disease on staghorn ferns

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.

1. Why does my staghorn fern have brown spots?
2. What is eating my staghorn fern?
3. How do you revive a staghorn fern?
4. How do you treat a scale on a staghorn fern?

Why does my staghorn fern have brown spots?

Fuzzy brown spots that turn black indicate the staghorn fern has developed a fungal infection, most commonly rhizoctonia. Allowing the staghorn fern to dry out slightly between waterings may remedy this kind of problem. Removing infected fronds can also help prevent the fungus from spreading to healthy fronds.

What is eating my staghorn fern?

Sounds like an attack of the staghorn fern beetle. This tiny round beetle chews craters in the fleshy fern fronds and spoils the appearance of the plant. Prune off the damaged leaf and destroy as soon as possible.

How do you revive a staghorn fern?

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. I always summer my staghorn ferns outside, and water them every few days.

How do you treat a scale on a staghorn fern?

Scale insects are the most common pest on a staghorn fern. Our preferred treatment is denatured alcohol applied with a fine brush or cotton swab directly to the insects on the undersides of the fronds.