Comments on: Indoor Plants – The Staghorn Fern and its care.

By: Thai

Thai — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:01:12 +0000

I just purchased a stag horn fern at the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. It was packaged in a large plasitc bag and the fern looked like it was already attached to a large board, so I bought it. However when I got it home I found out that the board (very thin and light) was not attached The round flat part??? (name) is 12.5″ across and 15″ from top to bottom. What is the best thing to attach it to. I don’t want it ot be very heavy. I don’t know anything about these ferns and I could use some help understanding all the individual parts and their names so I understand what others are referring to when they talk about their ferns. What is the flat part called. It starts out small and green and then turns brown. Then there are roots underneath in the center of the flat part. I know what the fronds are, I just like to know the technical names. Thanks in advance for your help. Thai Harder

By: Denise

Denise — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:52:34 +0000

If you have a greenhouse of floral shop close by, take the plant there. They will be able to take a better look at the plant and possibly help you out. It sounds like it could be a few problems.

There was one greenhouse here that actually took in sick plants and tried to help them out.

By: Darlene

Darlene — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 04:57:49 +0000

I have a staghorn approx 30 years old that was left to us about 10 years ago. We kept it in a greenhouse the first few years and it thrived, since we have moved twice, we are in zone 6, so it must be brought indoors for the winter. Each year it has declined, this past fall I noticed scale, removed by hand (alcohol swab), and I must not have gotten them all as now the leaves have all browned and curled. In a desparate measure to save the plant, I cut off all the large leaves as all were damaged and sickly, fertilized and watered, and started to see new growth at all the shields. But now the new small fronds are falling off, dried. It seems that the ball does not hold water, I leave it in the shower to soak, its really heavy, but within a week is featherlight and very dry again. At what point is this fruitless, and if I decide to add new pups to the ball, should I treat it first to “sanitize” from old scale, etc.? I must save this plant, very sentimental. Thank you!!

By: Denise

Denise — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:26:01 +0000

I would say its stressed from colder than normal temps and being moved around for a bit.

How does the soil look? is it wettish, dry, crusty?

Ok, what I would do is place plastic over it like a mini greenhouse to control the temps better. During the say you don’t want it to hot, but at night you want to keep the temps more even.

I would place the basket on pebbles and a tray to keep more humidity around the plant.

I might cut back on water to make sure the plant isn’t overwatered and just rely on humidity around the plant for a week or so.

A lot of times if a plant has suffered stress, its best to leave it alone for a week or so, them give it a little fertilizer to get back on its feet.

I would also check the plant out well for any insects but the leaves sound more like damage from climate or water.

If you have a garden center close by you may want to take the plant there, if you know them. I get to know someone in my local garden centers or at a greenhouse just in case I have a plant care problem. They are usually very helpful.

Good luck, Denise

By: Vena

Vena — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:58:59 +0000

The plant is in a basket. I had it outdoors until we were hit with some very cold temps. I live in north florida & we were hit with almost 10 days of hard freezes. I brought it indoors off & on for little over a week. I watered it when it apeared dryed out & felt lite weighted. If that make any sense.
Thank you for your help.

By: Denise

Denise — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:43:49 +0000

Is the plant in a hanging basket or on a board? Do You have it indoors or out? and how often have you been watering it?

By: Vena

Vena — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:29:03 +0000

Help, I just received a Staghorn as a gift. I love it. However I have noticed at the end of the leaves it is starting to brown and curl up. What am I doing wrong and whats the basic care for this great plant?
Thank you
Vena

By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:11:49 +0000

Here's a link that may help. how-to-identify-whiteflies-and-plant-damage Overall you need to decide what insect is bothering your plant and use a spray to fix the problem. Brown spcks on the leaves is usually an insect problem in its just spots, and no brown leaves with curled edges.

By: Rudi Flik

Rudi Flik — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:32:09 +0000

I have a large Staghorn which I bring in every winter and hang on my bathroom wall.
I have noticed small pinhead brown scales mostly on the underside of the fern.
How do I get rid of them before the affect my other plants?

thanks

By: mal

mal — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:55:57 +0000

im in australia my mums stag horn is covered in spore at the moment how do i collect the spore and then grow new stags from this spore
Thank you mal