- 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.
Subsequently, How big can a staghorn fern get? How to Grow Staghorn Fern
| Botanical Name | Platycerium bifurcatum |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Fern |
| Mature Size | 2–3 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide |
| Sun Exposure | Partial shade |
| Soil Type | Epiphytic |
• Jan 17, 2021
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.
Yet, Do staghorn ferns eat bananas? In the case of at least one plant, the staghorn fern, adding whole banana peels is just as effective as composting them first. You can “feed” a whole peel or even a whole banana to the plant by placing it on top of the plant, among its fronds.
Do staghorn ferns need soil? In its natural habitat, the staghorn fern grows in rainforests in an epiphytic manner, meaning it clings to trees in a non-parasitic way. It doesn’t need soil around its roots, which only really serve an anchoring purpose: water and nutrients are absorbed mainly through the fronds instead.
Where do staghorns grow best?
Native to Australian rainforests, the staghorn Platycerium superbum and closely related elkhorn Platycerium bifurcatum will grow just about anywhere in filtered light with protection from winds.
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.
Can a staghorn fern live indoors?
They do great outdoors in temperate climates but also make fine houseplants with a little effort. This is all about how to grow a Staghorn Fern indoors, even though are homes are nothing like the rainforest. Staghorn Ferns can be grown in a pot, in a wire basket as well as on a wire frame.
What kind of soil do staghorn ferns need?
Fill the basket (or a regular pot) about half-full with a loose, well-drained, porous potting mixture: preferably something like shredded pine bark, sphagnum moss or a similar medium. You can use up to one-third regular potting mix, but never use garden soil.
How do you multiply a staghorn fern?
How often should you water a staghorn fern?
Proper watering is an essential component of a staghorn fern’s success. They’ll need frequent watering, but the base should be allowed to dry out in between—about once a week in warmer climates or during the summer months, and once every two to three weeks in cooler months.
Can you cut a staghorn fern in half?
Splitting staghorns is much easier to do than it may seem at first. If you have a big plant, it can look as if it is a complicated mass of roots and fronds, but if you can separate an offshoot, it should come off easily. You can then remount it and enjoy a new, separate staghorn fern.
What can I do with a large staghorn fern?
Chained staghorn fern plants should only be hung from large tree limbs that can support the weight of the plant and the chain. It is also important to protect the tree limb from chain damage by placing the chain in a section of rubber hose or foam rubber pipe insulation so that the chain is not touching the tree bark.
Should you remove dead leaves from staghorn?
Remove these fronds near their base if the entire frond is dead or damaged, or just cut back to the nearest healthy portion of the foliage if only part of the frond is dead or damaged. Leave the dead and damaged basal fronds on the plant because they provide food for the fern as they decompose.
Can I grow a staghorn fern from a leaf?
Staghorn ferns are slow to propagate. They can be grown from spores, leaf cuttings or division of the plant itself.
Do staghorns prefer sun or shade?
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 do you feed a Staghorn?
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.
Can I sell staghorn fern?
A licence is required to harvest, propagate and sell staghorn ferns. This is to protect them from unauthorized harvesting in the wild. Buyers should look for ferns with a government tag to ensure that they have been legally obtained/grown by the seller.
What’s the difference between staghorn and elkhorn?
Staghorns and Elkhorns are some of the most spectacular plants you are ever likely to come across. The difference between them is fairly simple. Elkhorns have lots of long thin leaves which look like antlers poking out of the plant. Staghorns are a little cabbage like and produce a large leafy rosette.
Is it illegal to pick Waratahs?
Native plants are protected in New South Wales by the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act). Under the BC Act it is an offence to pick, possess, buy or sell native plants listed in the Act for commercial purposes without a licence.
How hard is to grow staghorn fern?
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 much do staghorn ferns weigh?
Staghorn ferns are large epiphytic evergreens in zones 9-12. In their natural environment, they grow on large trees and absorb moisture and nutrients from the air. When staghorn ferns reach maturity, they can weigh up to 300 lbs (136 kg.). During storms, these heavy plants can fall out of their tree hosts.
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.
Are banana peels good for staghorn ferns?
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.
