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Staghorn Fern No stags were harmed in the creation of these wonderfully wacky, mounted ferns that bring an air of whimsy to any wall. Staghorn ferns, with a little love and care, will bring joy no matter what the season. Here are a few tricks to keep your staghorn in tip top shape. Photo by Kelly Moore Clark. Styling by Taylor Bennett.
plant CARE S TA G H O R N F E R N S A R E E P I P H Y T E S Though you can find young staghorn ferns sold in pots, mature plants need to be mounted to a board or hung in a hanging basket. Why? Because, like air plants or tilandsia, staghorn ferns are epiphytic plants, which means that grow on other plants or trees in their natural growing environments.Their roots hold them in place, and they arbsorb water and nutrients through their fronds. HOW MUCH LIGHT DOES IT NEED? Staghorn ferns are native to the tropics, in specific to Australia. They need bright, indirect of diffused light to thrive, though they must be protected from the harsh rays of the direct sun. WAT E R I N G YO U R S TA G H O R N F E R N Your watering regimen consists of two processes: misting and soaking. 66 NOVEMBER 2018 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM
Misting your staghorn fern: Use a spray-bottle that emits a fine, ambient mist, such as a brass mister. Mist the entire plant, focusing on the underside of the antler fronds and the shield fronds. Soaking your staghorn fern: Dunk your staghorn fern in a sink or basin of water for about a minute, or until the plant’s roots are fully saturated. Alternately, place the plaque in a sink or bathtub, and allow room-temperature water to run through the root ball until it is saturated. Allow your plant to drip dry before rehanging. F E R T I L I Z I N G YO U R S TA G H O R N F E R N Fertilizing your staghorn fern will promote vigorous growth, especially in younger plants. Feed your staghorn fern monthly during periods of active growth. Use a balanced, watersoluble fertilizer (ration of 1:1:1). During periods of dormancy (fall and winter), reduce fertilizing to every other month.