oncidiums need a true wet and dry cycle. So I soak them real good once and then let them dry out entirely. When not in growth, I barely water them
Gongoras should also be watered as soon as they approach dryness
It looks like you are doing great with your Phals, so you probably don't need my advice but I would water them regularly since rot is not a concern in tree fern fiber.
Good to hear from you as always!
Great video. I tried my phals in tree fern fiber and they are doing extremely well. I watered twice a week and no root rot. My phals are now spiking.
@@genizi Thanks for this comment. My phals seem to be doing well in this medium. I seem to be getting mixed results with oncidiums.
Thanks for the update. Have you tried it with dendrobiums?
Not yet. There are MANY different types of dendrobiums too....
Thank you for these updates! How's the japonica doing? I'm also experimenting with NZTFF and have some hit and misses. Rhynchostylis coelestis did not like it at all and neofinetia falcata looks to be on the same path. Which genera would you say this media is unsuitable for?
japonica is growing but did not bloom. I don't think it is suitable for South Florida.
Rhynchostylis does not want any medium really. I am not surprised it did not like it. I don't grow neofinetia but I believe those are grown in sphagnum moss only?
I would NOT grow most Vandaceous in it, nor Catasetums (it works but sphagnum moss is better)
So far, the best response came from Mormodes and Cycnoches as well as Gongora and Oncidium/Trichocentrum but it is supposed to be excellent for a wide variety of plants.
Hi Olivier. Tom here.
Could you please tell me where you get your tree fern from. I thought I had a source to buy it in the Orlando area but saw the guy at our society’s orchid show and he didn’t have it. I can get the plaques without any trouble but looking for the loose fill version. I like to add it to my bark, charcoal and sponge rock mixture too.
You are supposed to use tree fern fiber as a stand alone medium, not to mix it with other stuff.
Green Barn Orchid Supplies in Delray Beach carries it. I believe they can mail orders? My first batch I bought from Graham Ramsey who wrote the article in AOS magazine from October 2020. You can try contacting him. grahamramsey.aos@gmail.com
That’s great info. I’ll have to read that article as I’m an AOS member.
Thanks. You’re the man.
@@user-qe8vf3pu6v Page 774 October 2020 😊😊😊
Where do you get your tree fern fiber from? I got some from Amazon but it came in a small 1qt package😱. Thanks😍
Green Barn Orchid Supplies in Delray Beach. I believe they can mail orders? My first batch I bought form Graham Ramsey who wrote the article in AOS magazine from October 2020. You can try contacting him. grahamramsey.aos@gmail.com
@@orchidhouse thanks a lot😍
what brand of tree fern would you recommend (or you actually use)
Mine comes from New Zealand and I believe it is the only available here in South Florida.