Lophosoria quadripinnata division

[AndyC]

Can anyone of you offer advice as to the best way of dividing Lophosoria quadripinnata?
Actually, I know the answer to the question as my plant came from Chad about four years ago as a division from his plant. :)
It has done so well over the four years that I would like another to go in the opposite shady corner of the garden. It is now about 2M tall and 3M wide and outshining the two tree ferns next to it which provide the only shade since a neighbours tree was cut down.


The base is about 50cm wide with a couple of protrusions that look likely subjects for separating off from the main plant. Any tips on how best the achieve the aim please?


I’m assuming that autumn would be a better time to make the division?

[MartinNicklin]

Can't help you with the answer Andy but what a magnificent plant! Truly stunning. I've been unable to get hold of this so you're lucky to have such a beauty and good luck! I'm having to try to achieve a similar look with far less glamorous Woodwardia ferns.

[Chad]

Start 'Jane Fonda Works Out With Weights' this week.

Any time it is dormant will work, it is quite forgiving.

I found it easier to wait until the next year's crosiers  were just visible, so I knew where the crowns were.

Sharpen a spade and cut out a good rhizome, or chunk of rhizomes, with at least one crown. I cut off all the fronds in the area I was working.

Don't worry about all the smaller crowns you will smash to bits.

A good rhizome without fronds doesn't seem to mind being without roots for a bit.

You could send a smaller crown to Martin.

BUT,  Martin Rickard wasn't impressed with it growing in 'Central England' where his only got to about 1M tall.  It likes the Cornish rain and humidity.

John is growing some from spore, but they are very slow and it will be years before they are big enough to plant out.

Chad

[Paul S]

Start 'Jane Fonda Works Out With Weights' this week.

Good advice regardless. :shock:

[AndyC]

Start 'Jane Fonda Works Out With Weights' this week.

Thanks for the advice Chad but I've already been working out. I had to remove the remains of a Phyllostachys nigra 'Henonis' after it flowered and died.
First thing I did was buy this https://www.screwfix.com/p/roughneck-17 ... gger/62496
You need muscles just to lift it. Hopefully it will assist me with the fern division.

Martin, if I succeed in separating more than one viable piece then it is yours if you want it.

[MartinNicklin]

That would be great Andy. I know many of us on here and GOTE have shared and swapped plants but I’d happily pay you for it if it works!

[Chad]

Andy,

I've noticed mine is on the move with new croziers expanding.

Strike now.


Chad

[AndyC]

I didn't have the patience to wait until the spring so I made the division last autumn. It has produced a new crozier with signs of another begiining to form so I planted it out a couple of weeks ago. Still looking good.
The post hole digger I mentioned in the first post is an awesome tool for the garden.

[Karl66]

Will be interesting to see how this develops... there rare as rocking horse ## to buy at a decent size..
I have around three separate plants in the ground here with one being quite sizeable now... I'm wondering how the whole plant would transplant 🤔 as I'll most likely be moving on within 5 years or so.

[Stan510]

Long ago i bought what was supposed to be a Mexican Cibotium...well,it's not, but it is the fern the subject of this topic. Now well filled out a 32 gallon container. Nice but needs to be divided this year. I don't have much shade left anymore to place it. Tough choices.