How to Divide a Staghorn Fern?
- Identifying a Staghorn Fern Offshoot. To identify offshoots that are ready for propagation, it is first necessary to...
- Dividing my Staghorn Fern. Once you have identified an offshoot or natural division on your staghorn fern that is viable...
- Mounting my Divided Staghorn Fern. Staghorn ferns must be mounted as soon as they are divided, and...
How do you divide staghorn ferns?
Staghorn fern is a fascinating plant to grow at home, and over time it can become very large. To divide a large staghorn fern, cut the plant apart when the frond shield has turned brown and dry. Water the staghorn fern thoroughly the day before you plant to divide the plant.
How do you plant a staghorn plant?
Staghorns are grown in a coarse, well-draining potting mixture or in moss-lined baskets, or you can attach the plantlets with plastic-covered wire to a slab of tree-fern fiber, bark or wood. A nest of damp sphagnum moss covering the roots will help maintain moisture.
What happens to staghorn staghorns as they grow?
As a staghorn grows, new green shields are produced from the tips of the rhizomes. The new shields fit snugly against the older shields. A shield turns brown and papery with age, then eventually decays. A mass of organic debris collects, and the shield becomes something of a built-in compost system.
What is a staghorn fern?
This is a unique type of plant, being both an air plant and a fern. Native to rainforests, this tropical fern doesn’t exactly look like other ferns you may be more familiar with. Splitting staghorns may seem complicated or difficult, but it really isn’t.
How do you separate a staghorn fern?
When you're ready to divide your staghorn fern, look for an offshoot and the stem or root that connects it to the main plant. In most cases, you should be able to twist or gently pull the offshoot free, but you may need to get a knife in there to sever the attaching root.
Can you cut a staghorn fern in half?
Use a clean, sharp knife to cut down into the brown shield and sever a group of fronds that has developed at a tip of a branching rhizome. Cut deeply enough to sever rhizome and roots. Once you have made a division, cut any older fertile fronds on that division in half. Soak the divisions in Superthrive.
Can you take a cutting from a staghorn?
A much less intensive method for propagating staghorn ferns is staghorn fern division. This can be done by cutting a full plant in half with a serrated knife – as long as there are plenty of fronds and roots on both halves they should be fine.
How do I start a new staghorn?
My favorite and the easiest way to propagate Staghorn Ferns is to gently remove small offshoots of the main plant and plant it in soil or attach it to a new mount. You may also like: How to grow some of my favorite indoor plants easily in water!
How do you divide a large staghorn?
0:144:43How to Divide and Mount a Staghorn Fern (Platycerium andinum)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHi my name is byron martin here at logee's greenhouses. And today we're going to be talking aboutMoreHi my name is byron martin here at logee's greenhouses. And today we're going to be talking about staghorn fern. So this is a very large specimen and quite old of platter serum and denim and denim is
Should you remove dead leaves from staghorn?
Remove these fronds near their base if the entire frond is dead or damaged, or just cut back to the nearest healthy portion of the foliage if only part of the frond is dead or damaged. Leave the dead and damaged basal fronds on the plant because they provide food for the fern as they decompose.
Can you propagate staghorn fern from a leaf?
Staghorn ferns are slow to propagate. They can be grown from spores, leaf cuttings or division of the plant itself.
Can you grow staghorn sumac from a cutting?
Treated seed and root cuttings are used for increase. From this article from the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Extension Propagating Deciduous and Evergreen Shrubs, Trees and Vines with Stem Cuttings, we learned that all species of rhus (sumac) are best propagated by softwood cuttings in the summer.
How do you collect staghorn fern spores?
The best way to collect spores on staghorn fern is to cut off one of the fronds and place it in a paper bag. The spores should eventually dry out and drop to the bottom of the bag. Alternatively, you can wait until the spores begin to dry on the plant, then scrape them away gently with a knife.
Are coffee grounds good for staghorn ferns?
Q. Are coffee grounds good for staghorn ferns? In limited amounts, coffee grounds can help boost soil acidity and organic content of the growing media. But they should not be viewed as a replacement for either proper fertilization or an appropriate planting mix.
What kind of wood do you use to mount a staghorn fern?
cedarMounting Staghorn Ferns should be done on rot resistant wood like cedar. Because of the aggressive way that they are watered, and the fact that they are so closely connected to the wood, you need something that can last long term.
How often should you water a staghorn fern?
A good rule of thumb is to water once per week in dry, hot times of year, and once every two to three weeks during cooler months. Start with this schedule, and adjust as necessary depending on your space. Staghorn ferns absorb water through their fronds, as well as their roots.
How often should I water my staghorn fern?
Water your staghorn ferns regularly, but make sure their growing mediums' dry in between watering sessions. Overwatering staghorn ferns can damage...
Do staghorn ferns need to be fertilized?
Fertilizing or feeding staghorn ferns can benefit them. Once per month, give them a dose of light fertilizer that is diluted with water. If they st...
What are the best growing conditions for staghorn ferns?
Staghorn ferns are tropical air plants that enjoy good air circulation, which is why they thrive on mounts. They require good light and will not be...
How to Divide a Staghorn Fern?
To divide a staghorn fern, identify a natural division or offshoot with a root or stem connected to the main plant. Usually, these can be removed by gently twisting them free from the mother plant, but if not, a sterile knife can be used to sever the roots. Offshoots must be mounted immediately as failure to do so could harm or kill the plant.
When to Divide my Staghorn Ferns
As a rule of thumb, the best time to divide staghorn ferns is in early spring, before they enter their active growing season.
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Divide a Staghorn Fern
Water your staghorn ferns regularly, but make sure their growing mediums’ dry in between watering sessions. Overwatering staghorn ferns can damage them significantly and encourage fungal infections such as black spot. They love a good misting, and their leaves can be treated to this every few days.
Conclusion
Staghorn ferns are living works of art and look absolutely magnificent both in the home and garden.
What happens when a staghorn grows?
Many staghorns are clumping and have creeping, branching rhizomes that are hidden behind the shields. As a staghorn grows, new green shields are produced from the tips of the rhizomes. The new shields fit snugly against the older shields. A shield turns brown and papery with age, then eventually decays. A mass of organic debris collects, and the ...
What are the two types of staghorns?
A: Epiphytic staghorns have two types of fronds: flat, sterile shield fronds and emerging, longer fertile fronds that resemble a stag's horns. It is the flat shield fronds that cling to the surface on which the fern grows.
How to cut down a rhizome?
Use a clean, sharp knife to cut down into the brown shield and sever a group of fronds that has developed at a tip of a branching rhizome. Cut deeply enough to sever rhizome and roots. Once you have made a division, cut any older fertile fronds on that division in half. Soak the divisions in Superthrive. Most Popular.
What are staghorn fern pups?
Staghorn ferns can reproduce and spread without any help from humans, but producing new plants is one way to ensure you have plenty of staghorns in your collection. This article gives tips on growing and caring for staghorn ferns.
How to propagate staghorn fern pups?
The best time to take staghorn fern pups is in spring as new growth begins. For propagation using free-rooting cuttings, harvest the pups when they are about 4 inches tall and the lower leaves have fallen off.
How to identify true staghorn fern pups?
True staghorn fern pups are found on mature plants and will have already formed into little fern plants. The only part of the pup that is white is the center ball of white fuzz, which will eventually turn brown as it matures. The mature fern is green on top and tan underneath.
How do you divide staghorn ferns?
Considered the king of house plants, the staghorn fern is one of the easiest to grow. Adding a staghorn fern to your decorating or gardening plans can be an exciting experience. Staghorn ferns commonly live for decades and can get quite large while adding a tropical feel to any space.
How to care for you propagated staghorn fern?
After the propagation, the staghorn fern replicates and grows normally. The simple care for you new staghorn fern will be:
How do you start a staghorn fern puppy?
Staghorn fern babies (also known as “pups”) are very easy to root. The other plants will look similar to a rhizome on a staghorn fern, so try not to get them mixed up. Rhizomes are the brown tubers that form on the bottom of a staghorn fern plant at the base of each leaf. Staghorn fern cuttings do not take from rhizomes, so don’t make that mistake.
Conclusion
This article was written to help you propagate the staghorn fern, how to find a pup, a way to tell if the pup is real. In case you get your staghorn fern from someone else and you can’t distinguish it from a pup, feel free to ask me on how can I tell if something is true or not.
What is the difference between elkhorn and staghorn?
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 ...
How to hang an elkhorn on a frame?
Place the elkhorn on the frame with the antlers pointing upwards and then mark where the drilled holes for threading the wire will be. The wire is then threaded around the plant and poked through the drilled holes (you can also thread the wires through the board first, leaving a large loop in which to place the plant).
Why do elkhorns grow on trees?
This is because the elkhorn will moisten the bark, providing a site for fungus decay and insect damage. It is a much better idea to mount the elkhorn on a piece of timber, attaching it to the tree afterwards. Elkhorns do not like too much sun, as they are used to growing under a forest canopy.
Can you use galvanised wire on Don's Elkhorn?
Don’s elkhorn was too thick for nailing and was consequently wired on to the frame. Don used a roll of galvanised wire, but coat hanger wire would also be sufficient. Tip: Take care not to put the wire in contact with any green foliage as this may result in a burnt appearance on the leaves.
Do elkhorns need to be divided?
Staghorns and elkhorns are epiphytic, which means that they grow on another plant but don’t get food, minerals or water from the host plant. These plants may need to be divided every so often. Don showed us how to divide an elkhorn and place it onto a new backing board, but a staghorn could be substituted equally well.
How to divide a staghorn fern?
To divide a large staghorn fern, cut the plant apart when the frond shield has turned brown and dry. Water the staghorn fern thoroughly the day before you plant to divide the plant. A few hours before you divide the staghorn fern, place a large handful of sphagnum moss in a bowl of water, and allow the moss to soak until it's saturated. ...
Where should I hang a staghorn fern?
Hang the staghorn fern in a shady place where it will be sheltered from heavy winds. Look carefully at the staghorn fern, and you'll be able to see obvious divisions in the fern between the original plant and the smaller "pups.".
What does a staghorn fern look like?
Staghorn fern, (Platycerium bifercatum), does not look like a typical lacy fern, but resembles a large pair of elk antlers. The staghorn fern is an "epiphytic" plant, which means that it survives by attaching itself to the bark of a tree.
Does a staghorn fern harm a tree?
The staghorn fern is an "epiphytic" plant, which means that it survives by attaching itself to the bark of a tree. Although the staghorn fern depends on the host tree for survival, it doesn't harm the tree. Staghorn fern is a fascinating plant to grow at home, and over time it can become very large. To divide a large staghorn fern, cut the plant ...
