hanging staghorn fern

How do you hang a 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.

How do you take care of a hanging staghorn fern?

Home grown ferns are generally much smaller but they can be in the family for decades. Good staghorn fern care requires frequent watering, but allow the plant medium to dry out in between. Fertilize them once per month with a 1:1:1 ration fertilizer diluted in water.

How do you hang a small staghorn plant?

An alternative hanging method is simply to wrap the staghorn fern's root ball with chain, secure it with S-hooks and suspend it from excess chain around a tree limb, but this method tends to constrict the plant.
Small staghorn ferns can grow in a galvanized metal basket with chains through the container's eyelets.

Do you have to mount a staghorn fern?

Much like air plants, stags are a tropical species called epiphytes that grow on trees or other plants. Learning to mount your staghorn is less of an elective and more of an imperative in plant care in order to provide optimum conditions for its growth.

Are coffee grounds good for staghorn ferns?

Up-to-date gardeners know that California's low rainfall and alkaline soil are tough on acid-loving plants. Coffee grounds act as a mulch and soil improver. ... A few staghorn owners even advocate using the entire banana, placing it into the paper-like platycerium that supports the main plant.

Do staghorn ferns like sun?

Staghorn ferns are epiphytes, which means they are air plants. They gladly grow on a wall mount, which lets air circulate around them. They need good-quality light, even some direct sunlight. They need some drying of the soil or medium in between watering.

Are staghorn ferns hard to care for?

There are dozens of species of staghorn ferns, and until recently, they were quite rare. Now though--thanks to species native to Australia, Platycerium bifurcatum, that is relatively easy to care for and propagate--they're increasingly popular house plants.

How quickly do staghorn ferns grow?

Naturally grown as epiphytes, staghorn ferns (Platycerium spp.) harmlessly cling to tree branches as they hang downward in the canopy's shade. These bushy evergreens grow slowly, up to 4 feet tall and wide over a period of 10 to 20 years.

How long does a staghorn fern live?

About once a year, we'll do a cleaning to remove dried fronds and any decayed material. As you can see, at about 90 years of age, this fern is thriving and absolutely gorgeous!

Are staghorn ferns expensive?

"My staghorn fern is turning yellow. What should I do?" Staghorn ferns are some of the most unusual-looking plants home gardeners can grow. They can also be expensive, so it's important to catch any problems early.

Which way do you hang a staghorn fern?

A simple way to hang your fern from a board:

Decide which position of the plant will be the top.
Gently remove some of the soil from the root ball of the plant to create a flat base; keep more soil on the lower edge of the root ball so the plant will end up facing upward.

How do you save a dying staghorn fern?

It is normal for a few fronds to die and be replaced from time to time, but the fern is in need of water if a significant number of its fronds begin to die. It may be possible to save the plant by placing its root ball in water for several minutes, allowing the roots to rehydrate.

Are banana peels good for staghorn ferns?

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.

Can you propagate staghorn fern?

Staghorn fern can be propagated from the spores but because that is such a slow process they generally are propagated by division, carefully cutting off small pups with a sharp knife, making sure each piece has some fertile and sterile fronds and roots.

Are staghorn ferns poisonous to cats?

Staghorn ferns (Platycerium spp) which are non-toxic to both cat and dog pets, are easy to grow if you provide them the right living conditions. Typically, these unique plants will be found mounted on a wall or draping from a hanging basket.

Do ferns like coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds are highly acidic, they note, so they should be reserved for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries. ... And if your soil is already high in nitrogen, the extra boost from coffee grounds could stunt the growth of fruits and flowers.

How do you get rid of staghorn fern pups?

Wait until the pup is at least 4 inches (10 cm.) across. Find the spot under the brown shield fronds where the pup is attached and, with a sharp knife, cut the pup away with some roots attached. You can mount the pup just as you would a fully grown staghorn fern.

Can staghorn fern grow in soil?

This is a good question since staghorns generally don't naturally grow in soil. The key to growing staghorn ferns in baskets or pots is to replicate their natural environment as closely as possible. But, yes, they can grow in pots.

What does Epsom salt do for ferns?

Ferns – Epsom salts work wonders on ferns as a liquid fertilizer helping the leaves have a rich, deep dark green color. Elephant ear plants are another plant which benefits from the extra magnesium. Apply as a drench mixing 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts to 1 gallon of water.

Can you over water staghorn fern?

Water your Staghorn Fern so the top inch of soil is kept moist (on average, this means water weekly in the spring and summer and every few weeks in the fall and winter). 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.

What is the difference between staghorn and elkhorn ferns?

The difference between these two plants is the elkhorn (Platycerium bifurcatum) has thinner, wispier leaves and multiple “eyes” or rosettes of foliage whereas the staghorn (Platycerium superbum – pronounced with the emphasis on the middle syllable) has a single eye and larger leaves.