Paph. praestans

[hardy]

Can you please explain why the change from tree fern to bird's nest fern fibre? Personally, I use bird's nest fern as it is basically free (just chop up any fallen down ferns into pieces) compared to tree fern, which is rather expensive.. its also more absorbent. But I have seen monster sized paphs grown in tree fern 'pots' (hollowed out tree fern trunk) and I was advised that bird's nest fern is usually dirty and may harbour many unwelcome organisms..

In Indonesia, the price is almost the same. The advantage of birdnest fern is that it's flexible, so rootless or top heavy plants can be potted firmly.

True, treefern fiber need not be sterilized before use. Birdnest fern contains lots of soil and fertile spores, so I alaways boil it before use.

 

[paphioboy]

Thx.. I sun dry bird's nest fern root before use..hehe