I think not enough room for the guy to root. The usual remedy would be too remove it from the shell,slice the roots to flatten it out of the round shape..and re mount on a board or slab of bark. Or maybe- wedge that on a tree branches crotch.

Right now the tiny root system cant help bring water to the leafs.

That makes sense. It's totally wrapped around the top and really dried out. Any tips on removing? I actually have it soaking now.

Ok I got them off. The root system on the left one is much better. Do you think they will be able to recover? What kind of moss is best?

You could use Orchid moss..being the ferns are so small,might as well use the best. Find a slab of wood of some type,pack the moss on it,put the ferns -2 boards- on top and tie with fishing line or green plastic tape.Make sure you secure so they never move or wiggle when you water at all.

There are more fancy ways of doing that..and nice looking frames..but that's the basic way.

I have one on a slab and one on a wire wall basket. I sort of prefer the wire wall basket mount.

Interesting. How do you have it in the basket? Do you have a picture you would be willing to share?

I'll get a pic tomorrow when it's light out. It's a 14" wall basket like this one.

I inherited the fern so I didn't mount it. Since you don't have a ton of fronds, you could just guide the fronds through the wire and have the shield on the inside. The new shields will just grow over the wire.

http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/2009/06/05/palmbob/c7d28c.jpg

Then you can fill the basket with coconut husk chunks, coir, and long strand sphagnum moss.

here are those pics

Awesome, thank you! That actually really helps me understand.

OK and now we wait. I sure hope he comes back! Do you think under this Carrot wood is ok? This is the south side of my yard. If he does come back do you think I could eventually add some succulents on the top?

I have mine in a much shadier area - in my pergola, which allows no more than 20% direct light.

If I were to add anything to your pot, it would probably be tillandisias, as they like to be misted, and I mist my staghorn and tillandsias about equally. Mine is in a pot like Nil's, but we planted it in the top instead of the side, and so I cannot add anything to it.

ETA: I had to edit my post - I meant to say that the roof of my pergola provides 80% coverage, and so less than 20% of direct sunlight at any one time filters through its roof. It provides so much shade that it is comfortable to sit there even on the sunniest of days at noon.

OK thank you. I moved mine back under the cover of the tree a bit more. Appreciate everyone's help!

When that Stag covers the wire like it did the coconut? At least you can flip and nail the top to a flat board. Staghorns in soucal get big and do it fast.

Succulents are not a bad idea. They do well with epiphytes.

I once saw a photo of a large Stag and they had planted Cymbidiums on top of the clump- very,very,cool look.

A buddy has bromeliads in the top of his.