Allan Watson is one of our product trial growers. He started with just a few different genera, and now grows 90% of his collection in Fernwood Tree Fern Fibre. It has paid off as in three years’ time, Allan has won three awards from the Orchid Council of NZ.

Growing orchids is not without its challenges, says Allan Watson. Having moved from his traditional medium bark to Fernwood Fern Fibre substrate in regulation pots with award winning success, he says his next move into slab or totem culture was a no-brainer.

In previous blog posts, keen hobby grower Allan Watson explained that he traditionally used bark as a medium for his orchids. The introduction of Fernwood NZ’s fern fibre substrate into his orchid culture required some changes but the results show that good things come to those who wait.

Jacob and Anja Wassink, owners/operators at Phalaenopsis Nurseries in Omokoroa near Tauranga, have converted their entire operation into growing all plants in Fernwood fibre, and the results are outstanding. Anja reports.

Allan Watson has provided this comprehensive report for Fernwood NZ after a 2-year trial growing his orchids in Tree Fern Fibre Substrate. He says that while the trial timeline comes to an end, the results just keep on coming.

Since converting to using fern fibre only in preference to bark, Selwyn Hatrick has been growing much larger and more robust orchids. In turn, this has led to considerably more flowers and of better quality. His efforts have been recognised with a raft of awards.

Selwyn Hatrick explains the ins and outs of fern fibre culture, explains that the main species being harvested is Ponga/NZ native fern and talks about sustainable harvesting in New Zealand. He looks at the characteristics that make fibre superior to bark as a potting substrate for orchids.

Eight months since starting the trial, Grower Allan Watson is now into the first flowering of the trial plants, and they are thriving with flowers strong in colour and texture. He says the positive results of using fern fibre can clearly be seen.

Selwyn Hatrick began a trial late November 2016, to compare the growth of three groups of paphiopedilum seedlings. One selection planted in orchid bark, the second in a mix of bark and fern fibre, and the third in fern fibre with no additives. Read his findings here…

When we start growing orchids we are entering into a partnership that consists of light, temperature, air movement and water. Without it our plants would not survive. Read how you can make this partnership work for you.

Having been asked to participate in a Fern Fibre substrate over Bark/Pumice trial some six months ago and looking for a challenge, orchid grower Allan Watson from Taranaki, New Zealand, said yes.

Award-winning orchid grower Allan Watson from Taranaki, specialises in growing Miltoniopsis and has a collection of more than 1000 plants. He starts a two years growing trial using Fernwood Tree Fern substrate.

Read how an experienced paphiopedilum grower’s plants grow vigorously and beautifully, well ahead of the others, planted in pure Fernwood Tree Fern Fibre. He explains how fiber (in most cases) grows orchids best, and that there is no need to mix it with bark.

There are plenty of dos and dont’s when growing orchids, and many people who are starting out notice it can take a while to get it right. Enjoy this informative post by Selwyn Hatrick with a summary of his findings while growing orchids in fern fibre.