In this post, we’ll review staghorn fern care as well as how to mount and propagate staghorn ferns. If your staghorn fern is in a space where it receives lots of ambient humidity, like a bathroom, you’ll probably be able to reduce your misting and watering. The first step of the process is misting, which can be a common component in dealing with ferns in general. Share with us in the comments! Staghorn ferns can be fertilized monthly during the warm, growing months of the year and every other month when growth slows down. Spores develop on the lower these fronds, and look a bit like brown fuzz -- don’t remove the spores! Soak your staghorn fern in a sink or basin of water for 10-20 minutes, or until the roots are fully saturated. Studies show that the plant prefers growing in She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. By using our site, you agree to our. Because staghorn ferns are planted differently, watering the plant is a twofold process. During the winter, you’ll likely need to cut back on watering. Rooms with Southern and Eastern exposures tend to be best, though unobstructed North windows will do. As a general rule of thumb, watering a Staghorn Fern every 7-10 days is the way to go. How Much Light Does a Staghorn Fern Need? Step 6: De-pot your Staghorn Fern. With origins from tropical Australia and New Guinea forests, they thrive in warm environments with high humidity. Only use tools and containers that have been sterilized with 5-10 percent bleach. This will allow the fern room to grow. References. Staghorn ferns are epiphytic perennials, commonly called air plants, and do not require soil for successful growth. It had trouble (due to neglect) when I was moving. I have quite a few stags and elks in my hot house l really worried about the temperature at night in winterit gets down to -1 to -9 sometimes l lost some last year l have put double layers of plastic for hot house and shade cloth what do u suggest as some of the stags are 40 years old can u help, Hello, Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 139,651 times. The most common causes of Staghorn fern loss is over and under-watering (the latter is particularly easy to do in my summer climate, where it gets over 100F frequently and there is little humidity). Water the mounted fern once a week in the shower. Whereas other plant species reproduce through flowers and seeds, ferns have neither; rather, they release microscopic spores into the air (a bit like mushrooms and mosses), which eventually become new plants. Common problems are overwatering, watering with softened water, and placing them in direct sunlight. Because the roots are so minimal, staghorn ferns need extensive drainage and are particularly susceptible to root rot. Spray water over it for about ten minutes and then allow it to drip dry. They have two different leaves (fronds) types–sterile shield fronds that are rounded in outline, and fertile fronds, which are branched like the horns of a reindeer. It weighs in at 247 lbs and is almost 7 feet around. 3811 N Mississippi AvePortland, OR 97227(503) 288-4889, Open with updated hours and protocols!Mon, Weds through Sun from 11am - 6pmMore info, 2139 NW Raleigh St Suite 108Portland, OR 97210(503) 288-4889, Open with updated hours and protocols!Weds through Sun from 11am - 6pmMore info. There are 24 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. There are dozens of species of staghorn ferns, and until recently, they were quite rare. Now that we have a bit of background about these mounted beauties, here’s our best practices for staghorn fern care. I was wondering if it is proper or ok to cover the large brown facia fronds with moss? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow. Portion wise, my plant is pretty large, the shield fronds cover an area of about 2 feet tall by 1.5 feet across and we use 1 whole ripe banana. Staghorn Fern. Yes, they grow best in a wire or orchid basket. Home grown ferns are generally much smaller but they can be in the family for decades. Allow your plant to drip dry before re-hanging. Try decreasing watering and improving air circulation to make sure the plant is able to adequately dry out after watering. I have 2 ferns right now, growing on either side of a cedar bird feeder. You can use lime or lemon juice. Staghorn ferns are epiphytes, which means they are air plants. This means that they respond well to misting and appreciate humid spaces. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. However, there’s some confusion as to exactly how many types there really are. You may have experience with growing herbs indoors and taking care of them, but the staghorn fern is a bit more challenging. More humidity = less watering. Increase watering as needed. To care for a staghorn fern, plant it in a growing medium comprised of sphagnum moss and orchid bark. The staghorn fern (Platycerium genus) is a beautiful looking plant.It was previously considered difficult to grow, but now it is quite popular. Living in S. Florida and with your easy directions, I should be able. If your staghorn fern is in a space where it receives lots of ambient humidity, like a bathroom, you’ll probably be able to reduce your misting and watering. The back plates and medium need to be thoroughly soaked. However, when the shield fronds begin to creep to the edges of the plaque, standard practice is to attach your board to a larger piece of wood with a few nails (see image). Could a tree have a thick bark like an Eucalyptus tree. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. The second type of staghorn fern frond is called the shield frond. 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. More humidity = less watering. It should take 3 to 5 months to reach this point. Yes you can. These ferns can be planted in hanging baskets. Water your staghorn fern by taking the mount off the wall and placing the entire thing in the shower. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Our burlap-wrapped staghorn ferns are intended as permanent installations, and we don’t recommend re-mounting your staghorn fern. You can also grow a staghorn fern in a wire hanging basket lined with an inch of sphagnum moss, then filled with well-draining growing medium this way. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. It now has a “baby” growing out the side of it. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. The hotter it is outside, the more water a staghorn fern plant will need. It’s big I placed it into a board but is the back of the plant meant to be hollow or should I but in potting mix ! Staghorn ferns can tolerate a little dryness. There are about 12,000 fern species, and ferns are amongst the most ancient plants. They get their name because their fronds look like th… Good staghorn fern care requires frequent watering, but allow the plant medium to dry out in between. Do not overwater, as the Staghorn’s epiphytic nature means it has a small root system designed to grow on trees, not to be soaked in the soil. Staghorn Fern Basic Information. Last Updated: December 3, 2020 Hello! The final part of the staghorn fern is the root ball. This means that they respond well to misting and appreciate humid spaces. Make sure to wash the cutting instrument before you use it. Its beautiful. Staghorn ferns, on the otherhand, are native to the tropics -- the species that we most commonly feature, Platycerium bifurcatum, is native to Australia. % of people told us that this article helped them. We don’t use the peel at all. Never rip a frond off, as this can cause tissue damage to the crown tissues. Whereas staghorns tend to … I had a huge hanging stag horn but we removed the tree. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. The Staghorn Fern is an unusual plant, being both an air plant and a fern, though it bears little resemblance to most ferns. The fern will have the antler fronds, which have a notch in the top and shield fronds, which are more rounded. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. One of the more interesting ferns to grow due to its differentiated fronds, staghorn fern (Platycerium spp.) A brown shield frond does not mean your staghorn fern is dying, and dried shield fronds should never be removed! Staghorn ferns are epiphytes, meaning they get moisture and nutrients from the air. Large or mature staghorns will survive and thrive with one or two applications a year of controlled-release fertilizer. To water your fern, prop the board in your sink and gently run water into the moss until it is completely saturated. Western light is fine, but be careful, as this afternoon exposure tends to be hot and harsh. It’s about 26” wide, 16” deep and 36” tall. A general rule of thumb is to water your staghorn fern weekly during the summer months and every two to three weeks during the winter. Ferns that share a pot will likely need to be re-potted sooner than ferns that have their own pot. This article has been viewed 139,651 times. Unfortunately, the short answer is no. They prefer more moisture when growing in the summer. Alternately, place the plaque in a sink or bathtub tap, and allow room-temperature water to run through the root ball until it is saturated. Fertilizing your staghorn fern will promote vigorous growth, especailly in younger plants. If grown in cold weather, then less moisture is needed. Though you can find young staghorn ferns sold in pots, mature plants need to be mounted to a board or hung in a hanging basket. Two people have to carry it its so big. The common staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) usually is grown as a houseplant, although it is hardy outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 12. Can staghorn be grown in a hanging basket? Just be sure to allow about an inch (2.5 cm) of space around each one for its roots to grow. They grew great, then after years of bags of leaves from an olive tree and roots taking over removed, Didn’t know what to do with my staghorns but I had two small trees in the backyard and just figured out how to attach them actually I tied them around with bungee cord maybe I should remove it because the bigger one is attached now. Some people suggest feeding your staghorn fern by slipping a piece of banana peel under the shield frond. Can Staghorn Ferns Survive in Artificial Light? If the antler fronds begin to brown at the tips or wilt, this is a sign of under-watering. During periods of dormancy (fall and winter), reduce fertilizing to every other month. Can I feed vegetable scraps to a staghorn fern? The first, and most prominent, is the “antler” frond - these are the large, bifurcated leaves that shoot out of the center of the plant, and from which staghorn ferns get their names, since they resemble the antlers of deer or moose. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Grow-a-Staghorn-Fern-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-a-Staghorn-Fern-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Grow-a-Staghorn-Fern-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1617295-v4-728px-Grow-a-Staghorn-Fern-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"