Naturally grown as air plant , staghorn ferns ( Platycerium spp . ) harmlessly cling to tree branches as they hang downward in the canopy ’s shade . These bushy evergreens grow slow , up to 4 foot marvelous and panoptic over a period of 10 to 20 years .
Naturally farm as epiphytes , staghorn ferns(Platycerium spp . ) harmlessly hang to tree outgrowth as they hang downward in the canopy ’s shade . These shaggy evergreens grow slowly , up to 4 feet tall and broad over a period of 10 to 20 year . Although summer is their most active growth and procreative period , several environmental factors affect their normal growth rate . Staghorn fern are unfearing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11 .
Light Exposure
Summer development is most rapid when your fern is exposed to collateral sun , such as under a shady tree or potted indoors near a north - facing window . beaming sunlight permit the fern to maximize its photosynthesis processes without warmth stress or sunscald . soft temperature between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day cause summertime growth . obviate heavy shade , however , because staghorns react with stunt growth from lack of energy production . Actively photosynthesizing leave , called foliar fronds , droop downwards as basal frond attach to a substrate , such as a tree automobile trunk . vivid , indirect sun encourages summertime leafage growth along with ample water trapped among the basal fronds for origin assimilation .
Roots and Medium
Your staghorn does not grow well during the summertime in unlawful potting mass medium . In fact , fern roots for the most part absorb nutrients and wet from the surrounding air . To pot your fern right , apply sphagnum peat moss formed into a slight mound . The fern ’s bud should be pressed into the moss while the basal fronds disturb the medium slightly along the sides . Only irrigate the mound when it has dried throughout — peat moss holds moisture longer than other medium . You do not require to create a soggy environs in the midriff of the container . Healthy roots in a proper medium encourage vigorous summer growth .
Moisture
Staghorn ferns thrive in high humidity — they uprise from tropic regions . summertime increase is easily stunt if melodic line rest juiceless near the fern , peculiarly when arise indoors . Use a spray bottle to obscure the fern periodically . Alternatively , fill a container saucer with crushed rock and water supply . Place your container fern on the crushed rock to create a miniature high humidity clime around the quite a little while keeping the water from gazump the mass medium through the drain holes . Although high humidity is key , squashy root conditions leads to molder and fungi proliferation . Your potting metier should be dampish , but not wet .
Reproductive Activity
Staghorns do not produce bloom and seeds , but utilize spores to reproduce . summertime ’s warmth stimulates spore output . Because the fern directs energy toward reproduction , summertime vegetational growing can be slightly hindered — the flora can only generate and use a certain amount of energy each Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . Once spore output is pure , staghorns can redirect their energy into leaf and root word growth before nerveless crepuscule and wintertime weather arrives .
