A good rule of thumb is to water
once per week in dry, hot times of year
, and once every two to three weeks during cooler months. Start with this schedule, and adjust as necessary depending on your space. Staghorn ferns absorb water through their fronds, as well as their roots.
Can you overwater a Staghorn Fern?
Overwatering. Since the Staghorn Fern is an epiphyte that naturally grows along tree trunks in the tropics, its roots are smaller than you might expect and are
easily overwatered
. This can lead to root rot and harm your plant. … Remove affected leaves and allow your Staghorn Fern’s soil to dry before rewatering.
Do staghorn ferns need direct sunlight?
Staghorn ferns are epiphytes, which means they are air plants. They gladly grow on a wall mount, which lets air circulate around them. They
need good-quality light, even some direct sunlight
. They need some drying of the soil or medium in between watering.
How do you water potted staghorn ferns?
Don’t water your staghorn fern until
the fronds look slightly wilted
and the potting medium feels dry to the touch. Otherwise, it’s easy to overwater, which can be deadly. Once a week is usually enough during warm weather, and much less when the weather is cool or damp.
How do I care for my Staghorn Fern?
Good staghorn fern care requires frequent watering, but allow the plant medium to dry out in between.
Fertilize them once per month with a 1:1:1 ration fertilizer diluted in water
. The plant is prone to black spot, which is a fungal disease.
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.
Are banana peels good for staghorn ferns?
ANSWER: Banana peels
can contribute lots of potassium and a little phosphorus
to the nutrient needs of your staghorn fern. But they contain very little nitrogen, which also is needed for good growth. So go ahead, toss a few banana peels among the foliage to slowly release their nutrients.
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 do you revive a dying staghorn fern?
Here’s what I would suggest. Fill the hole with sphagnum peat moss (looks like fibrous, tan moss) or homemade compost.
Add a small amount of a slow-release fertilizer
, such as Osmocote or Nutricote, into the hole as you add the moss or compost. This will provide nutrients and encourage growth.
Why is my staghorn fern turning brown?
If the antler fronds begin to brown or blacken at the base, this is
a sign of over-watering
. Reduce watering to once monthly until plant shows sign of recovery. If the antler fronds begin to brown at the tips or wilt, this is a sign of under-watering. Increase watering as needed.
Why is staghorn ferns so expensive?
Why is Staghorn Fern so expensive? Staghorn fern is
a rare plant species and they require optimal amounts of care for good growth
. They are big beautiful plants but you need to take care of their growth requirements like favourable temperature, humidity and fertilizers during the growth period.
How long does a staghorn fern live?
About once a year, we’ll do a cleaning to remove dried fronds and any decayed material. As you can see, at
about 90 years of age
, this fern is thriving and absolutely gorgeous!
What is wrong with my staghorn fern?
Problems. Staghorn ferns are fairly pest free. When kept too wet, they are
susceptible to a disease called Rhizoctonia sp
. This fungus produces black spots on the basal fronds which can spread rapidly, invade the growing point, and kill the plant.
How do you make a staghorn fern grow faster?
Radiant sunlight allows the fern to maximize its
photosynthesis
processes without heat stress or sunscald. Mild temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day stimulate summer growth. Avoid heavy shade, however, because staghorns react with stunted growth from lack of energy production.
