@masaccio New Zealanders have had access to tree fern for about 5 years. I forgot to mention that all the tree fern is sustainably harvested under the auspices of our Ministry of Primary Industries. http://www.thecollectorsonlinemarket.com/treefern/treefern.pdf
I can't comment on the Guatemalian tree fern. It will be for a different species compared to what we use in NZ and such it will probably require different management.
NZ tree fern is very 'fluffy' and works best if pack it into the pot lightly. If you compress it too much it may hold too much...
If you use a 100% NZ tree fern fibre you need to watch that you do not over water. I live in Auckland , New Zealand and in summer the watering interval would be between 4 to 7 days and for winter two to three weeks. The general rule of thumb is if in doubt , don't water.
As tree fern dries out...
I use a very open potting mix and water twice a week with a solution of K-Lite (25 ppm N), a very dilute seaweed, a small dose of silicon (DG Pro-TeKt) and adjust the pH to 5.8 using lemon juice. I have seen a huge improvement in my plants since following this regime. My potting mix contains NZ...
Anyone living in Australia or New Zealand can buy K Lite from Bio Leaf Plant Nutrients: Bio Leaf K-Lite Orchid/Epiphyte Fertiliser (12-1-1-10Ca-3Mg)
We are a New Zealand based company and can be contacted at [email protected] or +64 27 453 0024
I had a fair amount of success growing them in 100% tree fern fibre and using Dyna Gro Grow 7-9-5 + Pro-Tekt as a nutrient solution, both mixed at 1:3 000. Disa's do not like a lot of salt.
I have been using the following recipe for years with very good success on mealy bugs and it controls other insect pests such as red spider mite, various scales. It has produced better results for me compared to insecticides.
Per 1 litre of water I add 20 ml spraying oil plus 20 ml isopropyl...