Blechnum gibbum 'SilverLady'

Common name(s): 'Silver Lady' Fern, Dwarf Tree Fern, Norfolk Island Water Fern

Family: Blechnaceae Synonym(s): Oceaniopteris gibba, Blechnum neocaledonicum, Lomaria gibba, Lomaria neocaledonica, Struthiopteris gibba

Fern

Taken by Ken Harrington

Bark

Taken by Ken Harrington

Frond

Taken by Ken Harrington

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Fern / Fern Ally Properties

Origin(s)

Fiji

Fiji: Indigenous

New Caledonia

New Cal.: Indigenous

Norfolk Island

Norfolk Is: Indigenous

New Zealand

Nth. Is.: TKI, NO, AU

Plant Type

Solitary, Terrestrial Fern

Solitary,

Terrestrial Fern

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Temperate Warm, Tropical-Sub, Tropical

Temperate Warm,

Tropical-Sub,

Tropical

Aspect Range(s)

Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light, Shade - Medium, Shade - Heavy

Shade - Dappled,

Shade - Light,

Shade - Medium,

Shade - Heavy

Habitat Range(s)

Rainforest - Sub-tropical, Rainforest - Tropical

Rainforest - Sub-tropical,

Rainforest - Tropical

Habitat Zone(s)

Garden, Gullies, Heavy soils, Lakes / Dams / Swamps, Landscape, Moist areas, Moist Valley Slopes, Riparian Areas, Rivers / Creeks / Streams, Sandy Moist, Understory, Water sides, Well drained, Wind Protected

Garden,

Gullies,

Heavy soils,

Lakes / Dams / Swamps,

Landscape,

Moist areas,

Moist Valley Slopes,

Riparian Areas,

Rivers / Creeks / Streams,

Sandy Moist,

Understory,

Water sides,

Well drained,

Wind Protected

Mature Height

750mm-1m, 1-2m

750mm-1m,

1-2m

Mature Width

1-2m

Plant Shape

Dense, Standard Crown

Growth Rate

Fast

Life Span

5-15yrs

Frond Properties

Frond Colour(s) (upper)

Green Dark, Green Light

Green Dark,

Green Light

Frond Colour(s) (lower)

Green Dark, Green Light

Green Dark,

Green Light

Frond Texture (upper)

Glabrous

Frond Texture (lower)

Glabrous

Frond Aroma

None

Frond Length

900mm-1m

Frond Width

70-80mm

Frond Shape(s)

Elliptical

Oblanceolate

Pinnate / Imparapinnate

Elliptical,

Oblanceolate,

Pinnate / Imparapinnate

Frond Position

Erect

Frond Arrangement

Radial Stemmed Dense Crown

Frond Venation

Pinnate

Pinnule Shape (Leaflet)

Subulate

Pinnule Apice(s) (Leaflet)

Acute Narrowly

Pinnule Base(s) (Leaflet)

Truncate

Pinnule Margin(s) (Leaflet)

Undulate

Pinnule Length

30-40mm

Pinnule Cross Section(s) (Leaflet)

Flat

Rachis / Stem / Scale Properties

Rachis / Stem / Stipe Upper Colour(s)

Black, Brown Dark, Grey-brown Dark

Black,

Brown Dark,

Grey-brown Dark

Rachis / Stem / Stipe Base Colour(s)

Black, Brown Dark, Grey-brown Dark

Black,

Brown Dark,

Grey-brown Dark

Rachis / Stem / Stipe Upper Texture(s)

Hairs-Coarse , Hairs-Stiff , Rough , Scaly

Hairs-Coarse,

Hairs-Stiff,

Rough,

Scaly

Rachis / Stem / Stipe Base Texture(s)

Hairs Coarse

Rough / Scabrous

Scaly

Hairs Coarse,

Rough / Scabrous,

Scaly

Hairs Stiff

Stipe / Rachis Feature(s)

Plain

Root Properties

Root Type(s)

Fibrous

Rhizome Ascending

Fibrous,

Rhizome Ascending

Root/Rhizome Texture(s)

Rough / Scabrous

Stiff , Wiry

Stiff,

Wiry

Root Colour(s)

Brown-black, Brown Dark

Brown-black,

Brown Dark

Soil Properties

Soil Type(s)

Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Organic Matter, Hummus Rich

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Organic Matter,

Hummus Rich

Soil pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid

Acid,

Slightly Acid

Soil Condition(s)

Damp

Moist

Damp,

Moist

Fertile , Shallow , Deep , Well Drained

Fertile,

Shallow,

Deep,

Well Drained

Soil Salinities

None

Waterlogging Class

W0 – Low tolerance

Other Properties / Uses

Bird Attraction(s)

Insect

Butterfly Attraction

None

Frog Habitat

Poor

Coastal

None

Edible(s)

None

Fire Regeneration(s)

Spore

Fire Retarding

None

Drought Tolerance

Poor

Frost Tolerance

Poor

Snow Tolerance

None

Smog Tolerant

Poor

Landscape Use

Good

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

Horticulture - Amenity

Special Purpose(s)

Garden - Indoors, Garden-Australian Native, Garden-Fern, Garden-Foliage, Garden-Informal, Garden-Rainforest, Garden-Tropical, Garden-Water, Interesting-Trunk, Phytophthora Susceptible, Playground Friendly, Pond Edge, Poolside, Shade Tolerant, Shady Moist, Specimen

Garden - Indoors,

Garden-Australian Native,

Garden-Fern,

Garden-Foliage,

Garden-Informal,

Garden-Rainforest,

Garden-Tropical,

Garden-Water,

Interesting-Trunk,

Phytophthora Susceptible,

Playground Friendly,

Pond Edge,

Poolside,

Shade Tolerant,

Shady Moist,

Specimen

Maintenance(s)

Dead Fronding

Pest / Diseases

Scale, Mealy Bug, Phytophthora cinnamomi

Scale,

Mealy Bug,

Phytophthora cinnamomi

Propagation

Fresh Spore

General Notes

A hardy fern for shady areas, looking like a miniature tree fern, creating a relaxed tropical feel in underplantings of larger trees. Keeping up the humidity is important to avoid frond burning, browning of the tips.

It has recieved the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit

Propagation Notes

Fresh Spore

Material Preparation

Place mature, spored fronds, cut down into smaller pieces, in a paper bag and keep warm and dry. After a few days the spores and frass will collect in the bottom of the bag, remove the fine spore dust, place in an envelope. Store in a cool dark place. Sow spore as soon as possible after collection.

Propagating Mix

Peat Moss / Coco Peat sterilized with boiling water.

Treatment

Sow spores as soon after collection as possible for best results. Once the sterilized medium has cooled, place in a pot, spread the spores over the medium. Cover the top of the pot immediately with clear plastic or glass. Stand the pot in a shallow dish of water. Place on 21° heated bed. Maintain a hothouse temperature around 21 - 25° at plant level, where possible. Remove cover 1 -2 weeks after first fronds appear, care should be taken to ensure they do not dry out. Allow to harden off before repotting.

Viable spores/gram:-

Germination time:- 2 – 8 weeks prothalli appear, a green scum on surface. 6 - 12 months for first fronds to appear.

Pricking out:- when 2nd frond appears to avoid over crowding

Tube mix:- 3 parts Coco Peat or Peat Moss + 1 part Isolite