How to Pot Up a Staghorn Fern
Sphagnum moss
Potting soil
6-inch pot
Hand shovel
Spray bottle
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Things You'll Need
- Staghorn ferns, also known as elkhorn ferns, require air to promote growth. This unique requirement allows you to create interesting wall mounts, hanging baskets and potted decorations. Growing to a height between 1 1/2 to 2 feet, they can be used as corner pieces for indoor gardening on your sun porch, or to add a bit of color and life to your favorite room.
Instructions
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1
Fill a six-inch pot with potting soil, leaving approximately one inch of space near the top of the pot. You don't want to overfill it, as you will need to fill in that space later.
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2
Use your fingers or a small hand shovel to dig a two-inch burrow into the potting soil. Reserve the soil you've removed for later use.
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3
Layer the burrow with a nest of sphagnum moss, which the fern will root to once planted.
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4
Wrap the roots of your Staghorn fern in a thin layer of sphagnum moss. Spritz the roots and moss lightly with water.
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5
Lay the sphagnum-wrapped roots into the burrow in your potter and firmly anchor it into place.
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6
Replace the soil you removed, pressing it firmly down into the burrow and around the moss to cover it up.
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7
Water minimally. You want to wet the roots and moss, but not drown it. Drowning your fern will result in yellowed, rotting leaves, and the eventual death of your plant.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not plant directly into the soil.
