Dust On A Staghorn Fern - Do Staghorn Ferns Need To Be Cleaned

Cleaning a Staghorn Fern Washing staghorn fern plants should be done carefully and should never involve wiping the fronds with a sponge or cloth. ... Instead, just mist the plant lightly with lukewarm water, then shake the plant gently to remove excess moisture. Repeat weekly to keep the plant dust-free.

Are coffee grounds good for staghorn ferns?

Up-to-date gardeners know that California's low rainfall and alkaline soil are tough on acid-loving plants. Coffee grounds act as a mulch and soil improver. ... A few staghorn owners even advocate using the entire banana, placing it into the paper-like platycerium that supports the main plant.

Do staghorn ferns like to be misted?

Staghorn ferns absorb water through their fronds, as well as their roots. This means that they respond well to misting and appreciate humid spaces. More humidity = less watering.

How often should I mist my staghorn fern?

The basal fronds are essential for meeting the water requirements for staghorn ferns. Growers often thoroughly mist the basal fronds of staghorn ferns once a week. Spray bottles may be adequate for small indoor staghorn ferns, but large outdoor plants may need to be watered with a gentle, misting hose head.

How do you take care of a staghorn fern?

Home grown ferns are generally much smaller but they can be in the family for decades. Good staghorn fern care requires frequent watering, but allow the plant medium to dry out in between. Fertilize them once per month with a 1:1:1 ration fertilizer diluted in water.

Are banana peels good for staghorn ferns?

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.

What is wrong with my staghorn fern?

Staghorn ferns are fairly pest free. When kept too wet, they are susceptible to a disease called Rhizoctonia sp. This fungus produces black spots on the basal fronds which can spread rapidly, invade the growing point, and kill the plant. If symptoms appear, withhold water and reduce the humidity to slow the spread.

Can you over water staghorn fern?

Water your Staghorn Fern so the top inch of soil is kept moist (on average, this means water weekly in the spring and summer and every few weeks in the fall and winter). Do not overwater, as the Staghorn's epiphytic nature means it has a small root system designed to grow on trees, not to be soaked in the soil.

How do you get rid of staghorn fern pups?

Wait until the pup is at least 4 inches (10 cm.) across. Find the spot under the brown shield fronds where the pup is attached and, with a sharp knife, cut the pup away with some roots attached. You can mount the pup just as you would a fully grown staghorn fern.

How long does a staghorn fern live?

About once a year, we'll do a cleaning to remove dried fronds and any decayed material. As you can see, at about 90 years of age, this fern is thriving and absolutely gorgeous!

What is the difference between staghorn and elkhorn ferns?

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 and larger leaves.

Do Staghorns like sun?

Choose a place in the garden that gets filtered sun and is protected from the afternoon sun. Choose an appropriate support for the plant. ... Feed twice a year with a half a handful of Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser by placing it directly into the centre of the fern.

How much is a staghorn fern worth?

Originally attached to an oak tree as a small plant, this amazing fern has grown to over 6 feet in diameter, almost 4 feet tall and 3 feet deep. It is in great health and is in need of a home where it will be loved and appreciated. Similar ferns have sold for over $6,000.00.

What does Epsom salt do for ferns?

Ferns – Epsom salts work wonders on ferns as a liquid fertilizer helping the leaves have a rich, deep dark green color. Elephant ear plants are another plant which benefits from the extra magnesium. Apply as a drench mixing 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts to 1 gallon of water.

How do you propagate staghorn ferns?

Staghorn fern can be propagated from the spores but because that is such a slow process they generally are propagated by division, carefully cutting off small pups with a sharp knife, making sure each piece has some fertile and sterile fronds and roots.

What do you feed staghorn ferns?

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.

Can you trim a staghorn fern?

You can trim dead and damaged foliage from the staghorn fern at any time of year. The plant doesn't require regular pruning, so there is no optimum time for a trim.

What do you feed Staghorns and elkhorns?

They can be fed by placing organic matter such as leaf litter, banana skins or compost at the back of the plant (near where it meets the backing board) or watered with a very diluted dose of SeaMax Fish & Kelp. Elkhorns and staghorns may also benefit from watering during very hot, dry periods.

What kind of soil do staghorn ferns need?

To grow staghorn ferns in baskets, begin by lining the basket with at least an inch (2.5 cm.) of moistened sphagnum moss, then fill the basket with a very well drained potting mix, such as one containing a mixture of equal parts bark chips, sphagnum moss and regular potting mix.

Why are the leaves falling off my staghorn fern?

It's shedding old leaves as a normal part of aging.

If just one or two leaves drop now and again, this is not reason to panic. Staghorn ferns do occasionally replace their old leaves with new growth, but the other leaves should still look very healthy and the roots nice and plump.

Why does my staghorn fern have brown spots?

Fuzzy brown spots that turn black indicate the staghorn fern has developed a fungal infection, most commonly rhizoctonia. Allowing the staghorn fern to dry out slightly between waterings may remedy this kind of problem. Removing infected fronds can also help prevent the fungus from spreading to healthy fronds.

What are the brown spots on my staghorn fern?

When black spots appear on the basal fronds and begin to spread toward the growing point, it's time to act fast. This is the calling card of Rhizoctonia, a fungal pest of staghorn fern. ... In the future, monitor the humidity and the plant's watering, since excessive moisture is necessary for Rhizoctonia to survive.