StagHorn Fern:

[LeftCoastAngler]

I was over at my buddies house yesterday down on the river, and he had this huge Stag out back on a oak:

Pretty Cool. I'm headin' to 'MyToyStore' to grab me a baby Stag to throw in my front yard and place in my huge oak... These take time and I hear may outlive me!

~LCA.

[LeftCoastAngler]

A couple more pics:

[pikevi]

A lovely plant, LeftCoastAngler.

Nice display and great pix.

I do have a few ferns but none are as gorgeous as this one.

I checked the 'net. And it seems truly a rare plant.

Please check this out:

http://www.sellmefree.co.nz/Main/Lis...o=60&R=2624660

Good luck.

[LeftCoastAngler]

Yeah, you should see it! It's hanging from a oak tree... He said he had to re-chain it last year... Probably twenty something years old... A real sight. 500lbs or more he says... They had to rig up some pulleys & a four-wheeler!

~LCA.

[Vivienne]

holy worm tea - that's a big stag! 500_ lbs!!!!

I saw one of these the other day at the nursery... nice healthy plant on a board slab. Almost bought it but then I had the image of one I saw at the Botanical Gardens that was twice my size.

What conditions do they like? Are they dividable?? Guess I'm off to do research!

[NancyG]

Vivienne,

They are definitely devidable. I've got one hanging from one of the palm trees in the backyard. During one of the hurricanes it fell to the bottom of the palm trees and I just sliced off a few and hung them up higher. They are doing fine now. It did take almost a year before they put out new leaves.

They are gorgeous. South Florida has probably the perfect climate for them.

NancyG

[Vivienne]

Thanks Nancy - I have a perfect spot for one in my atrium. But having read up a wee bit, I'm not so sure it would be advisable to hang from a ceiling... at least not in a few years. Then again, I could always donate it to the Botanic Garden or something. Hmmm.

[sandra]

Very cool LCA. I love this. I've seen these mounted on small pieces of oak supported by trellises. They climb and entwine really nicely. Enjoy!

[LeftCoastAngler]

Yes. I've seen them mounted aswell. There's a few different strains; I guess you would call them too... Some have broader looking horns than the others... I do believe I have the board leaved one...

Here's a lil sumthin' I found on 'em:


http://mgonline.com/stag.html

http://www.fernfactory.com/shop/mounting/treemounts.asp

http://www.denverplants.com/foliage/html/stag.htm

Geez. There's alot of more cool info out there. Just GOOGLE staghorn fern!

~LCA.

[pikevi]

I think I may get a staghorn fern at the end of this week. One of the garden centres I frequent said they can get one for me later this week or early next week. A small 6 inch pot and it will be around $30cdn.

Now I have to find the best way to mount it.

Thanks for the suggestion/recommendation, LeftCoastAngler

Now I will have to eat healthily and find other ways to prolong my life to see it grow to 500lbs.

BTW, I am sorry abouyt the URL I posted. I thought I was giving the location for a sale of Staghorn ferns ( I think it was $40USD each) and somehow it got clobbered. I am sorry about it.

[fred]

pikevi

I have one of my fathers staghorn my father used to divid them and mount on a manfern slab ( tree fern )

[pikevi]

Thanks fred. Is it huge too?

I have not got mine yet but if and when I get it I want to mount it 'into' a log. I will explain and post pictures when I get the log I want. I hope it will be in few days.

[fred]

I look forward to seeing the mount when its done

I also feed my staghorn bannana peels placed behind the dry growth

[Vivienne]

LOL - I told my youngest son (14) about this thread and the pic of the 500 lb stag. My son had been with me at the nursery when I was contemplating buying the little mounted stag. He told me he would move out if I bought a plant that big. LOL Guess he wasn't paying attention. LOL

Still not certain that it would be a good idea in an atrium, but it's got the curiousity factor all over it. $14.99 maybe 3-5 leaf growths mounted on a 6" x 8" board. How long (years) until it's not realistic to keep it in the house (ie it's pulling hooks out of the ceiling)??

[_cor]

Hi There,

There are two different common types of Platycerium

There is the elkhorn (Platycerium bifurcatum) and there is the staghorn (Platycerium superbum) and I believe that the fern in the picture is an elkhorn.

The difference between these two is the elkhorn has thinner, wispier leaves and multiple "eyes" or rosettes of foliage whereas the staghorn has a single eye and larger leaves.

Cory

[LeftCoastAngler]

Originally Posted by fred

I look forward to seeing the mount when its done

I also feed my staghorn bannana peels placed behind the dry growth

Yes. I too have heard the potassium drives 'em nuts!

~LCA.

[fred]

Quote= LeftCoastAngler] Yes. I too have heard the potassium drives 'em nuts!

Yes they love that.

I always saw my Dad feed his once a month with a bannana peel and I do the same.

I dont mind a bannana once a month either hehe

[BillC]

LCA, I guess that monster is chained up to prevent it escaping! Your friend could enter it in a record sized Elk/Stag world contest. Never seen anything like that before...wow. As Vivienne says, ' Holy worm tea '

Bill

[pikevi]

You are probably right, _cor, Thanks.

I did see a difference when I was looking for info on the 'net. But the garden centre people still referred to it as 'staghorn fern'.

But fern is a fern and a horn is a horn!!

fred & LeftCoastAngler: wouldn't the peel become 'mushy' and messy on the plant? I eat lots of bananas . I never thought that banana peels have high concentration of potassium.

I will try and feed them with dried banana peel.

[fred]

pikevi

I place the peel behind the old growth just on top of the roots I have never had a peel go mushy yet

I only place one at a time and replace the peel after it has dried up to almost nothing.

[LeftCoastAngler]

Originally Posted by BillC

LCA, I guess that monster is chained up to prevent it escaping!

It's heavy brutha... Thick nylon braided rope would have been the other option... The chain will eventually be covered with Fronds, or shield Fronds... I'm not sure what the term is... Another year and that chain won't be seen... The fronds look cool when its all symetrical... And stacked on each-other...

~LCA.

[Lucinda Brown]

Boy,I'm jealous,mine is a fairly new acquired one that I 'mounted' sort of- on what I refer to as my volcano.It's a piece of wood that looks like a volcano hollow in the middle and all,cool looking piece of wood the orchid I originally planted in the hole wasn't happy so got moved back into a pot.Guess it wasn't enough air to the roots.I'm jealous because I'd like to be able to grow them and some orchids outside year around but gets too cold here.WOW! That's a fern!For anybody interested in growing one of these staghorns,they love it mounted and I water it good about every 2 days,I found everyday to be a tad much for it.It loves my volcano!

[LeftCoastAngler]

I wouldn't be surprised that they'd grow indoors in a indirect light situation. Pretty much where you'd keep your orchids... Having a mount on the wall could be a interesting piece on a bare wall... Fer Sure on a pool deck...

~LCA.

[LeftCoastAngler]

...until it got too big; that is....

~LCA.

[PhalPal]

I have two staghorns growing outside and they grow like weeds. One I have mounted on the outside of a moss basket, the other is actually planted in a pot with flowers and other tropicals around it. They are so easy and forgiving I just love 'em.
LCA - I have never seen one that huge; it is gorgeous! My plants are smaller but have much bigger 'horns'; they look like moose ears! I bought them both in a 4" pot for $3.99 each, and they did not take long to take off. I will post pics when my batteries get recharged. (the cameras, not mine...)

[Vivienne]

How fast do they grow? Are we talking, unable to maintain in the atrium in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years?

[PhalPal]

Vivienne- I have the Staghorn type, and from little 4" pots to about two feet across took two years?? The footprint of the plant is about 8" across; it is the size of the horns that make it appear so big. I have one on my front porch in a pot and it is growing about twice as fast as the other one mounted to a moss pot in a warmer, sunnier location. I think you would have a good five years with it. Trouble is, once it got that big and beautiful could you really give it up?

[Vivienne]

PhalPhal - that's a good point... giving it up. I know there are plans mulling about to start a Botanical Garden here in Colorado Springs, but don't know what the time-frame for that is. I was considering donating the plant when it got to that size... but would I be able to. Hmmm.

[pikevi]

Lucinda Brown: May be it is time for me to say "great minds think alike"

I found the log I wanted and I was planning to do exactly what you did... make a large hole in the middle and drill a few (4-5) small holes at the bottom for drainage ,plant the fern in it and place the entire thing on a stand for now. I have to find a place to hang it in winter.

I tried to make a hole in the middle on this fairly large log (40cm in diameter/16 ") today but it was very tough. Will try again tomorrow and day after and so on

[PhalPal]

pikevi- since your log is going to be tough to carve out a hole, have you thought about sitting it on top with some sprag moss and securing all of it to the top? I had a much smaller fern but I used fishing line and sprag packed on top of the exposed roots and 'mounted' it onto the side of a moss basket. Within a few months it was self attached and no longer needed any assistance from me or my fishing line. I put flowering plants in the basket, the fern keeps getting bigger and it looks really beautiful. Just a thought!

[pikevi]

PhalPal: I am sure it will be the most sensible thing to do. The centre of the log (xylem) was so tough I could not even make a dent in it.

That thought crossed my mind but I will try other means to 'dig' a hole as I planned originally. If I am not successful by Friday, I will do just that.

Thany you very much for the suggestion.

[LeftCoastAngler]

Originally Posted by pikevi

...The centre of the log (xylem) was so tough I could not even make a dent in it.

Are you using a wood 'paddle bit'?

~LCA.

[pikevi]

Yes, LeftCoastAngler. I did not know the name of the bit until today though

I used 1" one.

It was so difficult and I also used a chain-saw (the tip) to cut through. I am glad I still have all my fingers. It was jumping all over when I used the tip.

I got it done today. And I also made a few drain holes (4 of them) for the water to come out.

[palito]

nice thread

I attached a baby staghorn to a tree in the patio, just to see if it will survive the winter here. I hope it can tolerate some light freezing.

[PhalPal]

palito- we got down to the high 20's last winter for several days in a row (overnight) and mine did fine. One was sheltered on a porch, the other was not. There was not a lot of moisture (ie rain) so I don't know if this would entail freezing?? I was very surprised they did so well in less then tropical conditions.

[PhalPal]

Good job pikevi!! I am very happy to know you still have possession of all your original body parts!

[pikevi]

Thanks, PhalPal.

[LeftCoastAngler]

Yes. Looks promising pikevi...

~LCA.

[pikevi]

Thanks, LeftCoastAngler.

I hope I will get the plant today.

I like huge plants, however impractical it may be to keep them inside. I would not mind to even have a Sequoia tree inside the home

I am so happy that you suggested this fern. Checked on the net and it IS very impressive!. I will dedicate this one to you.

I will post photos of the plant before and after mounting.

[palito]

Originally Posted by PhalPal

palito- we got down to the high 20's last winter for several days in a row (overnight) and mine did fine. One was sheltered on a porch, the other was not. There was not a lot of moisture (ie rain) so I don't know if this would entail freezing?? I was very surprised they did so well in less then tropical conditions.

thanks PhalPal.

my guess is that it can survive since that's the lowest temp we get here as well for a few days. Maybe I will try covering with newspapers if it looks like there is ice developing on it. I also plan on attaching a laelia anceps to another tree, IF I can find one lol.

[pikevi]

I have mounted the elkhorn fern.

It came in a 6' pot and seems very healthy and unbruised.

[Vivienne]

Awesome job pikevi! Job well done!

[LeftCoastAngler]

Nice Mount.
I'm not sure they'll like direct sunlight like those Plumies... Or was that just for the lighting for a photo? May want to research that... All the stags I see around here are under tree canopy shade... That being the broader one, it may enjoy full sun...

~LCA.

[pikevi]

I made a mistake last evening. It was under the evening sun, bright but not too intense. It was right after potting.

Last night I brought it inside. (it was 10C ).

You are right : I did some reading and they do not like direct sun.

I have to find a a good place under the fruit trees this weekend.

Thanks for reminding it.

[PhalPal]

Just a few shots of my staghorn on my front porch in a pot with dirt. This one is in heavy shade, no sun, direct light. Only about two years old at the most and I bought it in a very small 4" pot. it has grown quite fast as you can see!
pikevi- your log and fern look great! What are you going to do with it in the winter? I have NO idea how to garden with winter to contend with and I really am curious.

[pikevi]

Thanks, PhalPal.

Yours looks gorgeous. And a nice looking queen of thorns too.

I am undecided as what I should do with it this fall. I am vacillating between hanging it from the ceiling and mounting it on a wooden pedestal. The log is a bit heavy so I am leaning towards mounting it on a pedestal. That also gives me the luxury of moving it around. I could do pretty much anything in the basement- all my bookshelves , computers, aquariums and plants.But any other part of the house I have to get an OK from someone higher up: as fred would say!

I like to keep it in the kitchen, but I know that idea will be shot down

I will update the thread when I decide which way I will go.

[LeftCoastAngler]

Nice PhalPal. GoodGrowin's!

~LCA.

[pikevi]

While looking around for some plants( especially nepenthes) I found a few Staghorn ferns (as opposed to Elkhorn ferns). It was a very pleasant surprise.

I don't know if I am willing to through the pain of drilling a large hole on another log but I an willing to try another method of mounting it!!

I am attaching the photo of it.

[pikevi]

I just finished mounting the staghorn fern, the first one is , I gather, an elkhorn fern.

It was a lot easier this time

[LeftCoastAngler]

Mine's lookin' better:

[PhalPal]

Your ferns are looking beautiful pikevi. Ya know, I think I have an elkhorn fern. I bought it very small when it was just one round leaf and I didnt know what it was. It is in the left pot in my pics above. I love to mix plants in pots; it was tropical and cute so I bought it. Tropicals love my front porch and it makes for a very nice entry.
LCA - I can't help but admire the tree your fern is in. Not many old trees in coastal so california unless it is a palm. Gotta go up north or to our local mountains for them. I really envy you having such a beautiful 'fern holder' in your backyard!

[LeftCoastAngler]

Originally Posted by PhalPal

LCA - I can't help but admire the tree your fern is in. Not many old trees in coastal so california unless it is a palm. Gotta go up north or to our local mountains for them. I really envy you having such a beautiful 'fern holder' in your backyard!

Thanks so much for your kind words PP... SWFL offers lotsa live oak covered properties... A piece of history; if you ask me... Getcha some before it's all taken by developers...

~LCA.

[pikevi]

The fern seems to be in excellent shape. I hope mine does half as well as yours, leftcoastangler!

A great mount. Is it very heavy already?

[LeftCoastAngler]

No, not heavy. It's only a month old or so... Maybe two LB's right now at the most... It'll be several years before she gains any weight!

~LCA.

[pikevi]

Thanks leftCoastAngler.

I think my log(s) is(are) very heavy. I am looking at ways to position them when I bring them indoors this fall.

I never think about the logistics of winter care when I buy the plants

[PhalPal]

I never think about the logistics of winter care when I buy the plants
I think that is so funny!! My first thought when I saw your log: "Wow, really cool." My second thought: What the hell is he going to do with that in winter?"
Spoken like a born and breed San Diego Girl

[PhalPal]

LCA - You are so right about old trees being living history. If only they could talk; the stories they could tell!

[LeftCoastAngler]

Got me some of this to feed the stag:

It's NPK is 1-1-16 We'll see how it likes it.

Kinda like powdered bannanas! Made in Canada BTW.

~LCA.

[pikevi]

LOL, PhalPal.

At least you let your brain rule the heart: I often let the heart rule the brain

BTW, I think you have some sequoia trees which are , perhaps , thousands of years old.

LeftCoastAngler: fred mentioned that they like high potassium(K) and that he throws in a few banana peels . I have been doing that to the two of them. I will see if I can get the fertilizer you mentioned.

Thanks for the info.

[PhalPal]

Ahhhh, those Sequoia forests are amazing. Talk about trees that could tell stories! We also have the oldest trees in the world, Bristlecone pines, that are up to 4,700 years old living, and some dead ones over 7,000 years old. Such a shame that when people think of California all that comes to mind is Los Angeles. What I love most about living here are the mountains, national forests and National Parks. Not to mention a beautiful coast line to boot!
Still, there is nothing like an old southern oak with spanish moss hanging from it's branches.

[pikevi]

Thanks PhalPal.

I think you also have trees in the mojave desert that are older than 10,000 years.

That means they had had survived the last ice-age

And we can cut them down with chainsaws in minutes

[LeftCoastAngler]

Originally Posted by LeftCoastAngler

Mine's lookin' better:

NO PUN INTENDED. I just reread it today, and noticed I should have placed the word too after better... ...Sorry

~LCA.

[exponential]

Here is a pic of one of the two Staghorns under the trellis at my parents' house. These things love those bananas; they've probably quadrupled in the two years they've had them.

I second your comment Phalpal. For anyone who gets a chance to visit California, or even those natives that never make it out, pay a visit the many spectacular natural wonders which are home to California; they are the definition of "awesome." Sequoia NP, Redwood NP, and Yosemite are on my favorites list.

[pikevi]

LeftCoastAngler: Your statement without the 'too' is fine and true. But it is very nice of you to be this polite

Nice plant, exponential. What is it mounted on?

I see some browning on the leaves in the photo posted by exponential. And I have seen similar 'drying out' in some staghorns I saw in the stores as well. Is it normal? Is it OK to cut the browned area(s) out if it happens?

[LeftCoastAngler]

WOW. I love the fronds! I can't wait for my metal cage to be covered with those... Hiding the basket underneath the frond will make it's look improve! (mine, that is...)

~LCA.

[exponential]

It's just mounted on a regular ply board measuring 2'x2', I think. It was recommended to mount on as large a board as possible, because it will eventually envelope the entire surface.

As for the brown tips; just the under sides of some of the tips have a brown velvety covering, which are the spores. The top of the tips are actually green.

[ddizzy70]

i was taken by this fern when i saw it...i had never seen or heard of one before.i bought one and have had it about 2 weeks now...but its starting to droop and brown on the leaves.its possible i over watered it...so what should i do now?stop watering of course,but is it going to die?

[LeftCoastAngler]

Originally Posted by ddizzy70

i was taken by this fern when i saw it...i had never seen or heard of one before.i bought one and have had it about 2 weeks now...but its starting to droop and brown on the leaves.its possible i over watered it...so what should i do now?stop watering of course,but is it going to die?

This could be true, come to think of it, I rarely water mine... And were in somewhat of a drought here in SWFL... I'd cut back on the watering, and throw a banana peel or two in there!

~LCA.

[NancyG]

Give it time...

I mounted a couple a year ago and it did take them awhile to perk up. Don't overwater. I gave mine a sprinkler a day but I live in hot, hot and more hot S Florida.

ddizzy70, you might want to update your info in the upper right hand corner so we know where you live.

NancyG

[jerrymeola]

I had never seen this thread. That is interesting since I raise Staghorn ferns. I have about 4 types most often and about 8 that are readily available here.

Someone said they were rare - do you need 10,000. They are very common and even the scarcer types cost only a fraction of the prices that are mentioned here.

I had never heard the term Elkhart applied to bifucatum. It is always been Staghorn here in Florida. Actually all the types use the term Staghorn.

Bifucatum is the most common and easiest to grow, helleri is a very broad leaf type that is typical Florida. Lemonii is like bifucatum with a silver side when you turn the leaf over.

Vivienne there is no fear of ripping you roof out. My wife has one for 7 years and it is still only 4-5 pounds. 40-50 years for a good growth.

But if you think that baby 500 pounder was big, well I have a photo in an old Florida book and several guys were joking when the photo was taken - as if they were trying to get it in the car. The fern was a good 20% larger than the Volkswagen they came with. It could not even mount on the roof.

[ddizzy70]

thanks for the reply,i am worried about the way its looking.it seemed to be thriving when i got it.would it be advisable to trim back the browning on the leaves ? or just let it try to recover by itself?

[ddizzy70]

when you say throw a banana peel in there,where exactly do i put it?just behind the moss or under the main base?

[jerrymeola]

it is common for Staghorn to sulk when first purchased and it can take some time to recover. Fortunately even thought they look poor they seldom die.

Put the banana peel (or whole banana) anywhere near the roots. Under the main bas is OK if you are disturbing the plant too much. It will soak in when you water.

[ddizzy70]

i am going to pick up some bananas today and see if that helps.what about trimming the browned leaves?and there is like a white film on the leaves as well..mold maybe?can i clean it off ? will it do any good?

[NancyG]

Can you post a picture? The brown under the leaves is natural and is nothing to worry about.

NancyG