Staghorn Fern Plant Problems How To Treat A Diseased Staghorn Fern

How do you revive a staghorn fern?

Add a small amount of a slow-release fertilizer, such as Osmocote or Nutricote, into the hole as you add the moss or compost. This will provide nutrients and encourage growth. I always summer my staghorn ferns outside, and water them every few days.

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.

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 is the best fertilizer for staghorn ferns?

Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (ratio of 1:1:1). During periods of dormancy (fall and winter), reduce fertilizing to every other month. Some people suggest feeding your staghorn fern by slipping a piece of banana peel under the shield frond.

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.

Should I mist my staghorn fern?

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. Staghorn ferns should be watered when the upright plants look slightly wilted.

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.

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.

Can staghorn ferns tolerate sun?

They can tolerate more direct sunlight when humidity and temperatures are high but also require more water when in direct light. Provide staghorn ferns with warm temperatures, plentiful moisture and excellent drainage for best results. These plants do best with normal household temperatures above 55ºF.

How do you treat a scale on a staghorn fern?

Scale insects are the most common pest on a staghorn fern. Our preferred treatment is denatured alcohol applied with a fine brush or cotton swab directly to the insects on the undersides of the fronds.

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 Elkhorn Fern and staghorn fern?

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.

Why is my staghorn fern turning yellow?

Yellow fronds on a staghorn could be due to watering or humidity problems. Overwatering can cause yellowing, rotting, or mold on the plant. Low humidity or lack of watering might also gradually cause fronds to go yellow. ... Provide your staghorn ferns with filtered light or bright shade.

Are staghorn ferns easy to grow?

Growing staghorn ferns is easy. If they get low to medium light and moderate moisture, they will thrive. In fact, whether grown indoors or outside, provide moderate moisture and a humus rich medium when growing staghorn ferns. ... Staghorn ferns are usually grown mounted on a piece of wood or in a basket.

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 is my staghorn fern dropping leaves?

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.

Do Staghorns need a lot of water?

Staghorns need very little maintenance. In fact, those grown onto the trunk of a tree can usually fend for themselves and care should be taken not to over feed or overwater them. ... Elkhorns and staghorns may also benefit from watering during very hot, dry periods.

How do you feed 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.

Are staghorn ferns toxic to cats?

Staghorn ferns (Platycerium spp) which are non-toxic to both cat and dog pets, are easy to grow if you provide them the right living conditions. Typically, these unique plants will be found mounted on a wall or draping from a hanging basket.

Which way do you hang a staghorn fern?

A simple way to hang your fern from a board:

Decide which position of the plant will be the top.
Gently remove some of the soil from the root ball of the plant to create a flat base; keep more soil on the lower edge of the root ball so the plant will end up facing upward.