Do staghorn ferns need supplemental fertilizers?
That means supplemental staghorn fern feeding is necessary for optimum health. For most plants, fertilizers are used during the active growing season. This is the case with staghorn ferns as well. In the winter, the plant is fairly dormant and does not need extra nutrients to fuel growth.
How do you take care of a staghorn fern?
We don’t recommend putting your staghorn in a room without natural sun. Basements tend to be a no-go. Your watering regimen consists of two processes: misting and soaking. Use a spray-bottle that emits a fine, ambient mist, such as a brass mister. Mist the entire plant, focusing on the underside of the antler fronds and the shield fronds.
Can staghorn ferns be outside in winter?
This is especially important during winter. Staghorn ferns are surprisingly cold-hardy, but for optimal growth, the temperature should not be allowed to drop below 50 degrees or above 100 degrees. Staghorn ferns can be placed outdoors when temperatures stay within this range.
What is the best fertilizer for staghorn ferns?
Staghorns will do well on a product with a balanced ratio, such as a 10:10:10 formula. If a liquid purchased product doesn't pass your organic or natural test, there are other options. Staghorn ferns and banana peels are an option that is popular. You simply put a peel under the shield leaves.
Do staghorn ferns need to be fertilized?
While the fern is young, fertilizer should be applied monthly during warm months and every other month during the cooler months when as growth slows. Mature staghorns will thrive with a once- or twice-yearly fertilizer application. Staghorn fern is an interesting and low-maintenance addition to any home.
How do you keep a staghorn fern happy?
The staghorn fern is a typical jungle plant that does appreciate plenty of humidity. If your home has very dry air it might not be happy in there. Try placing the plant in one of the more humid areas of the house, like the bathroom, or run a humidifier to keep the moisture levels up.
How often should a staghorn fern be watered?
Proper watering is an essential component of a staghorn fern's success. They'll need frequent watering, but the base should be allowed to dry out in between—about once a week in warmer climates or during the summer months, and once every two to three weeks in cooler months.
Should I remove brown leaves from staghorn fern?
A brown shield frond does not mean your staghorn fern is dying, and dried shield fronds should never be removed! The final part of the staghorn fern is the root ball. Since stags are epiphytes, their root systems are fairly minimal, and help the plant attach to its home.
Can you overwater a staghorn?
Since the Staghorn Fern is an epiphyte that naturally grows along tree trunks in the tropics, its roots are smaller than you might expect and are easily overwatered. This can lead to root rot and harm your plant. Keep an eye out for brown or black spots at the base of the antler fronds, which indicate overwatering.
Are coffee grounds good for staghorn ferns?
Banana skins, coffee grounds and tea bags are excellent slow release fertilizers that you can place behind your Staghorn or Elkhorn plants.
How do you feed bananas to staghorn ferns?
1:453:38How To Feed Bananas to Staghorn Ferns - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep3 make banana water toss a fresh peel into a container. And add distilled water let the peelMoreStep3 make banana water toss a fresh peel into a container. And add distilled water let the peel soak for a day or two and use the water not the peel to water the staghorn.
Why are the tips of my staghorn fern turning brown?
If you notice that your Staghorn Fern's leaves are turning brown and crisping up, it may be due to a lack of water. Underwatering usually means your Staghorn Fern will start to develop brown leaf tips and leaf edges, and as the problem progresses, this will progress throughout the leaf.
How do I know if my staghorn fern needs water?
3:515:19Watering and Caring for a Staghorn Fern - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr if you overwater you'll notice that this part the roots part is gonna be really really reallyMoreOr if you overwater you'll notice that this part the roots part is gonna be really really really black. And then you know you're over watering it but if it's a good color like a brown color. Then you'
Can staghorn ferns take full sun?
Staghorn ferns need lots of bright but indirect or diffused sunlight. This is best achieved by placing them next to the brightest window in the house. All directions are fine, but west-facing windows might expose the fern to too much direct afternoon sun.
Are banana skins good for staghorns?
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.
Are coffee grounds good for staghorn ferns?
Banana skins, coffee grounds and tea bags are excellent slow release fertilizers that you can place behind your Staghorn or Elkhorn plants.
Why do staghorns go brown?
If you notice that your Staghorn Fern's leaves are turning brown and crisping up, it may be due to a lack of water. Underwatering usually means your Staghorn Fern will start to develop brown leaf tips and leaf edges, and as the problem progresses, this will progress throughout the leaf.
How do you make a staghorn fern grow faster?
In terms of fertilizer, give your staghorn fern houseplant fertilizer that's been diluted to half-strength once a month or so in spring and summer. Wait six weeks between feedings during the winter months.
How do you care for a potted staghorn fern?
Avoid direct sunlight, which is too intense. On the other hand, staghorn ferns in too much shade tend to grow slowly and are more likely to develop problems with pests or disease. Feed staghorn ferns every month during spring and summer, then cut back to every other month when growth slows in fall and winter.
When should you feed your staghorn fern?
For staghorn fern feeding, a liquid diet is ideal. It’s simple to use and may be diluted to avoid burning. During the warm months, young plants may be fed once a month, and once every other month during the cooler months. Plants may survive with only one or two yearly feedings throughout the growing season after they’ve reached maturity.
What is the best way to hang a staghorn fern in a tree?
The root ball of the staghorn fern may also be wrapped in chain, secured with S-hooks, and suspended from extra chain around a tree limb , although this technique tends to restrict the plant.
What are the benefits of Epsom salt for ferns?
Epsom salts, used as a liquid fertilizer, perform wonderfully on ferns, giving the leaves a rich, dark green hue. Elephant ear plants, for example, benefit from the additional magnesium. Mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt with 1 gallon of water and apply as a drench.
Is it necessary to water a staghorn fern on a regular basis?
Start with this routine and tweak it as needed to fit your space. Water is absorbed by staghorn ferns via their fronds as well as their roots.
Do staghorn ferns prefer to be in the sun?
Staghorn Ferns like natural light, but not direct sunlight. They usually grow beneath tree canopies that offer mild shade. A house with an east, west, or south exposure is acceptable, but with these latter two, make sure your fern is at least 10 feet away from a hot window.
Is it necessary to install a staghorn fern?
Staghorn Ferns are an Epiphyte species, which means they don’t need soil to thrive, which is why they may be hung on the wall.
How can you tell the difference between a staghorn and an elkhorn?
Elkhorn (Platycerium bifurcatum) has thinner, wispier leaves and numerous “eyes” or rosettes of foliage, while staghorn (Platycerium superbum – pronounced with emphasis on the middle syllable) has a single eye and bigger leaves.
How to fertilize staghorns?
Know that fish emulsion is one acceptable fertilizer for Staghorns. Mix 1 tsp. full in 1/2 cup of water. Stir. Carefully pour the mixture into the basal trap. Hold a paper towel under the fern to catch any leakage. Fertilize monthly.
What is the best way to feed a staghorn fern?
Know that there is a third option and it is one that appeals most because it involves recycling and you get a sandwich out of the deal. Staghorn ferns love potassium and a great source of that is a banana. After making your peanut butter and banana sandwich, reserve half of the peel.
How do staghorns feed?
Understand that In its natural habitat a Staghorn takes care of feeding itself. Falling plant debris is collected behind the plant by one of the two types of leaves. Basal fronds or sterile fronds are the brown ones in the back that attach your Staghorn to the growing surface. Some of those fronds will be upright and split. In the wild, those overlapping fronds will catch falling plant debris and water creating a natural mulch pile that will gradually decay and supply nutrients for the plants growth. Since your stag is inside, you will need to help this process along and there are several effective choices.
Do staghorn ferns need soil?
Staghorn ferns are epiphytic perennials, commonly called air plants, and do not require soil for successful growth. A slow growing plant, they exhibit glossy green fronds that remind many of deer antlers. A tropical plant, they can be grown successfully indoors, adding a striking natural accent to any décor. Like all air plants, Staghorn ferns require little attention and minimal maintenance. What is required though is critical to successfully cultivating these enchanting examples of nature.
Can you overwater a stag fern?
The other thing to remember is not to over water. If you are watering the basal trap, be aware that the outer part of the trap could appear dry and brittle while the inner part is holding enough moisture to keep the plant healthy for a long time. More Stag ferns are killed due to over watering than by going dry. Let the plant start to wilt a bit before watering. Try to avoid using tap water, since Stag ferns are not fond of some of the chemicals used in what comes out of our faucets.
How to get minerals out of staghorn fern?
Gently sprinkle water into the staghorn fern to begin the release of trace minerals from the granules onto the fern, or allow a natural rain or timed irrigation sprinkler shower start the process.
What is a staghorn fern?
Staghorn ferns (Platycerium spp.) are frost-tender plants that are epiphytic, or grow upon another plant. Staghorn ferns grow affixed to the trunks of rainforest trees or in wire or wooden baskets in the gardens of plant enthusiasts. These ferns' roots are minimal and the clustering mass of leaves adhere themselves to a surface, ...
What are the macronutrients in fertilizer?
The product may be in liquid form or in water-soluble crystals and must have the macronutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as a broad array of micronutrients.
Do ferns have roots?
These ferns' roots are minimal and the clustering mass of leaves adhere themselves to a surface, gathering rainwater and nutrients from dust, falling leaf litter and dead insects.
Do staghorn ferns have banana peel?
Although providing some nutrients, the banana peel deteriorates quickly and fails to provide a balanced, complete source of all needed nutrients.
How to get rid of staghorn fern?
Soaking your staghorn fern. Soak your staghorn fern in a sink or basin of water for 10-20 minutes, or until the roots are fully saturated.
How to keep a staghorn fern from misting?
If your staghorn fern is in a space where it receives lots of ambient humidity, like a bathroom, you’ll probably be able to reduce your misting and watering. More light or heat = more watering. During the summer, be especially attentive to your stag.
What is the second type of staghorn fern?
The second type of staghorn fern frond is called the shield frond. These are the round, hard plate-like leaves that surround the base of the plant. Their function is to protect the plant roots, and take up water and nutrients. These fronds start out green, but eventually turn brown and dry up. This is a totally normal part of the staghorn fern life-cycle -- in fact, this is one of the most common misconceptions in staghorn fern care. A brown shield frond does not mean your staghorn fern is dying, and dried shield fronds should never be removed!
How many species of staghorn fern are there?
There are about 12,000 fern species, and ferns are amongst the most ancient plants.
What are staghorn fern leaves called?
Fern leaves are actually called fronds , and staghorn ferns have two types. The first, and most prominent, is the “antler” frond - these are the large, bifurcated leaves that shoot out of the center of the plant, and from which staghorn ferns get their names, since they resemble the antlers of deer or moose.
Why is my staghorn fern not growing?
Under and over-watering are the most common causes of staghorn fern failure. There is no hard and fast rule as to how often a staghorn fern will need watering - the amount of light, humidity and heat they receive in your home will dictate your watering schedule. However, here are a few rules that tend to work well for us:
What is the final part of a staghorn fern?
The final part of the staghorn fern is the root ball. Since stags are epiphytes, their root systems are fairly minimal, and help the plant attach to its home. Because the roots are so minimal, staghorn ferns need extensive drainage and are particularly susceptible to root rot.
How to fertilize a staghorn fern?
Using banana fertilizer for staghorn ferns is an easy way to maintain your plant’s health while reducing kitchen waste. Depending on the size of your fern, feed it with up to four banana peels a month to provide potassium plus smaller amounts of phosphorus and micronutrients. A banana peel is almost like a time-release fertilizer for these nutrients.
How do staghorn ferns grow?
In this habitat, organic materials like leaf litter collect in the cup formed by the upturned basal fronds. Water washing down from the forest canopy both hydrates the fern and brings it nutrients. Organic materials falling into the cup break down and slowly release minerals for the plant to absorb.
How to get rid of fruit flies on ferns?
If you’re worried that the peel will attract fruit flies to an indoor fern, soak the peel in water for a few days, discard or compost the peel, then water the plant.
What are staghorn ferns?
Staghorn ferns are epiphytes, plants that grow on elevated surfaces away from contact with the soil. They produce two types of fronds: antler fronds, which stick out from the center of the fern, and basal fronds, which grow in overlapping layers and cling to the surface the plant is growing on.
Can bananas be treated with fungicides?
Conventional bananas are typically treated with fungicides to control a damaging fungal disease. Since the peels are not considered edible, fungicides that are not permitted on edible parts may be allowed on peels. Printer Friendly Version. This article was last updated on 07/22/20. Read more about Staghorn Ferns.
Can you feed bananas to a plant?
You can “feed” a whole peel or even a whole banana to the plant by placing it on top of the plant, among its fronds.
How to tell if a staghorn fern needs water?
Watering a horizontal plant that doesn’t have “real” soil might be a first for you. When your staghorn fern’s antler fronds look droopier than usual, that’s a good sign your plant needs water.
How Do I Mount a Staghorn Fern?
Your imagination is the limit when it comes to mounting your Staghorn fern. You can go with traditional methods or forge your own path. Check out this easy idea:
Why are my staghorn fern leaves yellow?
Yellow leaves can also be a plea for more humidity.
Where are the shield fronds on a staghorn fern?
They work to absorb the essential nutrients and moisture your plant needs. You will locate them at the base of your Staghorn Fern.
Where did staghorn ferns originate?
Staghorn ferns are “Epiphytic” (ep-eh-fit-ick), which basically means that they naturally grow on things instead of in them. Originating from Asia and Australia, these plants cling to treetops and have zero soil. Sounds strange, right?
What is the best fertilizer for a garden?
You’re much better off fertilizing with a balanced fertilizer that already contains macro-nutrients such as nitrogen. Nitrogen naturally encourages foliage growth.
Why do you use coffee grounds in plants?
Coffee grounds are used to add acid to soil and to treat nitrogen deficiencies. If you fertilize your plant with diluted Orchid fertilizer, as you should be, your plant does not likely have a nitrogen deficiency (nitrogen is a primary ingredient in most plant fertilizers).
What is a staghorn fern?
The Staghorn Fern is an unusual plant, being both an air plant and a fern, though it bears little resemblance to most ferns. In its natural environment of tropical forests, the plant grows on tree trunks or rocks, absorbing moisture from the humid air and collecting nutrients from the falling leaves of overhead trees.
Why don't you remove brown leaves from a staghorn fern?
They fulfill a very important purpose to the survival of the plant, so it’s vital that you don’t remove the brown leaves. The primary function of the fertile leaves is reproduction. They produce spores from which new Staghorn Ferns can be grown. The sterile leaves are how the plant feeds itself and protects itself.
What is a sterile fern?
The sterile leaves are also referred to as shield leaves, as they grow around the root ball, protecting it. When the Staghorn Fern is grown as a houseplant or outside in a garden, the way you water it will depend on the growing medium you have used. In most instances, the plant will be growing on sphagnum moss.
How do you know if a staghorn fern needs water?
In order to understand the watering requirements of the Staghorn Fern, you need to understand a little about the science of the plant and how it absorbs moisture and nutrients. The Fern has two types of leaves: fertile and sterile. On a mature Staghorn Fern, it is easy to quickly distinguish between the two because the fertile leaves are the long antler-shaped green leaves, while the sterile leaves are the brown and dry looking leaves at the base of the plant.
What is the best medium for a staghorn fern?
Many people choose to mount their Staghorn Fern on a wooden board or hang it from a wide basket. In these instances, sphagnum moss is generally the best growing medium. Fix it to your board or basket with wires, and then, securely attach your plant on top of this.
Why are my staghorn ferns' leaves brown?
On younger plants, the sterile leaves start out pale green, but as they age, it is normal for them to become brown and look almost dead. They fulfill a very important purpose to the survival of the plant, so it’s vital that you don’t remove the brown leaves. The primary function of the fertile leaves is reproduction. They produce spores from which new Staghorn Ferns can be grown. The sterile leaves are how the plant feeds itself and protects itself. In its natural habitat, the brown leaves would catch falling debris and foliage from other plants, which, over time, would decompose and release nutrients that would be absorbed by the plant.
How to treat a plant with sterile leaves?
You could use a few ice cubes each week as a watering method; as they melt, they will gradually water the plant, ensuring that the soil never becomes too wet. As the sterile leaves also absorb moisture, you can spray them with a water mist to water the plant, but be careful not to mist the fertile leaves. Sitting water on the fertile leaves can block their pores and interfere with the production of spores.