Staghorn fern

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

Hi,i'm new here

and looking for advice on a staghorn fern. I just bought a tiny platycerium alcicorne from a nursery online and they have sent me the plant in the pics. The leaves look ok but I'm concerned about the sterile part. Is it supposed to look damp and mouldy? I saw a snail on it yesterday. It's obvious they've sent me a plant they're had for a while from the tattered look of the pot and label but that aside, is this thing healthy?

Featured Answer

User

10 years ago

The first thing I'd do is take it out of that pot. I have mine in an slatted wooden orchid basket. They can take a lot of abuse, but I would make sure there are no more snails in it. Mine had all but died, and I cut it into pieces and stuck what was left into the orchid basket, most of it just to hold the few remaining living pieces in place. Lo and behold, the "dead" pieces started putting out tiny babies from the cut sides, and it all grew back. Snails got to mine too, but I managed to get them all out, and it came back out beautifully. Then it got sunburned badly, and I thought it was dead, but it's still coming back out again.

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Comments (8)

11elevenen
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for replying so quickly. This is my first staghorn fern so I have no idea. I'd rather not have to perform remedial work on a plant I just bought but the thought of having to deal with this particular nursery again puts me off returning it. I will take it out of the pot.
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garyfla_gw
10 years ago
Hi

I've had the best luck with them mounted either on boards or on trees. My neighbors have a very healthy one growing on the outside of a wire basket lined with sphagnum. The key seems to be moist but good drainage.

May I ask the nursery?? Have been looking for a P. madagascarensis but unable to locate. Thanks gary
11elevenen thanked garyfla_gw
wisconsitom
10 years ago
Me no expert on staghorns, but to revisit one of my earlier topics, if it's staghorn ferns you desire to learn about, visit the Edison-Ford grounds in Fort Myers. Some of theirs-a lot of theirs-must weigh half a ton. Unbelievable.
11elevenen thanked wisconsitom
User
10 years ago
Forgot to ask what zone you are in. They need to be in shade, and up here in 9a, I don't see a lot growing on trees or left outside all year.
11elevenen
Original Author
10 years ago
My previous message seems to have gone missing? I am in Spain, hardiness Zone 10A, subtropical/Mediterranean coastal climate. Gary, I bought my plant by mail order from a nursery in Valencia which won't really help you as you're in the US. I plan to mount my plant staghorn fern on a board and hang it indoors. I've seen some stunning staghorns on boards online.
11elevenen
Original Author
10 years ago
The mossy bits (looks just like a decompsing leaf really) really bothers me. I know it's not the done thing, but if I remove it, will it hurt the plant?
garyfla_gw
10 years ago
Hi

To me the" Mossy bits" looks like the modified leaf which they use to attach to trees or rocks . Believe it's called a shield?? So you wouldn't want to cut it off. I find them very easy mounted, difficult in pots though I have had some luck with long fibered sphagnum moss even had spores germinate in it but mounted on a hardwood board is best,.Since you live in a dry climate a "pad "of sphagnum would probably help it until established

Love to visit nurseries but Spain might be a bit too far even for me lol Thanks gary