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Where can I find a staghorn fern?
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.
Where is the best place to hang a staghorn fern?
Staghorn fern plants grow best in part shade to shady locations. Because they get most of their water and nutrients from the air or fallen plant matter, they are often hung on limbs or in the crotches of trees much like they grow in their native environments.
Do staghorn ferns grow fast?
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.
How much sun does a staghorn fern need?
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.
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. The fertile fronds have brown, rusty tips underneath, which is where they produce their spores.
Are there different types of staghorn ferns?
The plants known as staghorn ferns include the 18 species in the Platycerium genus plus many hybrids and varieties of those species.
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 attach a staghorn fern to a fence?
Use the top of the pot to trace around, making a circle in the middle of your wood base. Then add your 8 screws (or nails) evenly around the circle, leaving around 3-4 cms of each screw poking out. Take your plant and carefully break away the first 4-5 cms in one piece, then place it between the screws.
Can you plant a staghorn fern 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 staghorn ferns grow outside?
Staghorn ferns are hardy in zones 9-12. That being said, when growing staghorn ferns outdoors it is important to know that they may need to be protected if temperatures dip below 55 degrees F.
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 staghorn ferns tolerate full sun?
How to grow stag horns in a garden. Choose a place in the garden that gets filtered sun and is protected from the afternoon sun. Choose an appropriate support for the plant.
Are staghorn ferns 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.
How do you feed a banana to a staghorn fern?
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.
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.
Are staghorn ferns hard to care for?
Growing staghorn ferns is easy. If they get low to medium light and moderate moisture, they will thrive. In fact, whether grown indoors or outside, provide moderate moisture and a humus-rich medium when growing staghorn ferns.
How do you preserve a 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.
