How to Care for Staghorn Ferns
Staghorn ferns are a perennial plant native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa and the Americas. Staghorn ferns are distinct from other types of ferns in that they have a cooperative relationship with trees, flourishing around the tree's base. Rainwater runs off the trees, providing liquid nutrition for the ferns as well as the partial shad they require. For the novice, the easiest to grow of the 18 recognized varieties of staghorn ferns is the platycerium bifurcatum. The typical method of propagation is to mount the staghorn. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Sphagnum moss
- Large bowl
- Water
- Plaque
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Safety glasses
- Drill
- 2 screws or nails
- Hook
- Staghorn fern
- Twine or fabric
Instructions
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1
Place your sphagnum moss in a bowl, cover with water and allow to sit overnight.
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2
Position the plaque so the long side is horizontal. Using your tape measure horizontally, find the center of the plaque and mark with your pencil just above the center spot. Make another mark 1 inch above the first.
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3
Don your safety glasses. Drill, using a bit larger then your twine or fabric, two holes on your pencil marks.
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4
Screw or nail your hook on the back of the plaque so it is centered just below the edge of the top.
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5
Place a small pile of sphagnum moss on top of the holes. Place the staghorn fern on the moss. Cover the roots with more moss.
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6
Attach the fern and moss to the plaque with twine or fabric. This will involve threading and re-threading the material through the holes. Secure the two ends behind the plaque with a knot.
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Hang the fern on the wall in a place where it will not get direct sunlight. In time, you will be able to remove the twine or fabric, as the fern will attach itself to the board like it attaches to trees in the wild.
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8
Water your fern only when the sphagnum is completely dried out. Fertilize monthly.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Consider that staghorn ferns grow horizontally when choosing your plaque.
Staghorns ferns do not grow well in pots.
If you want to plant the staghorn outside, follow the above steps, replacing the plaque with a live tree and eliminating the need for the tape measure, pencil, safety glasses, drill, hook and screws or nails; staghorn ferns do best in neutral to mildly acidic soils.
Staghorn ferns are extremely sensitive to the cold.
While staghorns are relatively free of disease, they will rot if they are over-watered.
