If you like to grow strange and unusual plants in your garden, then, staghorn fern can be one of the choices. Even though, they have specific requirements to grow in places other than their native habitat, it is not that difficult to grow them, if you know the right methods.
More About Staghorn Fern
Otherwise known as elkhorn ferns, these plants got their name from the unusual shape of their leaves. The fronds (compound leaves of a fern) of these ferns have the shape of stag antlers. There are around 18 species of staghorn ferns and they belong to the genus Platycerium in the family Polypodiaceae. The different species include Platycerium andinum, Platycerium elephantotis, Platycerium bifurcatum, Platycerium holttumii, Platycerium ridleyi, Platycerium alcicorne and Platycerium wallichii. Among them, Platycerium bifurcatum is most commonly grown as houseplant. They are natives to the tropical and temperate areas of South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Guinea. In their native habitat, these ferns grow as epiphytes. In other words, they are not parasitic, but grow on other plants and trees and derive nutrients from the air and rain.
Staghorn ferns are found to grow on tree trunks and rocks. They attach themselves to the host tree with the help of their roots. They have two types of fronds; basal and foliar. The basal leaves are often found to be round or kidney-shaped and are sterile. These thick leaves grow in overlapping layers and are often found to cover the growing surfaces, so as to protect the roots. The lobes on the upper parts of these leaves collect rainwater, plant debris and fallen leaves. Once these things break down, nutrients will be released and these nutrients will be absorbed by the plant. Foliar fronds are also called fertile fronds and they are erect or pendant and may be divided too. The underside of these leaves produce brownish sporangia, that are the reproductive structures of the plant. Sporangia produces spores which in turn germinate to new plants.
How to Care for a Staghorn Fern
As discussed earlier, these ferns are not like regular plants and need some specific care for a healthy growth. These non flowering plants are perfect to add some more greenery to your garden. If you are living in warm climates, you can grow these plants outdoors. Otherwise, indoors will be best. As houseplants, staghorn ferns are usually mounted on sturdy boards or in hanging baskets.
Mounting: All you have to do is to choose a strong piece of hardwood. Fix a heavy-duty hook on the back of the hardwood, so that it can be secured to the wall. Now, place some pre-soaked sphagnum moss (remove excess water) on the center of the hardwood and keep the fern above that (the fronds must point upwards). Now, fix two small nails on either side of the moss with the fern above it. Now, use a fishing line to interconnect the nails, thereby crisscrossing and covering the moss and fern. This is necessary to keep the fern intact. As the fern grows, the fishing line will get covered. You can hang this in a location with bright indirect light.
Other Requirements: Once you are done with the planting, you have to take special care with regard to growth factors like watering, temperature and feeding. Watering is done by dipping the root ball and the bark in water for around 15 minutes in spring and fall, but, during winters, it must be for a few minutes only. However, make sure that both are completely dry before watering. As temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit are not good for this plant, try to maintain higher temperatures. A temperature setting of 65 degrees Fahrenheit or above are found to be best for staghorns. You may also attach additional barks for the roots to grow. Even misting of the leaves can be done on a weekly basis. The leaves must not be kept damp for a long time. During the growing season, a water soluble formula can be used on small plants. For established on time release fertilizers can be used. Staghorn fern propagation is usually done by removing and planting the saplings produced by the mother plants. These saplings have to be removed carefully along with some moss, and have to be planted as per the method discussed above.
In short, growing staghorn ferns is not a difficult task, but, you must know the right methods. So, contact your local nursery and get one for your garden.
