Tree fern fibre

This is the stem of tree ferns like Alsophila ,Cyathea etc. covered with large number of aerial roots. There are different kinds of tree fern fibre available in the market under different commercial names -'Hapuu' is the Hawaiian tree fern fibre ' is a product of Mexico and Guatemala and used extensively in South America ; ' xaxim ' is the root of a tree fern which grows in Brazil and is used extensively in that country .

Tree fern fibre is less expensive than Osmunda fibre but needs regular fertilising . Plants are either potted in small bits of fibre , teased or otherwise , or are tied up to chunks of the fibre and hung up .

Cut pieces of the stem fully covered with the aerial roots of the fern are found to be very suitable for Cattleyas, Dendrobiums and some other orchids in the tropics.