Fernwood NZ Tree Fern Fibre - 5 Litre
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This bag size >5 litres (also available in 10 litres)
NEED LOTS? If you order more than 15 litres of substrates combined, overweight or oversize shipping may apply. You can add to the same order. I will pack well to avoid extra rates and will not incur extra costs without your okay. I'll be in touch if oversize / overweight rates apply. Anna :)
Why is Fernwood Fern Fibre so good?
Fernwood is the brand to look for when you're buying fern fibre (that's this one). It's made, so you're supporting local, but more importantly also sustainably harvested. Sourced from the tree fern Dicksonia fibrosa, from privately owned, reforested farmland in the Taranaki region.
What is Fern Fibre used for?
Fern Fibre is a popular plant substrate for everything from orchids to propagating houseplant cuttings and baby plants. There are a LOT of uses of fern fibre for indoor plants, both by itself or mixed in to improve your DIY potting mix.
For my own plants, fern fibre is my go-to for my hard-to-root cuttings, for my hoyas in particular (from cuttings to my mature hoyas, they absolutely love it), and for my mature orchids. I add it in when I make my own DIY aroid and hoya potting mix which I've used for all sorts from Anthurium to ZZ plants, Monstera, Pothos and many more. I love it for filling moss poles also (much easier maintenance than spagmoss).
"Ok so where do I start on this stuff! It’s amazing, it’s easily my favourite medium for Hoya, and orchids. The growth rate on both species of plant has gone through the roof. This medium has amazing contact with the root ball but is extremely airy. The other thing I love about it is that it’s amazing for my custom soil mixes, little bit of soil, little bit of pearlite, little bit of char, couple handfuls of tree fern fibre…. Boom, it’s the best." Emma-Marie Bovaird ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What is Fern Fibre?
Fern fibre is a natural, soft, airy, fibrous, long lasting material, and if it's the Fernwood brand, it's also sustainably sourced from the Dicksonia fibrosa tree fern in NZ. Fern Fibre is a particular favourite with epiphytes like aroids and hoyas that naturally climb and grow up tree trunks.
"I use fern fibre in most of my indoor plants potting mixes & also on its own for propagating most indoor plants cuttings (they always thrive & when it dries, it doesn't affect the cuttings the way other medium may), great drainage & also great water retention, it also allows great air circulation (to avoid compaction in potting mix)." Clarisse Weber-Blair
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What are the benefits of using Fern Fibre?
☁️ FLUFFY
That's my word for it anyway, maybe a weird choice for describing substrate I know, but it really is soft and fluffy (for a substrate). Fern Fibre's fibrous nature means it provides excellent aeration, getting precious oxygen to roots, especially valued for plants that prefer free draining substrate, and for epiphytes that like to climb and are used to their roots, and aerial roots, getting plenty of air.
💧LESS FREQUENT WATERING
Fern fibre contains a lot of air, and can retain a lot of water. As it holds water for longer than many other free-draining substrates, you won't have to water as often. A great choice for the many indoor plants that prefer moist to lightly moist conditions and don't like to fully dry out, and for those of us prone to forgetting to water, or who tend to water inconsistently. The fibrous nature means more even moisture throughout the pot due to natural capillary action.
⚖️EASIER TO KNOW WHEN TO WATER
Fern Fibre is an easier substrate to judge when it's time to water again as it changes colour from a darker chocolate brown when moist, to a lighter reddish brown when dry.
🧪LESS FERTILISER NEEDED
Fern fibre retains nutrients really well, so cuts down on how much fertiliser you need to use.
🪴LONGER LASTING = LESS FREQUENT REPOTTING
If you adjust your watering and fertilising, Fern Fibre will last for many, many years. When you might need to repot a medium like bark every year due to it breaking down, fern fibre you might be looking at every 3 to 5 years. When you do repot, you can keep the old fern fibre and just gently adding some extra down the sides when potting up, no need to throw out and replace the substrate.
🌱BETTER ROOT HEA