transplanting hapuu ferns

[ric]

Any tips on transplanting hapuu ferns? Do larger ones or smaller ones transplant better? What is the best way to do it? Can they be just cut off with chainsaw or do I need part of the root? Is it a bad idea during the current dry weather? thanks

[Andrew]

I have transplanted many hapuu fern ranging from a few inches in height to about 14 feet in height successfully. It is OK to get roots but in my case most of them were cut off at the base.

To plant the larger ones I dug out a hole for them and partially filled the bottom of the hole with a nice mulch/compost soil. Next I put the plant base into the whole to a depth of a couple feet. Next I filled in the hole around the base with a mix of nice mulch/compost soil and black cinder and stomped it down well. Next I piled up a lot of leaves and other forest floor mulch around the base in order to provide both nutrients and moisture retention.

Finally I built several supports out of 3 inch round, 6 feet long pieces of Ohio logs tied together. I tied the Ohia together in pairs with heavy nylon/cotton cord. The pairs were tied together to form an X with the base of the X much wider than the top. I then used several of these tied pairs to wedge the Ohia in place from different directions around the base of the taller Hapuu ferns. I left the supports in place for a long time to be sure new roots had ample time to support the trunks and weight of the ferns. In the case of the fourteen footer the supports are still in place after more than 2 years. Maybe I can remove them but it was a BIG job standing that thing in place and I don't want it to fall down.

Regarding where to place the ferns. They are naturally an understory plant so I placed mine all along a nice path I have created in dense Ohia forest. They do get some sun but a lot of shade as well.

The most important thing about planting Hapuu fern from my experience is to be sure they stay wet. They love moisture and thrive best when it pours for days. Planting in a dry spell would be risky in my mind unless you irrigate them regularly to be sure they don't dry out. I was told as well to keep the top part where the new growth comes out wet as well as the base.

Mine are all thriving and I haven't lost a single one.

Good luck.

Andrew

[DTisme]

Thank God for the search function. I had a hapuu looking pekid (near one that was doing well) and wanted to move it. I think it was in a spot that had way too much sun. Anyway, couldn't find anything around the web that was this specific, so a whole year later, I thank you, Andrew, for really good advice!!

[dugger]

Transplanting Hapu'u is easier than that although I appreciate the care you take. You can just cut them where the root goes into the ground, dig a shallow hole and them in. If it's in their natural habitat (Volcano area) they will grow quite well.

[Rob Tucker]

Hapu`u can be planted rather easily as described. I do think that the depth of the hole matters as hapu`u can grow quite tall and have a tendency to fall over if not well based.

[OpenD]

My neighbor is a ranger in Volcano park, and is my go-to guy for all my questions about native plants, killing invasives, etc.

He says to cut the fronds off the hapu'u first (except for little babies), chainsaw the trunk off at the base, then plant the trunk into a prepared hole at least a foot deep.

Then... most important... keep it all wet until it reroots and sprouts new fronds.

Best time of year to do it is now, since it's a natural time for them to start putting out new fronds. Cutting off the old fronds before moving them takes away the top heaviness, helps to keep the trunk from drying out, and promotes faster rooting and sprouting.

Also, hapu'u like to be a little crowded, the way they grow in the forest. Plant them in clusters. Full sun is fine as long as they get plenty of water.

OpenD

[DTisme]

So far, so good on my replant.

[pslamont]

Where are you guys buying Hapu'u these days? What is the going rate for wholesale and retain, does anyone know? I just harvested a bunch for a guy in Kona but I know for a fact that I underpriced them totally. Ahh, that's okay, thinned out a mess for me and gave my laborer a days work. :0

I want to be the kind of woman that, when my feet
hit the floor each morning, the devil says

"Oh Crap, She's up!"

[OpenD]

The local rate here in Volcano is:
FREE HAPU'U
You cut 'em, you haul 'em