What kind of wood is best to mount a staghorn fern?

Mounting Staghorn Ferns should be done on rot resistant wood like cedar. Because of the aggressive way that they are watered, and the fact that they are so closely connected to the wood, you need something that can last long term. You'll need: Cedar board.

What do you mount a staghorn fern on?

Staghorn ferns (Platycerium bifurcatum, aka Elkhorn Fern) are epiphytes. That means that they attach themselves to trees and other things in their native habitat. So mounting them on a log, a tree, or a board rather than putting them in a pot is the most natural way to grow them.

How do you attach Staghorns to timber?

How do you water a staghorn fern on wood?

Can you mount Staghorns on treated pine?

Mount medium: Just about any wood can be used to mount the plant except the following: MDF or chipboard, painted wood, new treated pine. Weathered treated pine has leached out the salt content of the wood and is suitable for use. Treefern boards are also suitable.

Staghorn Ferns: Beautiful and Simple DIY Mounting and Care Guide

Which direction should a Staghorn face?

All directions are fine, but west-facing windows might expose the fern to too much direct afternoon sun. Staghorn ferns can't really survive with just ambient artificial light – they need to be near a window to stay healthy.

What kind of moss do you use to mount a staghorn fern?

Sphagnum moss and pine bark are regularly used as planting media. When mounted on a piece of wood, the Staghorn Fern is typically placed on the surface of the wood and sphagnum moss is mounded around the base of the plant to hold moisture around the root system.

Do staghorn ferns like to be wet?

The staghorn fern is a typical jungle plant that does appreciate plenty of humidity. If your home has very dry air it might not be happy in there. Try placing the plant in one of the more humid areas of the house, like the bathroom, or run a humidifier to keep the moisture levels up.

Should I wipe the leaves of my staghorn fern?

The shield frond helps anchor the plant in place and will also help protect the delicate root ball moist and trap water. Secondly, the white, dust-like material on the fronds is not actually dust and should not be wiped off. It helps the plant to conserve moisture as well as provide protection from strong sunlight.

Can I use sheet moss for staghorn fern?

Mounting a Staghorn Fern

You should also have some sphagnum moss, sheet moss (optional), and clear fishing line. Take some sphagnum moss, moistened slightly, enough that it will act as a base for your plant, and place it down onto the piece of wood.

Does staghorn fern like full sun?

Staghorn Ferns are epiphytic and tropical, thus requiring more light. Keep a Staghorn fern in bright, indirect light as direct sun is too harsh for the plant and can cause burns.

How do you hang a Staghorn without a tree?

thick galvanized steel chain is usually used for chained staghorn fern plants. There are a few different ways of hanging a staghorn fern with chains. Chains can be attached to wire or metal hanging baskets with 'S' hooks. Chains can be attached to the wood on wood mounted staghorn ferns.

Do banana peels help 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.

Are eggshells good for staghorn ferns?

Are eggshells good for staghorn ferns? Eggshells can provide a good source of calcium for plants!

What is the best fertilizer for staghorns?

A: You can use organic fertilizers such as diluted fish emulsion, applied every two to three weeks in spring and summer, if ferns are in containers, or monthly if grown in the garden. Kelp also is good. Or you can use small amounts of a balanced fertilizer such as an 8-8-8.

Are coffee grounds good for Staghorn?

Banana skins, coffee grounds and tea bags are excellent slow release fertilizers that you can place behind your Staghorn or Elkhorn plants.

How do you hang a heavy Staghorn?

Place a handful or two of sphagnum moss on the board and then place your plant on top. Tie your plant on with pantyhose. Pantyhose are better than microfilament or wire because it will eventually rot away and not end up cutting into the plant. Securing the staghorn fern to a wooden mount with pantyhose.

How long do you soak a staghorn fern?

For easy watering, remove your fern and its mounting from the wall (or wherever it's hung) and soak in a sink filled with water for 10 to 20 minutes, or until the roots are fully saturated. Allow to drip dry before rehanging.

Do staghorn ferns need soil?

Staghorn frens are epiphytes that need some sort of support on which to grow. As epiphytes, staghorn ferns do not grow in soil, but attach to trees when growing in nature. Small plants can be grown in containers with a rich and very well-drained medium.

Can you nail a Staghorn to a tree?

Staghorns, Elkhorns and many other Epiphytes are easy to Mount. You can attach them to trees, treeferns, posts, cork, boards, polystyrene & probably other mediums we have not yet thought of!!

Do staghorn ferns need moss?

The root ball will be quite small as Staghorn Ferns do not rely on roots to absorb moisture and nutrients, but the root ball does need to be making contact with the sphagnum moss.

How often should I soak my staghorn fern?

Staghorn ferns are often grown mounted on wood, which makes them challenging to water. It's best to give the whole plant, including the fronds, a good soaking in your sink one to two times per week, similar to an air plant.