Staghorn ferns are so beautiful and majestical that growing one can seem restrain – but they ’re prosperous to handle for than you might believe . In this mail , I ’ll show you all you need to make out so you may keep yours thriving for 10 !
The fall foliage of a staghorn fern , and its typically long life , have made it a popular indoor or outdoor plant among home gardener .
Though it seems like they would be highly bad-tempered and almost unsufferable to asseverate , it ’s really surprisingly wanton .
Huge staghorn fern growing on a tree
In this elaborate guide , you ’ll learn all there is to get it on about staghorn fern care , so you’re able to enjoy growing them for many years to amount .
You ’ll get my good advice on sun , tearing , fertilizer , dirt , pestilence ascendancy , propagation , and so much more .
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Information About Staghorn Ferns
Staghorn ferns , or Platycerium bifurcatum , are evergreen plant epiphytes native to the tropical regions of Australia .
Epiphytic plants like these are naturally rule cohere to Tree . That ’s because they get their food from the air , timber debris , and rain , rather than the soil .
These telling specimen are known for their bleary , just , forked foliar frond that resemble cervid antler , which is why some people call them “ elkhorn ferns ” .
The folio sprout from mere roots that are protect by a basal frond , also call a shield . These shields protrude out green , then turn browned as they age .
Stag fern can live for ten , and over time can grow very large and backbreaking .
Different Staghorn Fern Varieties
There are over a dozen staghorn fern varieties , and all of them postulate the same care and care . Here are some of the more common one .
How To Grow Platycerium bifurcatum
Before we talk about staghorn fern care , first you ’ll need to think about where to raise them . Choosing a good location is a very authoritative first step .
Hardiness
As a nativelytropical plant , Platyceriums are not cold stout . They get leaf damage and set down even with unclouded frosts .
They can be leave outdoors in zones 10 + , keep as a houseplant year - round , or moved indoors for wintertime in colder climates .
Where To Grow Staghorn Ferns
you’re able to grow a staghorn fern outside in a shady area all year if you live in a warm climate that does n’t get below 50 ° F for recollective time period of meter .
There ’s no need to find a spot in the land , they ’ll be happiest in a cling basketful , attached to a board , or in a tree .
Otherwise , put yours in a warm , bright , and humid localisation indoors through the winter . Then when temporary are tender enough , move it alfresco for the summertime .
Though it can be more difficult , some people have expectant succeeder keep them indoors twelvemonth - round .
Staghorn Fern Plant Care & Growing Instructions
Now that you have the perfect place in mind to grow one , it ’s time to learn about staghorn fern aid . The pourboire here will help you keep yours healthy and happy throughout the year .
Sunlight
Outdoors , staghorn ferns prefer full to partial specter , because unmediated sun can sear the leaves and dry them out too quickly .
But indoors they ’ll need lot of brilliant , indirect light . An east or Dame Rebecca West facing windowpane where they get filtered sunlight is idealistic .
If you do n’t have any natural sun in your family , I commend using agrow lightfor the best results .
Water
Platycerium bifurcatum absorbs moisture primarily from the foliar and basal fronds . rain , or an occasional light spray from the garden hose , outdoors is all they ’ll call for .
The best method indoors is to soak the rootball for 10 to 15 mo . deluge them in a bucket of room - temperature water is easiest , but you’re able to also stream it over the growing medium to saturate it .
Always let them drain totally , and repeat only when the metier has dried out .
They ’re very susceptible to root putrefaction , so take care to not over do it . It ’s better to mistake on the side of permit it dry out more . If they begin to wilt slightly , that ’s a sign it ’s ready for a drink .
Humidity
air plant like the staghorn fern farm best in high humidness . It ’s a near practice to mist them daily during the summer , especially when it ’s red-hot .
Indoors you’re able to run a smallhumidifiernearby , or set it next to the shower or a sink . If yours is in a container , you could gear up it on top of a pebble tray .
Be cautious about misting the foliar fronds too much . Sitting moisture can induce fungus problems , which will appear as black blot .
Temperature
The ideal temperature for produce Platyceriums is between 60 - 80 ° farad . This is pretty well-off to maintain indoors . But if it ’s outside , be sure to move it inside before it drops down into the 50 ’s .
If yours is too prominent to move indoors , covering it with a sheet or blanket can aid it outlast mild , episodic freezes .
When it gets much hotter , or if the air is very dry , then you ’ll need to water and mist over them more ofttimes .
Fertilizer
fertilise your staghorn fern is not a necessary part of their routine tutelage . But they ’ll have more vigorous growing with monthly feeding from spring through autumn .
The easiest way to fertilize them is by using an all - naturalliquid fertilizeror acompost teawhen you H2O . For outside plant , fish emulsionis also a great option .
I recommend ward off chemical ground product however , as they can damage the sensitive fronds .
Soil
pot soil is not required for staghorn ferns , they can grow just fine without it . If you prefer to put yours in a container , make certain to use awell - draining mass medium .
Or you’re able to amend aregular potting mixwithperliteandcoarse sand , utilise anorchid medium , or try a combination of halfpine barkand halfcactus grunge .
However , mounting them is much more unwashed . but enwrap the stem gently inburlap , or position them on top of dampenedsphagnum moss , and anchor it to a board .
you’re able to get mystep by stride direction for how to bestride them here .
Repotting
As stag fern shell frond grow larger , they ’ll finally incase the container or circuit board . So repotting them can be unmanageable .
For containerized specimens , cautiously extract the rootball and replant at the same depth in a larger pot .
If yours is mounted , do n’t attempt to remove it from the board . or else , simply boom the original to a turgid circuit card . Be careful not to nail through any fronds though .
Pruning
Unless there are damage or idle foliar frond , pruning is not a required part of typical staghorn fern care .
all in or dying leaves can be absent at any time . Use sharp , sterileprecision shearsto cut the entire leaf off at the base if it ’s all in , or just crop it back below the damaged peak .
But do n’t remove the dark-brown shield fronds . Those are a instinctive and necessary part of their life Hz .
Pest Control Tips
With the proper care , healthy staghorn ferns rarely have takings with pestis . However occasionally mealybug or scale leaf can become an takings .
The fronds are very sore to many kinds of pest dominance production , specially rock oil - base ones .
If possible , taste manus picking or washing the bugs by with a stiff atomiser of water first . you could employ anorganic insecticidal soapwhen necessary .
Or hear making your own by combining 1 teaspoon ofmild liquid soapwith 1 cubic decimetre of piddle . prove any eccentric of spray on a leafage first , and await 24 hours before applying it to the entire works to check that there ’s no damage .
Staghorn Fern Propagation Tips
There are two way to propagate a Platycerium bifurcatum – either by rooting pups , or collecting spore .
The comfortable and most common method acting is to remove the pups from the al-Qaeda of the flora with a sterilized tongue .
Pot it up , or wrap the base in dampenedsphagnum moss , and tie it to a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or other support . The puppy can then be cared for in the same way as the female parent .
Troubleshooting Common Staghorn Fern Problems
Once you get the hang of it , staghorn fern care is pretty simple . But , you may bunk into a few problems now and then . Here are my near tips for secure these common issues .
Leaves Turning Yellow
Yellow leaves are most in all likelihood triggered by improper watering , lack of light , or louse problem .
Check for pest and treat them right away if you find any . If it ’s indoors , move it to a bright localisation , or add agrow illumination .
Never let them dry out out for long point time , particularly when it ’s spicy . But also annul continue them always wet to prevent rot . They need to dry out out a bit between drunkenness .
Leaves Turning Brown
unlawful tearing , direct Dominicus , cold temperatures , or lack of humidity are the main causes of brown leaves . If the base of a leaf , or the full thing , is turning brownish or black , it ’s been overwatered .
abrasive sunlight can also cause scorched browned spots , or burn entire leaves . Freezing temp can damage them in the same way of life .
If just the leaf tips or margins are brown and ironical , then they need more moisture or increased humidity .
Staghorn Fern Not Growing
Staghorn ferns will produce well with consistent wet , high humidness , lovesome temperatures , and bright , indirect Christ Within . A lack of any of those can slow or stall them .
It ’s also normal for them to slow down during the moth-eaten time of year . In the spring , they ’ll begin to put on new growth again .
Brown Spots On Leaves
Brown spots on the leaves can be rough-cut and normal , or due to overwatering . If they ’re soft and sentimental , allow the mass medium to dry out out more between drinkable .
However the spore on the underside of the foliar frond will turn chocolate-brown as they mature . It ’s a normal reproductive mechanism .
They get going out green , and then call on brown as they educate to free the spore .
Basal Fronds Turning Brown
The basal frond turn chocolate-brown as they get on , which is a normal part of their life sentence cycle , and nothing to vex about .
They ’ll come forth greenish but work brown and papery over time . Though it can be tantalising , do n’t seek to remove them .
FAQs About Staghorn Fern Care
How fast does a staghorn fern grow?
How tight a staghorn fern grows depends mostly on the environment . Ideal spark , urine , humidness , and temperature will encourage dissipated growth . you may also give them the occasional eating with an organicliquid fertilizerduring the spring and summertime for an extra rise .
Can staghorn ferns grow in pots with soil?
Staghorn fern can grow in pots , but it ’s good to void heavy dirt - ground mixes . They ’re very susceptible to rot , and will do much well in a coarse , well - aerated medium instead .
Do staghorn ferns like shade or sun?
Staghorn fern like brilliant light , but choose shade over full Sunday . Too much unmediated sunshine can glow the fronds and leafage .
How do you make a staghorn fern grow faster?
you could boost a staghorn fern to produce quicker by providing heap of brilliant , indirect light , ensure it get plenty of humidness , and by give it a monthly dosage of fertiliser in the spring and summertime .
Can a staghorn fern live indoors?
Yes , a staghorn fern can live indoors , and they are pull ahead popularity as a houseplant . Many the great unwashed have great achiever growing them indoors year - round .
With the staghorn fern care hint in this templet , you ’ll be able to keep them develop and thriving for a very foresighted time . The unique antler - shaped frond will be a highlight in your aggregation , either indoors or outside .
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