How To: Mount and Care For Staghorn Ferns

Once we moved to a brand new home a pair years in the past we inherited a really massive staghorn fern with the property. At first I had no concept what this bizarre trying plant was hanging from a tree in my yard, however a fast search lead me to the reply. A staghorn fern.

Staghorn ferns (Platycerium spp.) are actually distinctive vegetation. They’re epiphytic vegetation. An epiphytic plant is a sort of plant that grows on the floor of different objects, sometimes timber or rocks, however it isn’t a parasite. As a substitute of taking vitamins from the host plant or object, epiphytic vegetation collect moisture and vitamins from the air, rain, and natural matter that accumulates round them. They use their host primarily as a bodily help construction.

The staghorn fern will get its title from the distinctive form of the fronds which seem like an antler or a stag’s horns. These distinctive ferns are favored by indoor and out of doors gardeners alike for his or her putting resemblance to majestic stag horns. Over a pair years of care, and quite a lot of analysis, I felt it was the best time to share a few of my experiences on this complete put up so you possibly can study one thing new a few very cool plant that is perhaps one thing so as to add to your backyard.

Local weather Necessities

Staghorn ferns are native to tropical and subtropical areas, and their local weather necessities replicate this. For these of you in components of the nation that repeatedly see freezing climate staghorn ferns are actually solely an indoor possibility for you, although you possibly can convey it outside within the hotter months.

1. Hardiness Zones: Relying on the species, staghorn ferns are sometimes hardy in USDA zones 9-12. In cooler climates, they are often grown indoors or in a greenhouse.
2. Out of doors Development: When grown outside, they flourish in areas with heat, humid summers and gentle winters. In areas with colder winters, convey them indoors or present safety in the course of the colder months.

Common Care Necessities

Staghorn ferns, although visually unique, are comparatively low-maintenance when their fundamental wants are met. That’s my sort of plant! Right here’s what it is advisable know:

1. Gentle: Staghorn ferns thrive in vivid, oblique gentle. Place them close to a window with filtered daylight or in a spot with dappled shade if grown outside. Keep away from exposing them to direct daylight, which might scorch their delicate fronds particularly in the event that they aren’t accustomed to it.
2. Watering: Watering necessities can range relying on elements like humidity and temperature. Generally, maintain the fern’s root ball persistently moist, however not waterlogged. Water totally when the highest inch of the potting medium feels dry, and mist the fronds sometimes to extend humidity.
3. Temperature: Staghorn ferns desire temperatures between 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 27°C) similar to me. Defend them from freezing temperatures, as they’re delicate to chilly, similar to my spouse.
4. Humidity: These ferns thrive in humid environments. For those who dwell in a dry local weather, think about using a humidity tray, room humidifier, or common misting to take care of enough moisture ranges. This can be one of many few benefits to residing within the humid south.
5. Fertilization: Feed your staghorn fern with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half power in the course of the rising season (spring and summer season). Scale back or remove fertilization in the course of the dormant winter months.

Preferrred Rising Circumstances

To make sure your staghorn ferns thrive, contemplate the next preferrred rising situations:

1. Rising Medium: Use a well-draining, orchid combine or a mixture of sphagnum moss and perlite for potting or mounting staghorn ferns.
2. Container: If rising in a pot, select one with drainage holes to forestall waterlogged roots. These ferns can simply succumb to rot in the event that they don’t have an opportunity to dry out between watering. Mounting on a wood board or tree is one other in style possibility we’ll talk about beneath.
3. Pot Dimension: Choose a pot that enables for some room to develop, however keep away from an excessively massive container, as staghorn ferns desire to be barely root-bound.
4. Mounting: Staghorn ferns may be mounted on boards, plaques, and even tree trunks. Safe them with sphagnum moss, fishing line, or plant wire, ensuring to supply a secure basis.

Propagation

Propagating staghorn ferns is feasible which is nice as a result of meaning you possibly can simply bum a chunk of a fern off a buddy or neighbor and begin your individual. Listed below are two widespread strategies:

1. Division: Divide mature vegetation by rigorously separating offsets or pups that develop across the base of the fern. Guarantee every pup has some roots hooked up and pot it in its personal well-drained container.
2. Spore Propagation: This methodology is extra superior and entails accumulating spores from mature fronds, sowing them on a sterile medium, and nurturing them till they develop into younger ferns. Mainly, don’t do that route until your full time job entails horticulture.

Troubleshooting Illnesses and Pests

Whereas staghorn ferns are comparatively disease-resistant, they will nonetheless fall prey to pests like aphids, mealybugs, and scale bugs. Commonly examine your vegetation for indicators of infestations and deal with them promptly with insecticidal cleaning soap or neem oil if essential.

Overwatering is a typical challenge that may result in root rot. Guarantee your staghorn fern’s rising medium is well-draining, and keep away from permitting the plant to take a seat in standing water. Apart from that this can be a comparatively straightforward plant to develop and luxuriate in!

Greatest Practices for Mounting Staghorn Ferns

Since staghorn ferns don’t like being water-logged, mounting them is a good possibility that enables them to maintain their ft dry and likewise be cellular to maneuver round your backyard if you happen to see match. Listed below are some finest practices for mounting to a board:

1. Deciding on a Mounting Board: Select a sturdy, rot-resistant wood board or plaque. Redwood, cedar, or cypress are glorious choices.
2. Making ready the Fern: Take away any lifeless or broken fronds and gently clear the protect fronds (the flat, shield-like constructions on the base of the fern).
3. Attaching the Fern: Place the staghorn fern on the board, securing it with sphagnum moss and plant wire. Make sure the fern is firmly hooked up whereas permitting room for progress.
4. Hanging or Displaying: Dangle the mounted fern in a location with filtered gentle, or show it as a centerpiece on a wall. Water it by totally soaking the moss and permitting it to empty.

You too can mount them on to a tree following the steps beneath. That is one in all my favourite methods as a result of the ferns can actually take off and develop shortly if you happen to discover the best location for them.

1. Create a Mounting Pod: Wrap some moist sphagnum moss round a separated pup so it should present the moisture wanted.
2. Wrap in Chicken Netting: Wrap the moss and pup into some fowl netting to carry every part collectively and tie off the highest with some string.
3. Connect with Fishing Line: Utilizing fishing line safe the completed pod onto the tree trunk in a shady location.
4. Take away the Line: Over just a few months the staghorn fern will develop roots onto the tree trunk to connect itself. As soon as it’s safe you possibly can take away the fishing line and it’ll proceed to develop.

The staghorn fern is such a singular plant that I’d positively contemplate including to your backyard or residence if you happen to’ve acquired the best situations. Whether or not you select to develop them in pots or mount them on wood boards, otherwise you mount them on a tree following the rules right here will assist you benefit from the comparatively low-maintenance and fantastic thing about staghorn ferns.

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I like outdated homes, working with my arms, and educating others the excitment of doing it your self! All the pieces is teachable if you happen to solely give it the possibility.