There are 18 species of staghorn ferns in the genus Platycerium , which are epiphytic fern from the polypod kinfolk ( Polypodiaceae ) . They are mostly native to Africa , Australia , and Southeast Asia , and their leaves are said to look like the forked antlers of male deer or elk .
Most of the meter , “ staghorn fern ” and “ elkhorn fern ” stand for the same affair . However , elkhorn ferns are used for plants with lean fronds .
P. bifurcatum is the coinage that is mature as an ornamental industrial plant the most , probably because it is the easiest to care for . It come from the rainforest of Java , New Guinea , and southeast Australia . It does honest when the temperature stay above 40 ° F all year , so it can only be originate in very mild climates ( zones 9 and up ) or as a houseplant that can be moved outside in the summer . It has naturalise in Florida and Hawaii , where it is consider an invading species on the island . Staghorn fern make a cracking ornamental adornment for a wall indoors or seasonally outside in the Midwest . This species was given the Royal Horticulture Society ’s Award of Garden Merit in 1993 .
A matured P. bifurcatum can be as big as 3 feet across . The works acquire from short rhizomes that produce two type of fronds . The unimaginative ( not reproduce ) basal frond are the shield - shaped , imbrication , clasping , round to heart - shaped part at the theme of the fern . They are also sometimes called the back plateful . Initially dull putting surface and succulent , they become papery topaz to cinnamon - brown with age . They are pressed monotone against the tree to protect the rhizome and tufted root that grow from it and to get together all in thing that can feed the plant . The undimmed green , forked , strap - shape portion that most people would call “ leaves ” growing up from the foundation are the fertile ( generative ) or foliar fronds . These on an irregular basis lob , arc frond develop up to 18 inches long . Each frond outgrowth into two or three section a act of times along its length . In sporangia , which are the dark brownish bumps ( sori ) on the underside of the bakshis of these fertile fronds , spores are made . Each plant is actually a gang of showtime , also known as mark or pup , squish together . These offsets will keep growing raw plantlet as the rootstock fan out out and make young sterile frond .
All species of staghorn fern make both basal and foliar frond , but the prolific fronds of dissimilar coinage are very different in length , width , and number of divisions . The fertile frond may be erect or drooping . Other mintage have basal fronds that stand up straight to make a “ nest ” to catch shine constitutional matter . The shield made by the overlapping basal fronds can be round or kidney - shaped . And some species are lonely ( do n’t produce offsets ) .
As air plant , staghorn fern do not grow in soil , but sequester to trees when grow in nature . Small plant can be get in container with a fat and very well - drain medium . When grow indoors , staghorn ferns are usually grown on wooden boards or barque slab , in wire basket , or on other supports that grant for skillful drain and make it easier to deal for the plants than a living tree diagram . They also search well this way than in a container . An expanse for plants to grow is provided , commonly sphagnum or peat moss , so that the antecedent that originate from the basal frond can go . To restrain the fern in billet until it is well established , monofilament sportfishing note , wire , plastic mesh , or other fabric are envelop over and through the dead , brown shield - mold basal fronds . These should not be wrapped over the soft , green fronds , as they will be severely damaged or defeat . As newfangled basal fronds develop on top of the old I , they will hide the material that hold them together .
These tropic plants ask dependable air circulation , bright indirect light , warm temperature , moderate humidity and consistent wet . Staghorn fern pluck up water through both their farewell and root , so make trusted to fleece the fronds at the foot and the middle ones . Allow some drying of the growing culture medium in between lachrymation ; staghorn ferns rot easily if overwatered . Rainwater is best if it is available . Established plants are fairly drouth tolerant so can withstand fairly recollective periods without water . More moisture is require when growing in summer and less in cold weather . When humidity and temperature are high , they can handle more lineal sunshine , but when they ’re in verbatim light , they need more water .
These plants do best with normal household temperatures above 55ºF. If you arise staghorn ferns indoors , you may move them outside for the grow season once the nights quell consistently cold-blooded ( 40ºF ) . This will help them get used to the burnished light out of doors . Even though staghorn fern can survive temperature as low as 20ºF for a short time , it is best to bestow plants inside before the nights get too cold ( 40ºF ) . During the strong month , plants can be fertilized once a month with balanced , diluted swimming fertilizer or boring - release fertilizer pellets put in the growing medium . Providing sufficient humidity can be a challenge indoors and may require frequent misting when ambient humidity is low . If there is enough Christ Within and melody flow , a lavatory is a great place because of the humidness from the rain shower . Staghorn fern has few pests but may become infested with ordered series insects or mealybugs . The shield - influence tan or brown basal fronds should n’t be swerve off until they precipitate off course ; they help hold the plant life in place and protect it . Do not endeavor to remove the small , furred , milklike scales that give the fecund fronds a stale look ; these scale help the works ’s weewee loss . wither fertile frond can be pruned off .
Like all fern , these plant life go through two stages that come after each other : the diploid sphorophyte , which is what we call a fern , and the haploid gametophyte . The grownup flora make spores , which wrick into the gametophyte , a small trunk in the shape of a heart or kidney that is immature , only one cell thick , and does n’t have any radical , stem , or leaves . It has both manly and distaff sex variety meat but is hard to see because it is green and only one cell thick . These develop at different times to increase the hazard of cross - fecundation . lash-like spermatozoon are issue and swim to egg that are made in flaskful - mold body structure on other gametophyte . Once fertilize , a zygote is mould , which grows into a new sporophyte . The spore can be used to make more staghorn fern , but that pack a long meter . rather , they are unremarkably circulate by cut off small pups with a sharp knife and get sure that each piece has both fertile and sterile fronds and etymon . New division should be kept warm and moist until established , which may take a farseeing metre . For plant collectors , specialty growers offer a number of other species of staghorn ferns , many of which are much harder to grow than P. bifurcatum ) .
Staghorn ferns are some of the most unique and beautiful houseplant you could grow . With their antler - like fronds , they make a striking instruction in any indoor garden .
There are around 18 different staghorn fern miscellany to select from , each with their own interesting feature . In this article , we ’ll calculate at some of the most popular staghorn fern types and leave growing tips and flick to aid you distinguish them .
1. Platycerium Bifurcatum (Common Staghorn Fern)
The Platycerium Bifurcatum is in all likelihood the most well - sleep together and widely usable staghorn fern variety . It ’s sometimes shout out the common staghorn fern or elkhorn fern .
This multifariousness has two type of fronds – the basal fronds which cling to the substratum , and the tumid fecund fronds which can develop quite orotund , up to 3 feet long ! The prolific fronds are a deep green and forked at the ends , resemble antlers .
Platycerium Bifurcatum prosper in bright indirect light and gamy humidity . Water soundly once a workweek allowing the growing mass medium to dry out slightly between lachrymation .
! [ Platycerium Bifurcatum ] [ ]
Photo by Wendy Cutler via Flickr
2. Platycerium Grande (Grand Staghorn Fern)
As the name suggests , Platycerium Grande is one of the heavy staghorn fern species . Its Brobdingnagian sterile fronds can reach an impressive 4 feet long !
This variety has also been call the jumbo staghorn fern . It ’s native to contribution of Asia and Australia . The fertile fronds of this species are branched and deeply separate at the gratuity .
cater bright strain sunlight for your P. Grande and piddle 1 - 2 times per week to keep the soil lightly moist . Humidity is key for goodish growth.![Platycerium Grande ] [ ]
pic by Kristine Paulus via Flickr
3. Platycerium Veitchii (Veitch’s Staghorn Fern)
Platycerium Veitchii is another large staghorn mixed bag , named after the Veitch Nursery who first introduced it . This species has all-embracing triangular frond that can reach 18 inch across .
The basal fronds form a cascading rosette shape . The lead of the antler - like fertile frond are deeply forked , giving advance to another common name – the forked staghorn fern .
spring up Veitch ’s staghorn fern in indoor hang baskets or mount up on planks . Keep the develop medium moist but not wet.![Veitch ’s Staghorn Fern ] [ ]
4. Platycerium Hillii (Hill’s Staghorn Fern)
Platycerium Hillii is a sensational staghorn variety from Australia and New Guinea . It has broad boat paddle - shaped sterile frond and long erect rich fronds that can arrive at 18 - 24 in in duration .
The basal fronds are a muzzy brown color , while the light-green fertile fronds are profoundly split at the tips . Platycerium Hillii grows well mounted on woodwind or tree fern fibre boards .
allow bright filtered sunlight and water 1 - 2 metre weekly . Mist oftentimes to boost humidness around your Hill ’s staghorn fern.![Hill ’s Staghorn Fern ] [ ]
5. Platycerium Superbum (Superb Staghorn Fern)
One of the most unique looking staghorn fern is Platycerium Superbum . It has gigantic furry sterile frond that can traverse 6 foot or more across ! The deep unripe rich frond are recollective and slender with pointed tips .
Platycerium Superbum is best suited to out-of-door growing or a very large bright indoor space . Provide partial wraith , high humidity , and frequent lachrymation for this telling staghorn variety.![Superb Staghorn Fern ] [ ]
6. Platycerium Stemaria (Stemaria Staghorn Fern)
The magic Platycerium Stemaria has small , nigh rotary fronds that grow in a stacked formation resembling a stem . The fronds are a fresh light green gloss .
This summary staghorn fern species reaches just 8 - 12 inches improbable and all-inclusive . It does well in terrarium or climb on driftwood . Provide brilliantly separate out light and humidity . Allow to dry slightly between waterings.![Stemaria Staghorn Fern ] [ ]
7. Platycerium Andinum (Andean Staghorn Fern)
Hailing from South America , Platycerium Andinum is an exotic await staghorn fern with svelte arching fronds . The sterile basal fronds are pendant shaped while the erect fertile fronds can hit 18 inches long .
This staghorn diverseness has a inclination to form plantlet or pocket-size baby plants along the gross profit margin of the frond , allow it to promptly self - propagate . Grow in a well - enfeeble mix in smart collateral light.![Andean Staghorn Fern ] [ ]
8. Platycerium Ridleyi (Ridley’s Staghorn Fern)
Platycerium Ridleyi is a unparalleled staghorn fern with interesting blue - green food colour on the deep divided fronds . The infertile rosette grows close to the airfoil while the vertical fertile fronds can extend to 15 inches in height .
This variety is native to role of Asia and is somewhat compact , reaching just 12 inches across when in full grow . Ridley ’s staghorn fern thrives in indoor terrariums or can be mount on wood or bark.![Ridley ’s Staghorn Fern ] [ ]
9. Platycerium Elephantotis (Elephant Ear Staghorn Fern)
Just like its name suggests , Platycerium Elephantotis has massive fronds mould like elephant auricle ! The leathery uninspired frond can extend to 3 foot tenacious by 1 foot wide and have a bleary texture .
This form is aboriginal to Madagascar . The erect prolific fronds of P. Elephantotis also grow quite big . bring home the bacon very bright filtered light near a humidifier or mist frequently for serious results.![Elephant Ear Staghorn Fern ] [ ]
10. Platycerium Holttumii (Holttum’s Staghorn Fern)
Platycerium Holttumii is a rarefied staghorn fern species constitute grow by nature in parts of Malaysia . It has a very full , dense rosette of unfertile frond that can pass on 2 - 3 metrical unit full .
The burnished unripened prolific fronds are upright and deep separate into lissom lobes or fingers . Grow this staghorn variety on bark or tree diagram fern saddle horse and leave shining collateral sunlight and gamy humidity.![Holttum ’s Staghorn Fern ] [ ]
11. Platycerium Madagascariense (Madagascar Staghorn Fern)
As you may have guessed , Platycerium Madagascariense comes from the island of Madagascar . It has huge arching fronds that search almost prehistorical !
The sterile basal fronds can reach 3 feet long , while the deeply forked fertile fronds grow upwards of 2 feet improbable . Madagascar staghorn ferns need very shining light to prosper indoors.: This is another smaller species , with very wide bright fleeceable fronds 2 to 3 feet tenacious . P. andinum ( American or Blake staghorn fern ): Despite the common name , this native of the Amazon has 5 - foot - tenacious fronds that are much narrow than other mintage .
What is a crown staghorn fern ?
The Platycerium coronarium , also known as the Crown Staghorn Fern , is an epiphytic fern that hails from the tropical region of Southeast Asia . This staghorn fern specie is one of the most unequalled staghorn fern eccentric because it has a crown - alike show that set it apart from other staghorn fern varieties .
What is an African staghorn fern ?
The African Staghorn Fern , or Platycerium alcicorne , is a beautiful species of staghorn fern that is native to Africa and Madagascar . This eccentric of staghorn fern can produce up to 2 feet tall and wide , with long antler - similar fronds that give it its typical “ stag trump ” appearance .
How do staghorn ferns grow ?
Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants or objects without any soil , while sublunary plants grow in territory . This have in mind that this staghorn fern miscellanea can be grow in various ways and surround . Like other type of staghorn ferns , the Platycerium stemaria prefers shining brightness level but not direct sunlight .
