Kevin..just put holes in the bottom of your bag of perlite & run water thru it. The dust just goes to the bottom of the bag. I also do this with my charcoal bags..saves having black dust everywhere 😊
I have been using tree fern for about 3 years now. I started using it to root my hoyas and then started using it with other amendments as a soiless aroid mix. I love it so much.
I've been using tree fern for 4-5 years, I'm from New Zealand and originally grew orchids before I started on all other plants. Yes you can use it on phals, all my phals ploychilos and phal types are in tree fern, bark and pumice mix...... actually pretty much all my orchids are unless they are in lecca. Don't overthink you mix to much, as long as it's airy it's fine. I put tree fern in pretty much all my mixes these days apart from my cacti. P.S you don't need to break up the fern chunks, they add structure which is good.
Love New Zealand, my hubby and i went 3x, 20 years ago. He was a Surfer so we went all over, and went to both islands! Lovely people too!!! I couldn't believe how giant the tree ferns were. We really enjoyed being there, your so lucky🤗😉🌴
I love your videos Kevin!! You make me laugh. I love this video in particular because I love hearing your thought process and love that you are not afraid to post videos of you trying new things and taking us along with you on this experiment. Thank you!
Also not sure if this super red crystal cross is originally from wuhoo because if it is you are lucky to get one! I tried but they sold out fast. Excited to see the growth updates for this one
I followed the Sydney plant guy and changed all my moss poles to tree fern fiber/moss mixes. So far they are super happy after 3 months. Leca Queen also recommended so I went all in. I’m seeing a big difference.
I like to mix tree fern with moss in my poles. Makes a huge difference with moisture retention and ease of watering. Also great for propagations in plastic cups. I’ve never used in self watering planter situations, so looking forward to seeing your results
Some people have been copying Jay Vannini’s potting mix! A well known cultivator from the SF Bay Area! he uses tree fern and it’s pretty chunky and airy still Edit: Forgot to mention that he has a greenhouse though
You can mix it with PON, Fluval, or aroid mix. Since you only use two, mix it with the PON. I have mixed it with sphagnum for my poles, but it is too soon to tell if that works. I did use in mixed with fluval for my ginny node I have been fighting with for over a year and it is finally showing off. I also have an albo node sitting in fluval and fern and it looks like something is happening. I am not professional, but I would put some biochar, worm casting, compost mix for those Anthuriums so there is some holding on to some moisture around those roots.
Glad you’ve decided to try tree fern fiber. I’ve been using tree fern for a yr & I mix it with everything for any genus. Thanks for sharing Kevin & looking fwd to updates!
Hi! Great that you're taking us with you on this journey, I love that! 😊 I haven't seen tree fern here in Norway yet. But I hope it'll come. Great video 🙌
I’ve seen it in online shops in the UK, Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium. Maybe theres a shop within Europe that ships to Norway? 😊 (Also, sometimes pet shops sell the fernwood tree fern fibre as bedding)
Iam from Switzerland and bought some in Germany. Very expensive. For some reason here in Europe doesn't seem to be openly available. On the other hand we have Something like 10 different Lechuza Pon. I like the Orchi Pon. I think it already has some char in it.
Great video Kevin! I love love love loooooove tree fern! I started using it last year, and I will never go back to any other substrate. I mix mine with coco coir (buffered), perlite (chunky), worm castings, and sometimes charcoal if I have it on hand. I find it doesn’t become hydrophobic like other substrates. Specially if it mix it with aroid mix, or coco coir. Good luck!!!! 🍀
I see a lot of people doing tree fern fibre with soil/aroid mixes, and in with pon, even perlite, or stratum (I've only used it a couple of times in my moss poles (makes it easier to chop the moss first and then mix TFF into it) since I've seen multiple people recommending it in the last 6 months or so 😊 seems to be a good idea so far
You should see the size of the perlite that OptimizeOrganics (BC based 🇨🇦) sells! I order all of my amendments from them and their Jumbo Perlite is Huge!! I'd guess a #6 or maybe even #8 (I'm not familiar with the grading sizes, but compared to the #4 you have, it looks about half the size at least)
My Hoya love unmixed tree fern (I root in moss/perlite though since that has an almost perfect success rate for me, almost all of the Hoya cuttings that I tried to root in tree feen rotted, but the transplanted rooted cuttings took off quickly) Alocasias too, they make massive root systems in it (once they are adjusted) and the corms sprout easily Just a heads up for things to try 😊 I feel like mixing tree fern with potting soil/coir would only be useful if people usually let their soil dry out until it is hydrophobic and the tree fern would help in rehydrating it. If not for that reason I think it is a waste of the tree fern as the potting soil/coir would undo/clog up the air pockets. (If you scoop the perlite instead of pouring it theres less dust and no clouds)
Hahaha I bought the same bag and when I received it I noticed it wasn’t like the smaller bag I bought at first which said tropical substrate and the big bag said orchid. Seems like the tropical mix is more twiggy. With that being said I have some plants in just pure tree fern and just water them with superthrive, liquidirt and great white and they love it. I have some that are in a soil mix with tree fern fiber, perlite #3 and orchid bark and they grow just as fast the only difference is that I notice more spring tails in the soil mix which is pretty annoying. If I had to choose I would pick the soil mix with tree fern because there’s more nutrients in it and I feel comfortable on those lazy weeks to just water with tap water. But I’m still learning so I’m going to be watching your journey to see how I change up my next batch 💕
I'm picturing #8 perlite as a bag of ping-pong balls. haha. I bought two similar-sized bags of #4 a few months ago and I also think it's too big. I've been using it, but I'm going to buy #3 next time.
I recently moved most of my monsteras to tree fern fiber and it really has been such a game changer. I have exclusively used pon for the last 4 years but my roots were just rotting. But in tree fern, they have been growing so robust! My anthuriums are still in pon. I don’t get as much root rot with them
The reason stratum works is because of the nutrients. It is too low to add anything significant in a mix. It also eventually turns to mud. Not airy at all.
You will not regret Silicia. I have used a couple brands and kinds and Impello Dune is my go to because it is a mono sicilic acid that is available as soon as you feed. My alocasia, Monsteras and my baby anthuriums love it. It helps against pests too.
I've started over the winter after trying to find a substrate in Northern BC. I don't have pon but I do a leca layer then my mix, tree fern, lava rock (winter non slip bag), perlite, vermiculite, stratum, and for the pole I add moss to the same mix. Learned so much since this obsession started from watching you videos ❤
The mychro should be put on the roots if you have the plant out and are going to pot it up. I just bought that too and will be using it in the water as well as Cal-Mag. I am with you to each his own on the way you want to build your mix. 😊
Kevin! I’m excited I have a bag of tree fern on the way to see how my anthuriums do in it. And the first anthurium seedling I ever bought was from Pinoydendron, right here in New Jersey 😊
I was just literally watching NXC's video right before this 😃 I want to try tree fern too but they are so pricey. Just ordered a small pack to try out 😊
Hello from Puerto Rico!! I find the tree fern fiber a game changer…live it!! I also do add earthworm castings!! I only use the stratum for my terrariums. Enjoy!! 🪴🪴🪴
I use tree fern mixed with pumice & SOMETIMES A littleee soil. But I genuinely don’t think it’s necessary, I do swear by GREAT WHITE !!❤️ my anthuriums will not stop growing
I’m so excited that you’re sharing this journey with us! I haven’t done tree fern yet, it just feels like an expensive substrate but I want to so bad 😭 but I also want to try lechuza pon so let’s see what I go with first
I’m still using leca because of you and your videos and the big beautiful leaves you were creating in them. I’m happy. I’m later than you cause I never switched to pon and not switching to tree fern. Why change something that’s working well.
Also, that Aurea???! beautiful! My Aurea has reverted to ALL Yellow 😮But, it doesn’t brown at all unless it’s been over a year or so. it’s wild to me. No matter how much I water, or whatever mix it’s In the leaves are also Curley. I have no idea what it is at this point but to me it’s pretty cool ❤
Oh my goodness when you were pouring the perlite 😂😂 you make me laugh so much. Love tree fern for my anthurium seedlings, but as they get bigger? It just dries out so fast.
I like the idea of tree fern, but has been a no for me and my NW Florida collection.A lot of people seem to love it, though.🤷🏾♀️ Just one of those things that largely depends on conditions.
Hello! Why doesn’t it work for you? It seems everyone’s advocating for tree fern now and while I love love love growing in pon for mature plants and stratum with perlite for seedlings, the noise is making me wonder lol. Would love to know why it didn’t work for your conditions so I can assess my conditions as well (and hopefully decide that it’s not for me too lol).
Yeah I tried tree fern and didn’t really notice a difference buuuut I’m an over waterer 🤷🏻♀️ and yeah I have a ton of spring tails in one of my plant areas. They are just gross! Like teeny roaches 🤢
Hey Kevin, here is the mixture I've been using. I really like it so far. I put it together based on the Hoya mix a seller I love uses. She uses orchic bark and fine coco core but I like orchiata and TFF. 8 parts PON 1 part Charcoal 5 parts Orchiata 2 parts TFF 1 part fine Zeolite (just because I have it) I'm probably going to start using PON & Perlite at a 3 part to 1 part ratio as that's what I've been using for my regular PON plants. It stretches the PON. Also, when I run out of charcoal I'm going to eliminate it and see if there is any difference. I’d definitely recommend #3 Perlite as #4 is just too big IMNSHO. I've been having better luck transferring my plants into this mix in no drainage and/or self-watering straight from soil. I've only lost a couple of new Hoya and they weren't happy to start with so… I've put my Jose Bueno, a FLOBE and a couple other philos in it. I also put my BM flames in it. They're all loving it. The plan is to transfer all my Hoya into this mix - its going to take me awhile as I have a lot (way too many!) I've also started putting my Anthurium in it and they seem to love it! Mycos is a game changer. Good luck! I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.
Unfortunately, I do not recommend using tree fern for medium and pole. Tree ferns becoming extinct in nature and the most important factor of diverse ecosystem.
Kevin..just put holes in the bottom of your bag of perlite & run water thru it. The dust just goes to the bottom of the bag. I also do this with my charcoal bags..saves having black dust everywhere 😊
I have been using tree fern for about 3 years now. I started using it to root my hoyas and then started using it with other amendments as a soiless aroid mix. I love it so much.
I've been using tree fern for 4-5 years, I'm from New Zealand and originally grew orchids before I started on all other plants. Yes you can use it on phals, all my phals ploychilos and phal types are in tree fern, bark and pumice mix...... actually pretty much all my orchids are unless they are in lecca. Don't overthink you mix to much, as long as it's airy it's fine. I put tree fern in pretty much all my mixes these days apart from my cacti. P.S you don't need to break up the fern chunks, they add structure which is good.
Love New Zealand, my hubby and i went 3x, 20 years ago. He was a Surfer so we went all over, and went to both islands! Lovely people too!!! I couldn't believe how giant the tree ferns were. We really enjoyed being there, your so lucky🤗😉🌴
I love your videos Kevin!! You make me laugh. I love this video in particular because I love hearing your thought process and love that you are not afraid to post videos of you trying new things and taking us along with you on this experiment. Thank you!
Also not sure if this super red crystal cross is originally from wuhoo because if it is you are lucky to get one! I tried but they sold out fast. Excited to see the growth updates for this one
How did plants survive before all these products 😂
Tree fern fiber is the best!!! I tried pon but my anthuriums love tree fern way more. Much larger leaves!
I followed the Sydney plant guy and changed all my moss poles to tree fern fiber/moss mixes. So far they are super happy after 3 months. Leca Queen also recommended so I went all in. I’m seeing a big difference.
Tried my custom tree fern fibre mix last week, so 🤞🏻 for both of us 😄🌱
Omg we’re on this journey togetherrrrr
I like to mix tree fern with moss in my poles. Makes a huge difference with moisture retention and ease of watering. Also great for propagations in plastic cups. I’ve never used in self watering planter situations, so looking forward to seeing your results
ooooo I've been wanting to try tree fern hmmmm she's a pretty penny tho lol
Right! Those bags were just $45-50 bucks less than a year ago😢 lol I’m so mad that I didn’t buy it then.
@@EverythingWithToshaK EXACTLY!!!!
Some people have been copying Jay Vannini’s potting mix! A well known cultivator from the SF Bay Area! he uses tree fern and it’s pretty chunky and airy still
Edit:
Forgot to mention that he has a greenhouse though
You can mix it with PON, Fluval, or aroid mix. Since you only use two, mix it with the PON. I have mixed it with sphagnum for my poles, but it is too soon to tell if that works. I did use in mixed with fluval for my ginny node I have been fighting with for over a year and it is finally showing off. I also have an albo node sitting in fluval and fern and it looks like something is happening. I am not professional, but I would put some biochar, worm casting, compost mix for those Anthuriums so there is some holding on to some moisture around those roots.
i just use tree fern, PON and sometimes lava rocks. Started using it 3-4 years ago. It's great mix
Glad you’ve decided to try tree fern fiber. I’ve been using tree fern for a yr & I mix it with everything for any genus. Thanks for sharing Kevin & looking fwd to updates!
Alice uses tree fern fiber mixed with her potting mix,(whatever it is), to plant her anthuriums.
Hi! Great that you're taking us with you on this journey, I love that! 😊 I haven't seen tree fern here in Norway yet. But I hope it'll come. Great video 🙌
Aw thank you so much I’m hoping I like it! Omg norway 🇳🇴!
I’ve seen it in online shops in the UK, Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium. Maybe theres a shop within Europe that ships to Norway? 😊
(Also, sometimes pet shops sell the fernwood tree fern fibre as bedding)
Iam from Switzerland and bought some in Germany. Very expensive. For some reason here in Europe doesn't seem to be openly available. On the other hand we have Something like 10 different Lechuza Pon. I like the Orchi Pon. I think it already has some char in it.
I use Molly’s Aroid Mix, Tree Fern Fiber and Bonsai Jack Gritty mix for my Anthuriums and Alocasia’s. So far it’s great!
Great video Kevin! I love love love loooooove tree fern! I started using it last year, and I will never go back to any other substrate. I mix mine with coco coir (buffered), perlite (chunky), worm castings, and sometimes charcoal if I have it on hand.
I find it doesn’t become hydrophobic like other substrates. Specially if it mix it with aroid mix, or coco coir. Good luck!!!! 🍀
This is soo exciting i cant wait to see results you made a very nice mix. Thank you for sharing this
Hey Kevin, awesome video. You’re hilarious in a good way😊
thank you for posting
I see a lot of people doing tree fern fibre with soil/aroid mixes, and in with pon, even perlite, or stratum (I've only used it a couple of times in my moss poles (makes it easier to chop the moss first and then mix TFF into it) since I've seen multiple people recommending it in the last 6 months or so 😊 seems to be a good idea so far
You should see the size of the perlite that OptimizeOrganics (BC based 🇨🇦) sells! I order all of my amendments from them and their Jumbo Perlite is Huge!! I'd guess a #6 or maybe even #8 (I'm not familiar with the grading sizes, but compared to the #4 you have, it looks about half the size at least)
I cannot wait for your results!
My Hoya love unmixed tree fern (I root in moss/perlite though since that has an almost perfect success rate for me, almost all of the Hoya cuttings that I tried to root in tree feen rotted, but the transplanted rooted cuttings took off quickly)
Alocasias too, they make massive root systems in it (once they are adjusted) and the corms sprout easily
Just a heads up for things to try 😊
I feel like mixing tree fern with potting soil/coir would only be useful if people usually let their soil dry out until it is hydrophobic and the tree fern would help in rehydrating it.
If not for that reason I think it is a waste of the tree fern as the potting soil/coir would undo/clog up the air pockets.
(If you scoop the perlite instead of pouring it theres less dust and no clouds)
Hahaha I bought the same bag and when I received it I noticed it wasn’t like the smaller bag I bought at first which said tropical substrate and the big bag said orchid. Seems like the tropical mix is more twiggy. With that being said I have some plants in just pure tree fern and just water them with superthrive, liquidirt and great white and they love it. I have some that are in a soil mix with tree fern fiber, perlite #3 and orchid bark and they grow just as fast the only difference is that I notice more spring tails in the soil mix which is pretty annoying. If I had to choose I would pick the soil mix with tree fern because there’s more nutrients in it and I feel comfortable on those lazy weeks to just water with tap water. But I’m still learning so I’m going to be watching your journey to see how I change up my next batch 💕
Kevin, WHERE did you get the granddaddy bag of tree fern, please and thank you.
I just started using tree fern and my anthurium seem to love it.
I'm picturing #8 perlite as a bag of ping-pong balls. haha. I bought two similar-sized bags of #4 a few months ago and I also think it's too big. I've been using it, but I'm going to buy #3 next time.
I recently moved most of my monsteras to tree fern fiber and it really has been such a game changer. I have exclusively used pon for the last 4 years but my roots were just rotting. But in tree fern, they have been growing so robust! My anthuriums are still in pon. I don’t get as much root rot with them
The reason stratum works is because of the nutrients. It is too low to add anything significant in a mix. It also eventually turns to mud. Not airy at all.
You will not regret Silicia. I have used a couple brands and kinds and Impello Dune is my go to because it is a mono sicilic acid that is available as soon as you feed. My alocasia,
Monsteras and my baby anthuriums love it. It helps against pests too.
Yess love the video Kevin!! Can’t wait to see how it goes for you. Thanks for the shoutout ❤
I've started over the winter after trying to find a substrate in Northern BC. I don't have pon but I do a leca layer then my mix, tree fern, lava rock (winter non slip bag), perlite, vermiculite, stratum, and for the pole I add moss to the same mix. Learned so much since this obsession started from watching you videos ❤
The mychro should be put on the roots if you have the plant out and are going to pot it up. I just bought that too and will be using it in the water as well as Cal-Mag. I am with you to each his own on the way you want to build your mix. 😊
I can’t wait to see how all these plants grow up in the tree fern fiber.
Kevin! I’m excited I have a bag of tree fern on the way to see how my anthuriums do in it. And the first anthurium seedling I ever bought was from Pinoydendron, right here in New Jersey 😊
I was just literally watching NXC's video right before this 😃 I want to try tree fern too but they are so pricey. Just ordered a small pack to try out 😊
Hello from Puerto Rico!! I find the tree fern fiber a game changer…live it!! I also do add earthworm castings!! I only use the stratum for my terrariums. Enjoy!! 🪴🪴🪴
Tree Fern 'Panels' are the BEST HANDS DOWN for growing Vining species in vivarium's. Its Epiphytes plants with Aerial Roots would be grabbing onto.
I use tree fern mixed with pumice & SOMETIMES A littleee soil. But I genuinely don’t think it’s necessary, I do swear by GREAT WHITE !!❤️ my anthuriums will not stop growing
I’m so excited that you’re sharing this journey with us! I haven’t done tree fern yet, it just feels like an expensive substrate but I want to so bad 😭 but I also want to try lechuza pon so let’s see what I go with first
I’m still using leca because of you and your videos and the big beautiful leaves you were creating in them. I’m happy. I’m later than you cause I never switched to pon and not switching to tree fern. Why change something that’s working well.
I’ve heard springtails are good because they eat the other pests and lot the plants.
If I ever saw one I would freak out. I have no idea what they look like but any crawling thing is an enemy LOL.
I use the number 4 perlite. It’s that size. I like it mixed in my potting mix.
The perlite isn’t hurting anything sitting on top of the substrate.
This content came at the perfect time for me. I add orhiata which I absolutely love!!! I can’t wait for a follow up 🎉
Also, that Aurea???! beautiful! My Aurea has reverted to ALL Yellow 😮But, it doesn’t brown at all unless it’s been over a year or so. it’s wild to me. No matter how much I water, or whatever mix it’s In the leaves are also Curley. I have no idea what it is at this point but to me it’s pretty cool ❤
Omg I think you just cracked the code! That’s so interesting mine just melt 🤣🤣
You forgot to add orchiata bark for orchids.
I kept on laughing at those gigantic perlite pieces
Just purchased my first anthurium seedling from David! Antolakii ‘round’ x Michelle (Doc Block) ❤
Oh my goodness when you were pouring the perlite 😂😂 you make me laugh so much. Love tree fern for my anthurium seedlings, but as they get bigger? It just dries out so fast.
Your making me want a burle marx flame now. I have been resisting 😂😂
Hmmmm interesting about the drying out once they get older. Thanks! And for the bmf maybe wait for the price to drop or get it in a trade.
I got mine in a tiny tissue culture. It's growing!
If you keep pulling the perlite out of the pots and putting back in the substrate you only have perlite in the end.
Dampen the tree fern as your mixing it! Otherwise the dust gets EVERYWHERE!!!! Especially up your nose
Thank youuuu yeah I didn’t realize until after, all my surfaces were covered 😅 lesson learned
EXACTLY the perlite pouring technique I use😂 HAHAJAHAHHA
LOLOLOLOL HILARIOUS 😂
I like the idea of tree fern, but has been a no for me and my NW Florida collection.A lot of people seem to love it, though.🤷🏾♀️ Just one of those things that largely depends on conditions.
Hello! Why doesn’t it work for you? It seems everyone’s advocating for tree fern now and while I love love love growing in pon for mature plants and stratum with perlite for seedlings, the noise is making me wonder lol. Would love to know why it didn’t work for your conditions so I can assess my conditions as well (and hopefully decide that it’s not for me too lol).
🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
just like spray the perlite with some water to stop the dust
Scoop perlite and treefern fiber rather than pour. Less particulate in the air. Less inhaled.
Yeah I tried tree fern and didn’t really notice a difference buuuut I’m an over waterer 🤷🏻♀️ and yeah I have a ton of spring tails in one of my plant areas. They are just gross! Like teeny roaches 🤢
No Hoyas ?
Hey Kevin, here is the mixture I've been using. I really like it so far. I put it together based on the Hoya mix a seller I love uses. She uses orchic bark and fine coco core but I like orchiata and TFF.
8 parts PON
1 part Charcoal
5 parts Orchiata
2 parts TFF
1 part fine Zeolite (just because I have it)
I'm probably going to start using PON & Perlite at a 3 part to 1 part ratio as that's what I've been using for my regular PON plants. It stretches the PON. Also, when I run out of charcoal I'm going to eliminate it and see if there is any difference.
I’d definitely recommend #3 Perlite as #4 is just too big IMNSHO.
I've been having better luck transferring my plants into this mix in no drainage and/or self-watering straight from soil. I've only lost a couple of new Hoya and they weren't happy to start with so…
I've put my Jose Bueno, a FLOBE and a couple other philos in it. I also put my BM flames in it. They're all loving it. The plan is to transfer all my Hoya into this mix - its going to take me awhile as I have a lot (way too many!) I've also started putting my Anthurium in it and they seem to love it!
Mycos is a game changer.
Good luck! I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.
NOT THE FIST Kevinnn
Charmaine and Alice use no drainage not self watering planters.
Unfortunately, I do not recommend using tree fern for medium and pole. Tree ferns becoming extinct in nature and the most important factor of diverse ecosystem.
First comment!
Thank you 🙏💚
I don’t care for coco coir at all