Staghorn ferns are a group of about 18 species of epiphytic ferns in the genus Platycerium of the polypod family (Polypodiaceae) native primarily to Africa, Australia and Southeast Asia, whose fronds supposedly resemble the forked antlers of male deer or elk. A large hanging staghorn fern in a Florida landscape.
How do you take care of a staghorn fern?
Good staghorn fern care requires frequent watering, but allow the plant medium to dry out in between. Fertilize them once per month with a 1:1:1 ration fertilizer diluted in water. The plant is prone to black spot, which is a fungal disease.
Why is staghorn ferns so expensive?
Why is Staghorn Fern so expensive? Staghorn fern is a rare plant species and they require optimal amounts of care for good growth. They are big beautiful plants but you need to take care of their growth requirements like favourable temperature, humidity and fertilizers during the growth period.
Why is it called staghorn fern?
The staghorn fern gets its name from its leaves (called fronds) because they resemble that of a deer. These plants can be a bit intimidating, they can grow to be 3 feet wide, but they are truly a beautiful living work of art.What is the difference between staghorn and elkhorn ferns?
The easiest way to distinguish between the two types of fern is that elkhorns have many plants growing together in communities and they have smaller, slender fronds. Whereas staghorns tend to grow as larger individuals. … These plants grow equally well on tree branches, fallen logs and rocks.
Do Staghorn Fern need sunlight?
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 have to mount a staghorn fern?
Much like air plants, stags are a tropical species called epiphytes that grow on trees or other plants. Learning to mount your staghorn is less of an elective and more of an imperative in plant care in order to provide optimum conditions for its growth.
Can you over water Staghorn Fern?
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. … Overwatering can also lead to fungal infections that appear as black spots on your Staghorn’s fronds.Can you plant a Staghorn Fern in soil?
Can Staghorn Ferns Be Potted? This is a good question since staghorns generally don’t naturally grow in soil. The key to growing staghorn ferns in baskets or pots is to replicate their natural environment as closely as possible. But, yes, they can grow in pots.
How do you remove pups from staghorn?Removing staghorn fern pups is easy and has a very high success rate. Wait until the pup is at least 4 inches (10 cm.) across. Find the spot under the brown shield fronds where the pup is attached and, with a sharp knife, cut the pup away with some roots attached.
Article first time published onWhat eats staghorn ferns?
Snails and slugs feed on the leaves of a variety of plants, including the staghorn fern. … Chickens, birds, snakes and toads also like to eat slugs. A solution consisting of 5 to 10 percent ammonia diluted in water will kill the pests.
Where are staghorn ferns?
Staghorn ferns belong to the genus Platycerium and are native to tropical regions of Africa, Southeast Asia and Australia, where they grow on trees as epiphytes. There are perhaps 18 different species in the genus.
Is staghorn fern fast growing?
The growth rate of staghorn ferns depends on the species and the culture, but none grows very fast or becomes enormous. The most popular species, big staghorn (Platycerium bifurcatum), is said to be easiest to grow and its fronds can, over time, get to 6 feet long.
What is the largest staghorn fern?
Platycerium grandeSuborder:PolypodiineaeFamily:PolypodiaceaeGenus:PlatyceriumSpecies:P. grande
How do you save a dying staghorn fern?
Here’s what I would suggest. Fill the hole with sphagnum peat moss (looks like fibrous, tan moss) or homemade compost. Add a small amount of a slow-release fertilizer, such as Osmocote or Nutricote, into the hole as you add the moss or compost. This will provide nutrients and encourage growth.
Can you use Seasol on Staghorns?
For younger staghorns, a suitably diluted liquid tonic such as Seasol, a seaweed concentrate, can be applied once a month in the warm months and once every two months at other times. Dilute the Seasol with water at a ratio of 1:1000.
Are staghorn ferns expensive?
“My staghorn fern is turning yellow. What should I do?” Staghorn ferns are some of the most unusual-looking plants home gardeners can grow. They can also be expensive, so it’s important to catch any problems early.
Why is my staghorn fern turning black?
Staghorn ferns are fairly pest free. When kept too wet, they are susceptible to a disease called Rhizoctonia sp. This fungus produces black spots on the basal fronds which can spread rapidly, invade the growing point, and kill the plant. If symptoms appear, withhold water and reduce the humidity to slow the spread.
How often should I water my staghorn fern?
A good rule of thumb is to water once per week in dry, hot times of year, and once every two to three weeks during cooler months. Start with this schedule, and adjust as necessary depending on your space. Staghorn ferns absorb water through their fronds, as well as their roots.
How do you water a potted staghorn fern?
Watering Staghorn Ferns Mist the foliage regularly to boost humidity. Stags actually absorb water through their fronds, so mist will extend the time between waterings. When you water, soak the root ball thoroughly. Place potted plants in a bowl of water and let them soak for 15 minutes or so.
Are banana peels good for staghorn ferns?
ANSWER: Banana peels can contribute lots of potassium and a little phosphorus to the nutrient needs of your staghorn fern. But they contain very little nitrogen, which also is needed for good growth. So go ahead, toss a few banana peels among the foliage to slowly release their nutrients.
How cold can staghorn ferns tolerate?
Most staghorn ferns are considered tender or semi-tender to cold and will not tolerate cold temperatures. There are exceptions, such as P. bifurcatum and P. veitchii, which can withstand temperatures as low as 30°F (–1.1°C).
How do you plant a staghorn fern in a hanging basket?
Hanging in a Wire Basket Add enough sphagnum moss so that your staghorn will sit near the top of the basket. Cutting away part of the coir liner allows the staghorn to grow through freely. Place your plant in the basket and gently bring the leaves of your plant through the edges of the basket.
What kind of wood do you use to mount a staghorn fern?
Mounting Staghorn Ferns should be done on rot resistant wood like cedar. Because of the aggressive way that they are watered, and the fact that they are so closely connected to the wood, you need something that can last long term. You’ll need: Cedar board.
How do you separate a staghorn fern?
When you’re ready to divide your staghorn fern, look for an offshoot and the stem or root that connects it to the main plant. In most cases, you should be able to twist or gently pull the offshoot free, but you may need to get a knife in there to sever the attaching root.
Do Staghorns like coffee grounds?
Up-to-date gardeners know that California’s low rainfall and alkaline soil are tough on acid-loving plants. Coffee grounds act as a mulch and soil improver. … A few staghorn owners even advocate using the entire banana, placing it into the paper-like platycerium that supports the main plant.
Why do staghorn leaves turn brown?
If staghorn fern receives insufficient humidity, its frond tips and margins will turn brown and crispy. … If your fern is in a dry location, particularly if it’s indoors, misting the fronds daily increases the humidity and helps keep plants from turning brown.
Are staghorn fern leaves fuzzy?
They have a fuzzy white coating on the fronds that many people mistake as dust but it is actually hair projecting from the leaf surface. Do not try to remove this fuzz, the coating is actually protecting the plant from getting sunburn and is thought to inhibit moisture loss from the leaf surface.
Can you propagate a staghorn fern from a leaf?
Propagating Staghorn Fern Spores. Scrape spores off the bottom of a fern leaf. Hold a leaf from a Staghorn fern over a white piece of paper, bottom side up. Use a butter knife to gently scrape off the little brown dots all over the bottom of the leaf.
What diseases do staghorn ferns get?
Staghorn Ferns are susceptible to a disease called rhizoctonia leaf spot when kept too wet. Less light or heat = less watering. More humidity = less watering. More light or heat = more watering.
What are the white spots on my staghorn fern?
Mealybugs and scale can appear to be diseases even though they’re actually pest infestations. These sap-sucking insects are master mimics, making themselves appear as white, fluffy tufts or waxy shields attached directly to the plant.
