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Tree fern slab source

Discussion in 'Everything Else Orchid' started by KellyW, May 30, 2015.

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  1. May 30, 2015 #1
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I am looking for a good source for tree fern slabs. I used to purchase them from Cal West Tropical but they don't carry them any more. Tropical Plant Products has them but shipping to CA seems very high and their purchase method is unwieldy. Suggestions?
     
    John Marvin (Joe Jo) likes this.
  2. May 30, 2015 #2
    rico

    rico Active Member

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    Orchids Limited sells 16-20'' totems for $7.00 (the pictures make the totems look like slabs, unless totems and slabs are the same thing). I think the reason tree fern is harder to find is because it is a terribly unsustainable material, and is going out of style. It would be great if someone could invent something just like it but made from a synthetic material. Hope it works out!
    -rico
     
  3. May 30, 2015 #3
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I just ordered some from Broward Orchid Supply in Florida and they should arrive in a few days. I can let you know how they are. A friend saw their booth at Redlands and said the things looked very good.

    CalWest might have tree fern back in stock. They are supposed to have a new website soon so not much is getting updated right now.
     
  4. May 30, 2015 #4
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Thanks, Marni.
     
    Last edited: May 30, 2015
  5. May 31, 2015 #5
    carl

    carl Active Member

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  6. May 31, 2015 #6
    orcoholic

    orcoholic Member

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    OFE in Fl at least used to carry them. 305-253-7080
     
  7. May 31, 2015 #7
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Mikael Karlbom (Mika, on this forum) did just that with his invention of Epiweb.
     
  8. May 31, 2015 #8
    rico

    rico Active Member

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    I've heard of Epiweb, I just haven't seen it in common use.
     
  9. May 31, 2015 #9
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    rico likes this.
  10. Jun 7, 2015 #10
    John Marvin (Joe Jo)

    John Marvin (Joe Jo) Member

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    Kelly here are some photos of Douglas Fir Tree or fern bark which grow here around my apartment. Across the street my neighbor has a very old & large Douglas Fir which fell during a storm last year. I got this bark from the tree and there is plenty more where that came from. I don't know if that is what you are looking for, but if you want it I will send it to you. It might cost quite a bit to ship it. The largest piece is 24"x12" the 2 smaller pieces are 30"x6" If you are interested give me your address again right here or e-mail me at [email protected] and leave the address there. I will be glad to help.

    Snapshot_20150607_21.JPG

    Snapshot_20150607_20.JPG

    Snapshot_20150607_19.JPG
     
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  11. Jun 8, 2015 #11
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Thank you, John. That is very kind of you but I was looking for the tropical tree fern. Thanks for the offer, though.
     
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  12. Jun 8, 2015 #12
    John Marvin (Joe Jo)

    John Marvin (Joe Jo) Member

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    No problem Kelly, just thought I would ask. Have you ever used the base of a Palm Tree leaf, you know that real thick part where it first grows out from the tree? When it dry's out it's more like a cork slab and retain water very well. I have a small Dendrobium on one and it bloomed for me back in January, I also pollinated two flowers and the seed pods are growing great. The pods should be ready to harvest in about 3-4 months. I know that you have Palm Trees in California.
     
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2015
  13. Jul 17, 2015 #13
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Kelly, I received an order of tree fern from Broward Orchid Supply but it was like pulling teeth and it took about 3 weeks to get it shipped. They couldn't/wouldn't ship FedEx so I paid double on the shipping with USPS. $80 worth of tree fern cost $50 to ship plus a couple of dollars for handling. If I had had my wits about me, I could have had it shipped using my FedEx number including pick up for $27.

    Calwest had great treefern now, not just what is on the website. At least it is the kind I like, very dense and hard. They may have other, more open kinds as well. You just have to call or email. And they ship the next day!!!!
     
  14. Jul 17, 2015 #14
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Thanks, Marni. I recently called them and found out the same. I haven't ordered because I thought I might be going down there ... but I haven't yet. I need tree fern and cork so I need to call and get those ordered. Thanks.
     
  15. Jul 18, 2015 #15
    DPfarr

    DPfarr Well-Known Member

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  16. Jul 18, 2015 #16
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Thanks, Daniel. I may do that.
     
  17. Jul 28, 2015 #17
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Marni, I just received my order of cork and tree fern from Calwest. The tree fern is the best I have ever purchased. It is very dense. I got what they called "large natural tree fern panel" which are random length (18-24") and random width (6"+) for $18 each. I'm sure each order would vary but about 1/2 of my pieces are the first slab taken from the tree so one side is the outside of the tree and is rounded. It is from Fiji.
     
  18. Jul 28, 2015 #18
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Yes, Kelly, I got the same type. I love it!!! I got several sized and will be ordering more soon. I took the 2x2x18" and ripped them on the table saw so I have 2 x 1/2" and cut the lengths as needed to make thin mounts. It is so dense that it works like a charm. I'm so glad this company is up and running with new owners who are so enthusiastic about customer service and quality products.
     
  19. Aug 2, 2015 #19
    AnonYMouse

    AnonYMouse aka Ree, the not-so-stealthy lurker

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    If it's not too much trouble, can one or both of you post a close up picture of the slabs? Thanks.
     
  20. Aug 2, 2015 #20
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Here are two images. The piece on the right was sliced thin on a table saw from a 4x6x1 piece. The other is a 6x6 slab that is 3/4 or 1" thick.


    treefern2.jpg
    treefern1.jpg
     
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