Staghorn ferns (Platycerium bifurcatum, aka Elkhorn Fern) are epiphytes. That means that they attach themselves to trees and other things in their native habitat. So mounting them on a log, a tree, or a board rather than putting them in a pot is the most natural way to grow them.
Place a handful or two of sphagnum moss on the board and then place your plant on top.Tie your plant on with pantyhose. Pantyhose are better than microfilament or wire because it will eventually rot away and not end up cutting into the plant. Securing the staghorn fern to a wooden mount with pantyhose.
What kind of moss do you use to mount a staghorn fern?
Sphagnum moss and pine bark are regularly used as planting media. When mounted on a piece of wood, the Staghorn Fern is typically placed on the surface of the wood and sphagnum moss is mounded around the base of the plant to hold moisture around the root system.
Do staghorn ferns have to be mounted?
Staghorn Ferns are Epiphytes
Though you can find young staghorn ferns sold in pots, mature plants need to be mounted to a board or hung in a hanging basket. Why? Because, like air plants, staghorn ferns are epiphytic plants, which means that in they grow on other plants or trees in their natural growing environments.
What do you mount a staghorn fern on? – Related Questions
What kind of wood is best to mount a staghorn fern?
Choose hardwood for the frame, as softwood will rot. To make the framework, we used a fence paling cut into five pieces. Three horizontal pieces of paling are nailed (or screwed) onto two vertical backing pieces.
How long do staghorn ferns live for?
Answer and Explanation: One of the oldest-living staghorn ferns is said to be 90 years old. When properly cared for, staghorn ferns can thrive for many generations with minimum maintenance.
Can you leave staghorn on the ground?
No, because they are epiphytes, staghorn ferns do not naturally grow in soil and therefore do not need it. Instead of soil, use a loose, well-draining potting mix that contains a mixture of sphagnum moss, perlite, and bark, or something similar.
Can staghorn ferns grow on the ground?
Can staghorn ferns grow in soil? Staghorn ferns can grow in pots, but they should not be planted in mineral soil. Instead, use a well-draining planting medium made primarily of organic matter. A 50/50 mixture of orchid bark and cactus potting mix is appropriate.
Can Staghorns grow on the ground?
Staghorn frens are epiphytes that need some sort of support on which to grow. As epiphytes, staghorn ferns do not grow in soil, but attach to trees when growing in nature. Small plants can be grown in containers with a rich and very well-drained medium.
Can you mount Staghorn Fern on driftwood?
How cold is too cold for a staghorn fern?
It prefers temperatures between 60°F–80°F. Staghorn Fern can somehow tolerate cold temperature, but never let the temperature drop below 50°F or go above 100°F.
Can I wipe the leaves of staghorn fern?
Cleaning a Staghorn Fern
Washing staghorn fern plants should be done carefully and should never involve wiping the fronds with a sponge or cloth. Take a close look at the plant and you’ll notice that the fronds are covered with a felt-like substance that helps the plant retain moisture.
What temperature is too cold for staghorn fern?
Staghorn fern flourishes in warm, humid climates and should be protected from cold conditons. It’s generally considered a tender plant; most species can’t tolerate temperatures below 55°F. However, Platycerium bifurcatum and Platycerium veitchii can withstand temperatures as low as 30°F.
Is Epsom salt good for staghorn ferns?
And they can lose these substances over time through watering. Epsom salt to the rescue! Epsom salt has minerals perfect for fern growth and fern care.
Can you overwater a staghorn?
Since the Staghorn Fern is an epiphyte that naturally grows along tree trunks in the tropics, its roots are smaller than you might expect and are easily overwatered. This can lead to root rot and harm your plant. Keep an eye out for brown or black spots at the base of the antler fronds, which indicate overwatering.
Do staghorn ferns need moss?
The root ball will be quite small as Staghorn Ferns do not rely on roots to absorb moisture and nutrients, but the root ball does need to be making contact with the sphagnum moss.
Do staghorn ferns like shade or sun?
Staghorn ferns need lots of bright but indirect or diffused sunlight. This is best achieved by placing them next to the brightest window in the house. All directions are fine, but west-facing windows might expose the fern to too much direct afternoon sun.
Do you feed staghorn ferns bananas?
Using banana fertilizer for staghorn ferns is an easy way to maintain your plant’s health while reducing kitchen waste. Depending on the size of your fern, feed it with up to four banana peels a month to provide potassium plus smaller amounts of phosphorus and micronutrients.
