Why are the fronds on my tree fern drooping?

I have just planted a tree fern at the back of my garden (in the shade) The fronds have begun to droop - I planted it as the text book says - 1ft down etc and watered well ( I live in London so soil is full of clay.) Could it be too shady?

Why are the fronds on my tree fern drooping?
Give it time to establish itself, Did you give it feed, like bonemeal, it will soon perk up, keep watering.
Reply:Give it some time to settle and water water water. Watering the crown and trunk is also useful as the trunk is actually the rhizome and root of a tree fern. Chicken pellets in the crown are a good feed as are most of the proprietry brands of ferilizer. My Dicksonia needs no care at all even in winter but I do water in dry spells, not that we've seen a lot of that this year!
Reply:dicksonia antarctica (tasmanian tree fern) want humus rich, acidic soil with good drainage. the clay poses a problem for the roots of your plant, i'm afraid. also, if you damage the growing tips the plant will fail to generate new growth and eventually die. if this one fails, amend the soil heavily and start again with a new one, taking care not to damage the new growth when planting.
Reply:If you leave it in the hole that you have dug in the clay, as the other person said it needs good drainage. Provide a new hole, dig over the bottom first this will allow it to drain. Good Luck.

arenas