Australian Tree Fern

Divide and Pot

While at a nursery I spotted a very wilted Australian Tree Fern, Sphaeropteris cooperi in a gallon pot. Since I could see a fiddle head that was still alive I made an offer for the plant, commenting that I might be able to get it to live. The cashier, not fooled by my disparaging remarks, pointed out that there might be 2 plants in the pot. In the end, I did get a small discount.

Once home the plant recovered some and did develop two growing points. About the time both got four or five fronds the pot got knocked over and wilted. Another few weeks and the plants were recovered enough to separate and put them in their own pots.

While I have some experience growing ferns from spore I cannot remember ever separating an older tree fern. I decided that since cutting them apart would likely damage up to 50% of the roots that I would use a pot only 1 size larger. Readers should note that this pot contained two plants, most likely on transplanting at the sporophyte stage a second plant was accidentally placed in the same pot. I have never divided a fern that had only one growing point. (That is actually cut into the terminal with a knife. I may try this some time in the future with both a tree fern and a bird’s nest).

A close examination verified that there were really two ferns in the pot and not one branched at the base.
Photo 1, 2

When I slipped the fern out of the pot I could see that there was a heavy root growth throughout the pot. There were many feeder roots present. I wedged a sharp knife between the two bases used a slicing/cutting motion as I did not want to tear or break the roots. The two plants came apart with little effort It was interesting to see that root development was not nearly so dense inside the root ball.
Photo 3, 4

I could also see that there had been no connection at the base of the plants.
Photo 5

I added enough rich compost to the pots to bring the plants up to just below the level of the rims of the pots. I centered the plants and added more compost, tamping it down moderately. The last step was to water the plants and check the drainage.
Photo 6

Once the plants establish I’ll add some dilute liquid fertilizer.

CYATHEACEAE : Sphaeropteris cooperi
As is common there is some debate as to the proper scientific name of this plant. Currently many taxonomists call this plant Cyathea cooperi I don't know if S.cooperi is considered a synonym or obsolete. Then again, in a few years S. cooperi may be in favor again. I 'll leave mine as Sphaeropteris until I read the who and why for the name change.

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