The origin and description of the plant, agricultural technology during cultivation, reproduction of dixonia, methods for combating pests and diseases, species, interesting facts. Dicksonia belongs to the genus of ferns belonging to the Dcksoniaceae family and the Cyatheales order. The family includes 25 species, but most of all indoors it is customary to grow only one species of Dicksonia antarctica. It is remarkable that the word "Antarctica" in this context means - "southern". The plant bears its name thanks to the Scottish naturalist James Dixon, who lived in 1738-1822, he was also engaged in the study of mycology (the science of mushrooms), was considered an expert on secret plants. More than this, these representatives of the green world of the planet can be seen on the islands of New Zealand, as well as in some areas of the Australian continent.
Dixonia looks very much like a palm tree, although it has nothing to do with this genus. However, its height, volumetric trunk, beautiful leafy crown at the top of the trunk will remind an unknowing person exactly of a palm tree. This fern has a powerful root system, which spreads under the ground, helps the plant to capture more and more areas, sometimes forming whole thickets. Also, due to the root system, the base quickly lignifies and, due to the remnants of old leaves, begins to resemble a trunk with deep scars. A distinctive feature of this representative of ferns is the presence of numerous adventitious roots. And the trunk, which in our understanding is ordinary, is a simple interlacing and splicing of lateral root processes that are located above the soil level. The height of dixonia can vary within 2–6 meters, with a trunk diameter of about 30 cm, therefore, when growing it in a pot, it is necessary to provide for a deep flowerpot.
When dixonia becomes an adult, its leaves can reach meter sizes, their surface is leathery. The color is rich dark green. On the reverse side, some species have bristly growths along the veins. The leaf is pinnately dissected, has an elongated reddish or brownish-green petiole. Since the scope of the leaves, which are called vayami in the fern, is very large, it will be necessary to provide more space when growing dixonia. When the plant is still young, the leaf plates form a dense rosette. At first, their surface is covered with a powdery bloom, gradually disappearing and the color of the foliage changes to a juicy green. Over time, the leaves die off and form a trunk (together with intertwined roots), painted in a rusty-red color, which will already be crowned by a grown leaf rosette.
The growth rate of this giant fern is rather low, the growth is only 8–10 cm per year, and it will reach its adult appearance only by the age of 20, respectively.
Agrotechnics for growing dixonia
- Lighting and location selection. Since the parameters of this giant fern themselves are quite impressive, an appropriate place will also be required - this can be a large room (hall or hall) or a greenhouse. Since in the conditions of its natural habitat, Dixonia settles in shady places, rooms with a northern orientation are suitable. And, despite its thermophilicity, the plant does not tolerate too bright sun, therefore rooms facing east or west are also suitable. In the south, the fern pot will have to be placed in the back of the room, or curtains should be hung on the window to scatter direct sunlight. This wonderful fern will grow well under artificial lighting. In order for the leaf crown to be symmetrical, it will be necessary to periodically rotate the pot with the plant by 1/3, since the fronds will reach for the light source.
- Temperature when growing, dixonia should not fall below 13 degrees, but room heat indicators (in the range of 20-24 degrees) are more preferable. The plant is afraid of drafts and sudden temperature changes.
- Air humidity when growing a giant fern, it should be high, therefore, you will need to carry out daily spraying, and in the hot season, even twice a day. Water is used at room temperature and without lime impurities, otherwise whitish spots will appear on the leaves. When spraying, it is important that moisture gets into all parts of the plant, not just the leaves, since the trunk is the intertwined roots.
- Watering. Since the plant is moisture-loving, it will be necessary to carry out abundant and frequent moistening of the soil in the pot. But it must be remembered that the flooding of the soil, as well as its overdrying, will negatively affect the giant fern. In the first case, the root system may rot, and in the second, leaves will fall off. For irrigation, warm and soft water is used.
- Fertilize dixony during the period from the beginning of the growing season to the autumn days. Complete mineral complexes are used, alternating with organic dressings. The frequency of fertilization is once every 2 weeks. In the autumn-summer period, the plant is not fertilized.
- Fern transplant and substrate selection. Since the growth rate of this miraculous giant is quite slow, the transplant will be required no more than once every 5 years, but if it is noticed that the plant has become cramped in the old pot, then naturally, it will be necessary to change both it and the soil in the flowerpot. In other cases, the replacement of the upper layer (3-5 cm) of the substrate is simply performed. A drainage layer (2-3 cm of pebbles or expanded clay) must be laid on the bottom of the new container. When transplanting, it is necessary to remove all roots that have begun to deteriorate. When choosing a substrate, you can use ready-made mixtures for fern plants or make up an earth mixture yourself, it should include leaf soil, humus and peat soil, coarse-grained river sand (in a ratio of 2-2-1-1).
- Pruning in no case are they carried out, as this can destroy the fern.
Dixonia breeding recommendations
Since seeds (spores) in a plant are formed only after a 20-year period, the reproduction process is very difficult.
However, if there are still disputes, then the landing can be carried out throughout the year. A substrate is poured into the container, consisting of chopped sphagnum moss, peat soil and river sand, taken in equal parts. Spores are distributed on the soil surface, and the soil is moistened with a fine spray gun. Then the container with crops is covered with plastic wrap or placed under glass. The place for the container should be with normal diffused lighting and the temperature during germination is maintained at 15–20 degrees. After 1-3 months, the first shoots will appear. As soon as the young ferns get stronger, and they have a couple of leaves, they are transplanted in separate flower pots with a selected substrate.
It is also possible to obtain a new giant fern by layering - these are young offspring that appear in an adult Dixonia. They must be carefully separated from the trunk and planted in soil similar to that of spore seeding. These parts of the plant take root very quickly, caring for them is the same as for adult specimens.
Fern pests and diseases
If the edge of the leaf wai begins to turn brown, then this is a sign of low air humidity in the room; in order to avoid this, it will be necessary to carry out frequent spraying of the plant or raise the humidity by other methods.
When it is noticed that only the tips of the leaf segments become brown, this means that the frequency and amount of watering is insufficient. It is necessary on the hottest days to abundantly moisten the soil in the flowerpot twice a day. But overdrying an earthen coma also negatively affects dixony - from this, its leaves will begin to fly around.
Pests are rarely affected.
Types of dixony
Dixonia antarctic (Dicksonia antarctica) is sometimes mentioned that this plant belongs to a different genus and bears the synonymous name Balantium antarcticum. It has a tree-like form of growth and, in the natural environment, can reach a height of up to 5 m, and occasionally approach a mark of 15 meters. The trunk is very similar to that of a tree (it is formed from an erect rhizome), in diameter it is measured in the range of 1.5–2 m, from which elongated leaf plates of a dark green color with deep cuts originate. Their surface is leathery. In special cases, the trunk may not be present. The fern has numerous adventitious root processes. The plant grows 3-5 cm per year, and it will be ready for reproduction only after 20 years.
It grows in Tasmania and in the southeastern regions of Australia, namely on the lands of the states of Victoria and New South Wales. From its thickets in Tasmania, whole fern forests are formed, and it can be found as an undergrowth of eucalyptus forests. Also, the plant is often "climbed" to grow high in the mountains, surviving there at low temperatures. In gardens, it can be cultivated in temperate regions.
Dicksonia sellowiana is very similar to the previous variety, but is smaller in height. Often found in the Atlantic Forest biome in southeastern Brazil, the province of Misiones in northeastern Argentina and the eastern lands of Paraguay. In Brazil, these areas are in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Parana, as well as Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.
It has an upright table with caudex (thickening at the base of the table), can reach a height of more than 10 meters, the leaves have a swing of up to 2 meters, feathery. Due to deforestation and mining, the species is on the verge of extinction.
May have varieties:
- Dicksonia sellowiana var. ghiesbreghtii;
- Dicksonia sellowiana var. gigantean;
- Dicksonia sellowiana var. katsteniana;
- Dicksonia sellowiana var. lobulata.
Dixonia arborescenss (Dicksonia arborescenss) is found under the name "St. Helena tree", as it is found in large numbers on the island territories of the same name in the highest part of the central ridge. It was first described in 1789 by the Frenchman Charles Louis Lhéritier de Brütel (1746-1800), who was not only a botanist, but also a judge. He used samples grown in London when working on the description. At the moment, it is under the threat of extinction due to the merciless deforestation and the growth of weeds. Previously, the height of this fern reached 6 meters, but today it rarely exceeds 4 meters.
Dixonia fibrosa (Dicksonia fibrosa) can be found under the synonymous name "golden fern tree", also "wheki-Ponga" or "kuripaka" in Maori. Native to New Zealand, South Island, Stewart and Chatham Islands, it is rarely seen in northern areas of the North Island Waikato River and Coromandel Peninsula. This variety has received the Garden Merit Award from the Royal Horticultural Society.
It has a thick, soft and fibrous trunk, painted in a rusty brown tone. It is composed of the so-called "skirt", which is formed from its dead leaves of a pale brown color. Her growth rate is very low. It can reach a height of 6 m. In any area, when growing, it requires shelter, as it does not tolerate winter frosts.
Dicksonia lanata is endemic to New Zealand. The colloquial names for this stocky tree fern are "tuakura" and "tuokura". This variety is well distinguished from other species in the genus, with its long, frond leaves of green or light brown color. The petiole is dark brown in color, short in length. The table can either be absent or reach 2 meters. On the underside of the leaves there is a prominent spiny bristle on the veins. Likes to settle in the higher regions of the North Island from the Coromandel Peninsula in the south, although rarely, it is found in the western part of the South Island. This variety was first described in 1844 by the botanist and naturalist William Colenso (1811–1899), who also studied mycology, was engaged in printing, and was engaged in missionary and political activities. This subspecies is associated with Kauri forests.
Dicksonia squarrosa is colloquially known as wheki or rough tree fern and is endemic to New Zealand. It has a thin black table (sometimes several), the surface of which is surrounded by many dead brown leaves. The growth rate is quite high, per year the growth is 10–80 cm, and the total plant height is close to 6 meters. At the top, several leaf vays are formed, which are located almost in a horizontal plane. The leaf is pinnate, its size reaches 1-3 meters in length, they are leathery to the touch. A small umbrella is assembled from the leaves, crowning the top of the trunk. The peculiarity of this variety is that the rhizomes spread quite far underground and can form dense groves, which makes it one of the most common ferns in New Zealand. Tables are often used to create fences or fences, in case the top dies off, the fronds sprout from the sides.
Dicksonia yongiae. It grows in tropical forests in New South Wales and Queensland (Australia). It is most commonly found north of the Bellinger River or in the wilderness of NightCap National Park. Like the variety, Dicksonia squarrosa can have multiple stems, reaching a maximum height of 4 meters. The growth rate is very high, the table is stretched by 10 cm per year during the growing season. Sometimes the trunks become unstable, when their height reaches 3 m, they fall. In this case, new plants can begin to grow from the fallen trunk. Not frost-resistant, will withstand only a few degrees of frost for a short time. The leaf plate is dissected, glossy, has a dark green tint. Petioles are coarse, reddish, densely covered with hairs.
Interesting facts about Dixonia
The Dicksonia antarctica variety is used by local peoples as a food source, since it has a soft core suitable for boiled or raw, and is a good source of starch.
At one time, almost 35 million years ago, such giant ferns grew almost all over the planet, but now such specimens have remained only in some places on Earth, where the climate allows them to reach large (but not in comparison with the past) sizes.
With proper care and fulfillment of all the requirements for the maintenance of this wonderful fern, it can perfectly live up to 50 years. If there are regular violations in agricultural technology, then this period will be reduced to two years.
What Dixonia looks like, see below:
