{"product_id":"centipede-fern-blechnum-orientale","title":"Centipede Fern - Blechnum orientale","description":"\u003cp\u003eCentipede Fern (\u003cem\u003eBlechnum orientale\u003c\/em\u003e) is a large understorey fern with the lush look of a palm and none of the trunk. It grows to about 1.5m tall and 1.2m wide, with long, finely cut, arching fronds in deep green, and new fronds flush bronzy pink. It is made for shady, humid, tropical looking gardens and big pots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJungle texture without a trunk.\u003c\/strong\u003e Long arching fronds give the full, layered look of a rainforest understorey at about shoulder height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour in the new growth.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh fronds unfurl bronzy pink before maturing to deep green, so the plant shifts colour through the warm months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTough and tidy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It keeps a neat, vase shaped crown, and tidying amounts to snipping off old fronds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA native with a wide range.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows naturally across India, China, south east Asia and the top end of Australia.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePot friendly.\u003c\/strong\u003e It performs in a large container or even indoors in bright, filtered light, so cooler gardens can bring it inside.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTropical and subtropical beds.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1m apart beneath trees or along a shaded fence for a continuous, arching understorey that fills the gaps between larger plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnder planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e It slips beneath canopy trees and palms, adding a lower layer of foliage in shade where little else will grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainers and indoors.\u003c\/strong\u003e In cooler climates, grow it in a large pot and move it to shelter in winter. Indoors, choose bright filtered light and keep it away from cold draughts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Centipede Fern in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose bright, filtered light, which keeps the leaf colour vibrant. It thrives in humidity and suits tropical and subtropical regions outdoors. Protect it from frost and cold draughts, and in cooler districts treat it as a container plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant carefully so that the crown of the fern sits above the soil line, in rich, moisture holding but free draining soil. Burying the crown invites rot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until it is established, usually around 12 weeks, and keep it moist during dry periods. Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring, and a liquid feed every four weeks in the warmer months, diluted to half the recommended dose to avoid burn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Remove old fronds as needed to keep the plant fresh and to reduce the risk of disease. Container plants should be repotted every two to three years in the cooler months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Centipede Fern as tube stock only: a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small fern with a handful of fronds, nowhere near its full height, and it needs a season or two of moisture and shade to build its crown. Plant it promptly, keep the root zone damp and be patient. Ferns reward steady care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/ideal-fern-environments-in-your-garden\"\u003eGrowing ferns in Australia: light, humidity and placement\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ferns-for-shady-areas\"\u003eMore ferns for shady areas\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/palms-ferns-tropical\"\u003ePalms, ferns and tropical plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/indoor-plants\"\u003ePlants that suit indoor spaces\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big will it get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants can reach about 1.5m tall, roughly shoulder height, and 1.2m wide. Allow that room, and expect it to take a few seasons to reach full size from a tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it indoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, in bright filtered light, with steady moisture and some humidity. Keep it clear of cold draughts, and repot only every two to three years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it tolerate frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Protect it from frost and cold air. In frosty districts grow it in a pot, and bring it indoors or under cover for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787181785407,"sku":"BLE-ORI-tube","price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/centipede-fern-blechnum-orientale.jpg?v=1792150455","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/centipede-fern-blechnum-orientale","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}