Tree fern

[John2468]

Hello everyone! How long do you think it takes for an Australian tree fern to form a trunk from this stage? Thanks!!

[aabell]

Looks like you have three plants at least, I would maybe try to separate them. I got the same big box deal 3 years ago, although it was only one in the pot and a bit bigger to start. They grow fast if you can keep the soil moist, may start to see a small trunk after a year or so.  Here's what three years looks like:

 

 

 

Edited March 29, 2022 by aabell

[John2468]

I was going to separate them, but I had trouble finding out how big each clump is. 

[WaianaeCrider]

The have gone wild in parts of Hawai`i and are considered an invasive pest here.  Years ago I found two growing deep in Wai`anae Valley and chopped them down.

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/invasive-species-profiles/australian-tree-fern/

[PalmsandLiszt]

If that's an S. cooperi, then they grow extremely quickly if conditions are to their liking. I bought a plug plant maybe March last year for next to nothing with 3-4" fronds in a pot the size of an egg cup; it now has fronds approaching 4' and the beginnings of a trunk. Conditions to their liking are good light, warm but not sweltering and water water water.
If you want to separate them, I'd just carve up the root ball with a serrated knife. The roots are fine and fibrous but tough as nails providing they don't dry out. Also feed them if they're in pots as they will exhaust available nutrients quite quickly; in the ground, not so much of a problem.

[John2468]

I did eventually divide a single plant off the clump, but I accidentally cut some leaves off of the one I was dividing thinking it was from the other clumps, would that survive?

[PalmsandLiszt]

18 hours ago, John2468 said:

I did eventually divide a single plant off the clump, but I accidentally cut some leaves off of the one I was dividing thinking it was from the other clumps, would that survive?

I think it will probably be fine. They are resilient things. You can see lots of new croziers buried in the soil in your photos; you could probably cut all the fronds to the ground and they would all come back. Indeed, having fewer leaves to support might even be a positive thing while the fern regrows the roots it will have lost. Just make sure it doesn't dry out and the medium is capable of holding plenty of water but still drains well.

[John2468]

Thanks!