Pioneer Ferns - Part 2

Factor Pioneer Ferns into
Aotearoa NZ’s landscapes.
Useful colonisers of bare
land, they form a welcoming
environment for native forest
re-establishment.
Site Preparation + Ordering Information
www.fernfactor.co.nz
Ph: 03 3440297
Otautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand PART 2

Introduction
It’s all in the planning
to get hardy
spreading pioneer
ferns established as
the groundcover
Look to the ideal
scenario in the
following chart.
The Process - A Successional Path
Site Prep
Weed Control
If wanting locally
sourced planting
stock we need time
to collect spore if
we don’t have any
already.
Lucas Associates Actual time from
spore sowing to
having hardened off pioneer ferns ready for planting is just over 12
months if spore sown in early spring.
Pioneer ferns are grown in an 8cm grade size pot & establishment
is not successful if plants have become rootbound. Planning &
programming the project is essential to ensure success.
Biodegradable Jiffy pots are used for all the range except Pteridium.
Planting
Maintenance
Maintenance
Weed Control
Weed Control
Weed Control
Weed Control
Maintenance
Because we are dealing with spreading rhizomes you need to get
excellent weed control in the areas you plan to plant the ferns. Our
recommendation is to do @ least 3 sprays over the area over a full
growing season. Understanding that you need to get all the seed in
the ground to sprout away so this can be sprayed & killed.
Other options are to screef the areas & then mulch at planting
time.
Continuous groundcover
created, a successful
forest seedbed
Maintenance
Or, lay down newspaper, wool carpet, cardboard on the land you
want to plant a good 12 months before you plan to plant.
Or a combination of the above – basically you need a weed-free
site before you plant.
Plan + ordering
pioneer ferns
Spore collected
Ferns hardened off

Freight System
For larger numbers we have developed the following freight system.
Crates are stacked on & strapped down to pallet.
Advantages are easy to transport onsite.
Handy use of crates for shifting to central locations for ease of planting.
All returnable to nursery so no plastic waste.
1 crate = .4m X .6m X .228m [L x W x H] 1 pallet = 1m X 1.2m X 1.1m [L x W x H]
CRATE
PALLETE
1 X 8cm fern
48 X 8cm fern per
crate (1 X layer)
96 X 8cm fern [ 2 X
layers per grate]
20 crates per pallet
960 X ferns per
pallet (1 X layer)
1920 X ferns per
pallet = 2 layers
November 2019