What Are Staghorn Fern Pups Should I Remove Staghorn Pups

If you choose not to remove your staghorn fern pups, they will grow bigger and bigger and might even reach the size of the parent plant. They will also keep increasing in number. The result is a very attractive covering of fronds that can span 360 degrees in hanging baskets and 180 degrees on wall mounts.

How do you take care of a baby staghorn fern?

Be extra careful to keep staghorns out of direct sun and well-watered when hung outdoors. Bring your staghorn fern back inside when temperatures get chilly at night. Feed your staghorn fern monthly during periods of active grown (spring and summer). Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (ratio of 1:1:1).

How do you propagate a staghorn fern?

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.

How do you start a staghorn puppy?

The method is basically the same to start a pup, division, or spore transplant on a new mount. Pick out a tree or piece of wood for your plant to grow on. This will be your mount. Soak a clump of sphagnum moss and set it on the mount, then set the fern on top of the moss so the basal fronds are touching the mount.

How do you transplant a staghorn puppy?

The underside of foliar fronds of the staghorn develop a brown, scaly coating called sporangia. ...
To transplant the small pups of an established staghorn fern, gently remove them from the large fern mass, wrap the roots in damp sphagnum moss and tie the root ball into a basket or onto a piece of bark or wood.

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 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.

Are banana skins good for Staghorns?

Plant a banana peel with your staghorn. ... If you are transplanting or starting a staghorn fern on a board, place a whole banana peel between the plant and the board. This shields the peel from pests and provides the potassium when you water the plant.

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.

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.

How long does it take a staghorn fern to grow?

Naturally grown as epiphytes, staghorn ferns (Platycerium spp.) harmlessly cling to tree branches as they hang downward in the canopy's shade. These bushy evergreens grow slowly, up to 4 feet tall and wide over a period of 10 to 20 years.

What's the difference between a staghorn and an Elkhorn?

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.

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.

How do you revive a dying staghorn fern?

It is normal for a few fronds to die and be replaced from time to time, but the fern is in need of water if a significant number of its fronds begin to die. It may be possible to save the plant by placing its root ball in water for several minutes, allowing the roots to rehydrate.

When can I transplant a staghorn fern?

When to repot a staghorn fern is a common question to many but an easy one to answer. Staghorn ferns are happiest when they're slightly crowded and should only be repotted when they're nearly busting at the seams – usually once every few years. Staghorn fern repotting is best done in spring.

How do you divide a staghorn?

How to Divide a Staghorn Fern. When you're ready to divide your staghorn fern, look for an offshoot and the stem or root that connects it to the main plant. In most cases, you should be able to twist or gently pull the offshoot free, but you may need to get a knife in there to sever the attaching root.

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 poisonous to dogs?

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.

How much are staghorn ferns worth?

This is a beauty! 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.

Should you water ferns everyday?

A large fern may require watering daily, while a small fern in the bathroom - where the humidity is high - may require less frequent watering. The key is to water the fern before the soil dries, but to avoid soggy soil. This means good drainage is vital to the health of indoor ferns.

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.