Raffi at 19:24, 19 June 2009

2009-06-19T19:24:54Z

Pradeep: New page: NOTOC{{Plantbox | name = ''LATINNAME'' | common_names = | growth_habi...

2009-06-18T14:35:38Z

New page: __NOTOC__{{Plantbox | name = ''LATINNAME''  | common_names =  | growth_habi...

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| color = IndianRed
| image = Upload.png 
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| regnum = Plantae 
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{{Inc|

Tree ferns.

The term "tree fern" is applied commonly to ferns of the family Cyatheaceae, to distinguish
them from species of other families of ferns which, for the most part, are not at all
arborescent. A comparatively small number of Cyatheaceae, it is true, have the trunk short,
and oblique or decumbent; but in most species the trunk is erect and greatly elongate
(commonly 3 to 40 feet high) and the whole plant so unmistakably tree-like in size and
proportion, that the name "tree fern" is a most appropriate one for the family. The leaves
are usually large and are borne in a radiating palm-like crown at the apex of the trunk, or
caudex, as it is often called. The trunk itself, in the case of an ordinary mature
individual, is marked by numerous close-set leaf-scars; these serve to indicate not only the
relatively great age of the plant but its slow rate of continuous development, as well.

Tree ferns are primarily forest dwellers and occur either as component parts of the dominant
forest growth or, more commonly, as a sort of thicket or "under-forest" association in moist
partial shade beneath the crowns of the higher forest trees. They are nearly confined to wet
tropical mountain slopes which are not subject to drought or pronounced seasonal change;
they reach, therefore, their best development, both as to species and number of individuals,
upon lofty mountains and upon the seaward side of ranges which are drenched constantly by
cool moisture laden winds from the ocean.

The successful cultivation of tree ferns under glass is predicated upon these facts,
although not all the species here mentioned are horticulturally known in this country. It is
found that most species should be grown at a temperature of about 60° F. and in a rather
shallow soil; that a continuously wet but well-drained substratum is essential; and that in
general a tolerably high atmospheric humidity also is requisite for best growth. Very bright
sunlight must be guarded against in all but a few species, among these being the common
tropical American Cyathea arborea, which grows naturally in rather open places, and C.
furfuracea, a native of Cuba and Jamaica which assumes a not unattractive form in drier open
situations. As in other groups of ferns, there are certain species which demand unusual care
and minor variations of treatment, such as wrapping the trunk in sphagnum as a safeguard
against drying out. These special requirements can be determined only by experience.

The Cyatheaceae are divided technically into three tribes: Thyrsopterideae, Dicksonieae, and
Cyatheae. The first mentioned consists of a single species, Thyrsoptcris elegans, Kunze,
from Juan Fernandez. The two latter tribes may be distinguished as follows:

Sori terminal upon the veins, at or near the margin of the segments; indusia at least
bilobed, the outer lip formed of the more or less modified lobule of the leaf Dicksonieae.

Sori borne upon the back of the veins; indusium (if present) not formed of
the leaf-margin in any part.. Cyatheae.

The Dicksonieae consist of three genera:Culcita (often known as Balantium), with
about six species, all of small stature and nearly devoid of trunk; Dicksonia, with
five tropical American species and several hardy Australasian species, the latter not
uncommon in cultivation and capable of enduring unusually great extremes of cold;
and Cibotium, with four North American species and several which occur in Asia
and the islands of the Pacific.(See under Cibotium and Dicksonia.)

It is in the Cyatheae, however, that the greatest variety and extremes of leaf form
are noted, and consequently the species of this tribe are most highly esteemed in
cultivation. They are commonly associated under three genera: Cyathea, Alsophila, and
Hemitelia, distinguished mainly by characters of the indusia. One of the most graceful
species of all is Cyathea arborea, introduced into England from the West Indies by Admiral
Bligh in 1793. There are numerous species almost equally fine, many of which are not in
general cultivation. The species with clean trunks, from which the leaves are freely
deciduous after maturity, are the most pleasing; and among those which deserve especial
notice are the following: Cyathea minor, a very slender Cuban plant with trunk 6 to 12 feet
high and 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick, its several slender bipinnate leaves borne in a spreading
crown; C. portoricensis, a tall Porto Rican species with large nearly tripinnate leaves, its
rachises dark, lustrous, purplish brown; C. elegans, of Jamaica, a close ally of C. arborea,
often attaining a wide spread of leaf at an unusually early age; C. Werckleana, C. hemiotis,
and C. hastulata, of Costa Rica, a peculiar subgroup characterized by having the leaves
fully tripinnate, the ultimate rachises discontinuously alate;C.divergens, extending in one
form or another from the Andes to Costa Rica, its huge fronds exceedingly lax and sometimes
even in large plants recurved nearly to the ground; C. insignis of the Greater Antilles, in
technical characters allied to the well-known C. princeps of Mexico; C. suprastrigosa and C.
conspersa. of Costa Rica and Panama, delicate graceful tripinnatifid plants of the high
mountains; C. punctifera of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, a plant of lower range, its huge
tripinnatifid fronds remarkably beautiful from the strong contrast afforded by the slender
rich brown rachises and the unusually vivid green leaf-segments; C. aureonitens of Costa
Rica and Panama, a lofty plant with leaf-scars in distant zones, having the unusual habit
also of shedding piecemeal all its large tripinnatifid fronds, seasonally.

Of Alsophila, the two best-known species in cultivation are doubtless A. australis and A.
aspera, the latter a common West Indian plant. A. myosuroides, of Cuba, Mexico, and Central
America, has lately been reintroduced to cultivation. It is a remarkably handsome plant, its
rather harsh, heavy, gray-green, tripinnatifid leaves borne from a copious mass of slender,
glossy brown scales. Another beautiful species, A. Salvinii, from Mexico and Guatemala, has
very large tripinnate fronds, with woody castaneous rachises in striking contrast. A
favorite species in cultivation also is A. quadripinnata (A. pruinata), native in the West
Indies and from Mexico to Chile, its short trunk bearing huge four-pinnate fronds, bluish or
silvery white beneath. The genus Hemitelia includes not only plants of the above sort, with
tripinnatifid fronds (as, for example, the well-known H. capensis), but also plants of a
istinctly different type known as the subgenus Cnemidaria. These are H. horrida, of the
West Indies, and numerous related species of the American tropics, many of which have long
been cultivated in European conservatories. They are characterized mainly by short trunks
and large, leafy, simply pinnate or bipin- natifid fronds, and make a beautiful display in
cultivation. Among them may be mentioned H. speciosa, H. bella, H. grandifolia, (H.
insignis), H. spectabilis, and H. subincisa. Their characters have recently been discussed
at some length.

Considering the wealth of material available in the American tropics and the comparative
ease with which it may be secured, it is remarkable that so little attention has been given
to the introduction of recently described species. The novelty and beauty of many of these
render an effort to this end exceedingly desirable and advantageous from a horticultural
point of view. Costa Rica in particular has yielded many interesting new species within late
years. This region, which has been called the richest in the world, will doubtless be
equaled by certain parts of the Andes of South America, when that immense territory shall
have been adequately explored. William R. Maxon.

Cultivation of tender ferns.

To grow commercial varieties of ferns profitably, the first care should be to secure the
necessary number of properly built and equipped houses, with a conveniently arranged
workshop. The house which gives the most general satisfaction runs north and south, has an
even-span roof, and with a fall to roof of 6 inches to the foot. Its benches should be
arranged to be about 7 feet wide, with a 24-inch path on either side. In an 18-foot house
this will permit of having a 7-foot centertable, two 3 1/2 -foot side benches and two
24-inch paths. Benches should not be more than 3 feet above the walks, as this will bring
every part of the bench within easy reach, and will permit of every plant being in constant
sight and easily cared for, which fact is essential in the profitable cultivation of trade
ferns.

The width of house is immaterial, but when houses adjoin, a width of 27 feet has been found
to be very satisfactory, as this permits the construction of three 7-foot benches, two
24-inch paths, and two paths 2 1/2 feet wide under each gutter.

Thorough provision should be made for ventilation. For a 27-foot house, a continuous row of
ventilators of at least 3 feet in width should be provided, with some reliable apparatus for
raising same. Heating is the next important consideration. Either steam or hot water will
give equally good results if properly installed. The safest way for the average grower is to
give the heating contract to some reliable firm. Water-taps should be so arranged that a
25-foot hose attached to same will easily reach any part of the house. A 25 foot hose can
easily be carried about without injuring either itself or benches and plants; and iron pipe
is of only half the cost of good hose. In most fern-houses drip is a source of great
annoyance, and should be prevented by the use of drip-bars, by having a drip- groove plowed
into the headers immediately under the ventilating-sash, and also by having a groove in
sides of gutter-plates. This very slight additional expense will very soon pay for itself by
saving a great number of plants, especially when growing very small ferns in houses, such as
have been transplanted from spore pots into boxes. Ventilators should fit into a groove in
ridge of house and be hinged to the ridge. When ventilators are so arranged, air, which is
very desirable on a good many warm rainy days in the summer, can be given without having
plants in the houses suffering from excessive moisture. Burning of the foliage will also be
avoided, as the plants will at no time be exposed to the direct rays of the sun. Ventilators
hinged on header and opening on ridge will always give trouble. No matter what kind of
covering is put over the opening, if it efficiently excludes the burning sun's rays it will
also prevent the ingress of air.

A propagating-room should be provided; and in the case of general trade ferns raised from
spores, it is a very safe rule to calculate on having from 60 to 70 square inches of room in
the propagating-frame for every 1,000 plants desired. The propagating-frame should be 3 1/2
feet wide, have sides 9 inches high, and, to insure an even moisture, its bottom should be
covered to the thickness of 1 inch with fine cinders "with the fine ashes removed, which
make very clean and efficient drainage material. The frame should be covered with light sash
constructed with drip-bars, to carry off condensation.

Shading of fern-houses should have close attention. It is best effected by the application
of a suitable wash to the outside of glass on roof. The following composition for a wash has
given excellent results for a number of years: To two gallons of benzene or turpentine add
one pint (or more, according to time the shading is desired to remain on houses) of linseed
oil, five pounds of pure white lead and enough whitening to make proper thickness (which can
very easily be ascertained
{{SCH}}
}}

==Cultivation==
{{edit-cult}}

===Propagation===
{{edit-prop}}

===Pests and diseases===
{{edit-pests}}

==Species==


==Gallery==
{{photo-sources}}

<gallery>
Image:Upload.png| photo 1
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
</gallery>

==References==
*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963




==External links==
*{{wplink}}

{{stub}}
[[Category:Categorize]]

Tree ferns - Revision history

Raffi at 19:24, 19 June 2009

Pradeep: New page: __NOTOC__{{Plantbox | name = ''LATINNAME'' | common_names = | growth_habi...

Pradeep: New page: NOTOC{{Plantbox | name = ''LATINNAME'' | common_names = | growth_habi...