Staghorn ferns are fascinating epiphytic plant that make a stunning addition to any dwelling . Their antler - mold fronds germinate from a central base give them an incredibly unique feeling . Staghorn ferns are native to tropical forests and require some specialised care to thrive indoors . With the right conditions and a little know - how , these living kit and caboodle of art can grow for decades . Let ’s go over the basic principle of staghorn fern care so you’re able to enjoy these beaut in your own home .
Staghorn Fern Biology
There are around 30 species of staghorn ferns but the most common houseplant is Platycerium bifurcatum . Staghorn ferns are epiphytic meaning they originate on other works and objects like tree branches and utilize aery roots to anchor themselves .
The fronds of a staghorn fern do in two grade
Antler fronds – The big , bifurcate green parting that resemble antlers . This is where the works have its common name . novel fronds come out from the center .
Shield frond – The cycle , drop leaves clustered around the substructure . cuticle fronds are fleeceable when young but wrench brown as they mature .
The shield fronds protect the roots and suck water and nutrient for the plant through specialized scales . Never get rid of dark-brown shell fronds , as they are still function for the plant .
Provide the Right Growing Conditions
Staghorn ferns originate in warm , humid tropic forests . Replicating their native environment is key to keeping them well-chosen as houseplants .
Light
Staghorn fern favor promising , filtered light . lineal sun will sear their fronds . produce staghorn ferns near an east or Frederick North face windowpane where they get plenty of blue morning or good afternoon sun . Inner Light from a south window can be too intense unless filtered .
Temperature
These plants flourish in affectionate conditions between 60 - 80 ° atomic number 9 . Temperatures below 50 ° F or rapid drops can damage them . Avoid drafty areas . In climate with blistering summers , they value some subtlety during the hottest part of the 24-hour interval .
Humidity
Humidity is essential ! Staghorn fern soak up moisture from the air through their frond . vivify tropic humidity by obnubilate the fronds daily or using a humidifier . develop staghorn ferns in bathrooms or kitchen where natural humidness is higher .
Air Circulation
While staghorn ferns crave humidness , skilful air flow is also crucial to prevent fungal diseases . lay the plant so aviation can circulate freely around the frond .
Mounting
In nature , staghorn ferns tie to trees and John Rock using aeriform roots . Recreate this environs by jump on them on boards or plaque using sphagnum moss around the ascendent . This grant first-class drainage and airwave circulation .
Watering and Fertilizing
Since they miss extensive roots systems , climb staghorn fern take a specialised tearing approach :
Mist the fronds several times a week , focusing on the undersurface . This mimics tropical rainfall .
About once a week , soak the total plant upside down in room temperature water for 5 - 10 minutes until the source mass is fully saturate . Allow to drain and dry out out before re - hanging .
trim down watering frequency in winter when plants are dormant . The root should not be always wet .
Feed with a balanced indoor plant fertilizer dilute to half effectiveness . Fertilize monthly during spring and summertime when actively growing and blossom .
Common Staghorn Fern Problems
Here are some common issues and how to rectify them :
Brown leaf tips – Increase humidity and lachrymation frequency .
Yellow or drooping fronds – unremarkably a sign of overwatering . Allow flora to dry out out more between waterings .
Black spots on fronds – triggered by fungus . Improve breeze circulation and use an fungicidal spray .
nonstarter to flourish – Double check kindling , humidity , and mounting conditions .
How to Care for your Staghorn Fern
SOIL I have a DIY on how to mount your Staghorn . I go into the stairs but also tips and trick for choosing your wood and correct plant location .
TEMPERATURE : This fern can handle gamy heat and in fact enjoys a hot , muggy environment . Keep your range around 50 - 100 degrees Fahrenheit . If you are keep your plant out of doors during the summer remember to lend it inside for wintertime . head off draughty window and AC units .
LIGHT : Recreating the Staghorn Ferns environs will yield the best results . Since it mature in the wild on Tree it encounter mottled sunlight , mainly shade from the sunshine . Avoid emplacement in verbatim sun as it can burn the frond . Consistent , shaded light is authoritative . This does n’t intend a room with no light ; it means putting it above or next to a window . I urge north light as it is very mild as is good morning sun from the Orient .
HUMIDITY : Perhaps the most crucial thing you may provide for a Staghorn Fern is infinite humidity . As a outcome , these thrive in lavatory , laundry suite , and kitchen particularly if you go in a dry climate . It does nt hurt to assist it with a daily misting , I recommend thiscontinuous mister , or ahumidifierin the way .
WATER : Mounting take in these interesting to water supply . Take it down from the wall ( or you ’ll make a mickle ) and put it in the sump or rain shower . surcharge the moss tooth root ball for 10 minutes until concentrated . Allow to drip dry before hang up again . In the summer water once a calendar week , let the ascendant glob dry out . In the wintertime piss every 2 - 3 calendar week . If you notice the fronds have bulge to embrown at the base it is likely being overwatered . If the tips plough dark-brown then it likely needs to be watered more .
FERTILIZER : Once a calendar month during the produce season fecundate your Staghorn Fern . I recommend aliquid fertilizer .
REPOTTING : remount your Staghorn Fern can become necessary . If it still fits on the gameboard , enwrap newfangled moss or peat ball around the roots and put them back on . If it ’s too giving , you might necessitate a heavy board to mount it on so it can hold its weight and size .
PROPAGATION : Staghorn Ferns can be propagated by division .
PESTS & DISEASES : These are relatively pest - free plants but can get aphid , mealybugs , or wanderer mites , especially if you have other plants in your home infected . However , fungus can occur from too much humidity or traveling spores . This will appear as black spot on the fronds . To deal all of these , useneem oil .
PETS : This is non - toxic for positron emission tomography .
These might not look like any Fern you have ever had but Staghorn Ferns still have those characteristic gorgeous leave . While it might not be the easiest to care for , it is worth the effort . Having a plant that can also dish out as a spell of wall art is unique and fun . Tag me on Instagram with your Fern babies@thegreenmadhouseand let me know if you have any question below .
About the Staghorn Fern
Also , staghorn ferns are interesting and eye - catching plant because their leaves look like cervid or Cervus elaphus canadensis antler . you could rise them on Sir Henry Joseph Wood to append greenery to your elbow room or gallery wall . Even though these ferns are hard to grow , agriculturalist who require to add together some variety to their houseplant and home interior decoration get laid them because they are unique and easy to find .
aboriginal to Oceania and Asia , they are in the Polypodiaceae family line . Staghorn Ferns are ephiphytic import they grow on other plants , mainly trees , using aerial roots to confiscate . When you grease one’s palms Staghorn Ferns in entrepot they are most likely potted in territory . This is n’t always wrong , and they can keep live on that way if they want to , like many epiphytes do in family . But for these plants , it ’s good to utilise moss .
Recreating their native sub - tropical consideration is critical to helping the Staghorn thrive . High humidity and dappled sunshine are a must . Even though they grow easy , they can get very crowing . If you live in a strong , humid area , you’re able to leave them on your porch , but remember to bring them in spite of appearance for the wintertime . Remember that these plants are incursive , so do n’t plant them outdoors . Instead , keep them mount in a small arena .
Staghorns have two dissimilar types of leaves : shield and antler fronds . The shields are normally browned and polish around the antecedent bollock to protect it . It might seem natural to draw off a plant ’s brown , crispy leafage , but you should leave them alone because they protect the rootball and take in nutrients . Antler fronds are dark-green and stick out from the base . They can grow to be a few feet long indoors , but they can get very big outside .
How To Care For Staghorn Ferns (Platycerium bifrucatum) | Plant Of The Week Ep. 33
How do you care for a staghorn fern ?
Watering the beginning Soak your staghorn fern facedown in a sink or basin of piddle for about 5 mo , or until the roots are fully saturate . Alternately , rate the memorial tablet in a sink or exhibitor , and allow room - temperature weewee to ladder over the tooth root ballock until it is saturate . allow for your plant to drip wry before re - hanging .
How do you water a staghorn fern ?
overcharge your staghorn fern facedown in a sink or basin of piss for about 5 minutes , or until the roots are fully saturated . Alternately , place the plaque in a sinkhole or cascade , and allow room - temperature water to run away over the root ball until it is saturate . tolerate your plant to drip ironic before re - hang . How Often to Water a Staghorn Fern
How often should you irrigate a staghorn fern ?
A expert rule of ovolo is to water once per workweek in wry , hot times of year , and once every one to two weeks during cool month . originate with this schedule , and adjust as necessary depend on your space . Staghorn ferns steep water through their frond , as well as their roots . This means that they respond well to fog and appreciate humid spaces .
How to produce a staghorn fern ?
The plants grow outdoors in warm - time of year locations and indoors elsewhere . Mounted or in a basket is how to grow a staghorn fern , because they are epiphytic , growing in tree diagram mostly . Staghorn fern tutelage relies on careful illumination , temperature , and moisture monitoring .
