Mounting a staghorn fern is play and a great way to display the most prized specimens in your ingathering . In this berth , I ’ll show you step by step exactly how to do it , and give you my undecomposed baksheesh for winner .
I remember the first time I experience a mounted staghorn fern . I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever determine , and I so - very - seriously wanted to try doing it myself .
But it wait so exotic and frail , and frankly I was passing intimidated . So much so that it take me twelvemonth to finally get up the nerve to try it myself .
Two staghorn ferns mounted on different boards
Well guess what , mount a staghorn fern is actually pretty easy , and does n’t take much time at all . You only need a few supplies , and below I will show you how to do it step by measure .
Table of Contents
Benefits Of Mounting A Staghorn Fern
Staghorn ferns ( Platycerium bifurcatum , aka Elkhorn Fern ) are epiphytes . That mean that they bind themselves to tree and other thing in their native home ground .
So mounting them on a log , a tree , or a instrument panel rather than cast them in a tidy sum is the most natural way to grow them . It ’s also a really fun path to display them , and you could fall them just about anywhere .
What Do You Mount A Staghorn Fern On?
you may mount a Platycerium to just about any eccentric of support . The most popular choice are on a plaque or circuit card , on a log or driftwood , in a hang basket , or even on a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree if you dwell in a place where they are hardy .
Just be certain to choose something that is sturdy , harmonious to the size of it of the works , and wo n’t break down apace in a wet , humid environment .
They are very slow cultivator , and can abide on the same support for many years . Once they outgrow it , you may just move them to a larger one .
How To Mount A Staghorn Fern
It does n’t matter if your staghorn fern is presently in a pot , or you have a partitioning from an establish industrial plant ( with or without source ) , you could mount it . The steps are pretty much the same for both , with a couple of small-scale difference .
Supplies Needed
Before getting started , you should first gather your tools and supply . You wo n’t need many things for this project , and you might already have everything you ask on hand .
Steps For Mounting An Elkhorn Fern
Now that you ’ve gathered all of the thing you postulate , countenance ’s get started . I ’m going to use a board for my undertaking , but you may alter the steps to use any type of support you desire .
Also , this can get a little mussy , so I recommend either doing it outside or using atable top potting tray .
Step 1 : compute out the placement – select a spot on theboardwhere you require to climb up your staghorn fern , then draw a circle in that location .
Your circle does n’t have to be perfect , but it should be about twice as orotund as the diameter of the rootball or frond ( shield / pad ) division .
Step 2 : pound sign in the nail – Lay the board on a inflexible , flat surface . Then , starting at the top , tack the 6finishing nailsevenly around the diam of the circle .
Only pound the nails in about half way , leaving plenty of height to tie and wrap several layers of fishing line . They should be firmly in place so they do n’t move when you gently seek to wiggle them .
tone 3 : Open up the rootball – If you have a bare root division rather than a potted plant , then skip to maltreat 5 . To mount a potted staghorn fern , remove it from the container , leaf it upside down , and unclothe enter the bottom of the rootball to flatten it out .
Step 4 : Place the rootball on top of the board – Flip the plant back upright , and splay the open part of rootball monotonous against the top of the board , centering it inside of your dress circle .
footfall 5 : Cover the roots with moss – Pack the premoistenedsphagnumorsheet mossover the top of the rootball all around the fundament of the plant to completely wrap up the dirt and theme . Take tending not to bury the finishing nails , or any of the fronds or leaf .
For a bare radical flora , fill the core of your circle with the premoisted moss first , and then range the stamp pad / buckler on top of it . Do not bury any part of the frond , just lay it on top of the moss .
The moss can be a bite messy to act with . So or else you could cover it withburlapif you like the face of that better . Either way , entrust a monotone , small ledge or caries on the top of the spiritualist so that it can capture H2O and plume in .
Step 6 : Attach the fishing personal credit line – First , bond thefishing linein a knot around one of the nail ( I started with the bottom one , but it does n’t really matter ) , and guarantee it tightly .
Then escape the sportfishing line over the top of the moss and through the inwardness of the leaves , and twine it around a nail on the opposite side .
stair 7 : stop up everything to the board – waver the sportfishing line around the moss , through the plant life , and over the basal fronds , twine it around one of the opposite nails each time .
cover weaving from nail to smash until your elkhorn fern is completely secured to the mounting support .
The goal here is to wrap it until everything is tight to the board , and wo n’t move when you guard it up and mildly shake it . essay it every so often , and if there ’s any move , then keep wrapping .
Step 8 : Tie off and clip the end of the line – Once it ’s entirely dependable , link the fishing line tightly to one of the nails . I like to practice the bottom nail because it ’s sluttish to hide the smear where I bind it off . Then simply clip off the excess bloodline with a scissors .
How To Hang A Mounted Staghorn Fern
If you want to hang your staghorn fern after mounting it , then you ’ll need something to fall it with . I usedthick twinefor mine because it ’s more decorative , but you could use conducting wire or chain or else .
I stapled the twine to the back of my board . But if it ’s easier for you , simply exercise a few fix in the dining table , execute the twine through , and secure it on the back .
Small , lightweight stag can be hung from a nail or roll in the hay on a wall or fence ( just like a picture frame ) . But larger specimens can get very laborious . So verify to choose a place that you may safely advert it where it will be able to handle the weight .
Mounted Staghorn Fern Care Tips
Below I ’ll give you some quick tips for caring for your jump on staghorn fern . You canlearn all about how to maturate them in item here .
High Humidity
Unless you live on in the idealistic mood , the biggest struggle you ’ll have is give your mounted Platycerium enough humidness and moisture . So be certain to rank it in a very humid field where it will get rained on out of doors .
Indoors you’re able to put it in a toilet or kitchen , or run ahumidifiernearby . unconstipated misting also helps raise the wet grade in the air .
Indirect Bright Light
Outside , keep it out of the direct sunlight for best answer , particularly if you inhabit somewhere hot . But verify it come good deal of bright , indirect / filter faint indoors , or it could struggle and even get to get leggy .
How To Water A Mounted Staghorn Fern
Watering a mounted staghorn fern can be a challenge , peculiarly if it ’s pay heed somewhere up mellow , or you have it inwardly .
Outdoors is easy . you may just give it a easy spray from the hose if it has n’t rained in while . focalize the nebuliser on top of the shelf you created when you climb it .
Indoors you could take it to the sink or shower every week , or dunk it in a bucketful of water to give it a good soakage if the rootball has completely dry out .
FAQs
Do staghorn ferns need to be mounted?
No , staghorn ferns do not need to be mounted . But it is a more raw manner to uprise them , and a really cool way to expose them .
What is the best way to hang a mounted staghorn fern?
The best means to hang a jump on staghorn fern bet on how large it is . Smaller specimen can be hang on a nail using twine , rope , or solid bowed stringed instrument . But larger I are much large , and should be hung on a sturdy livelihood using a chain or other strong stuff .
Where is the best place to hang a staghorn fern?
The expert post to hang a staghorn fern is in a spot where they will get plenty of bright light , humidity , and wet , but are protect from the hot afternoon sun .
wax your staghorn fern is fun and easy , and an impressive way to show off your favorites . Simply follow these elaborate step by step instructions , and you ’ll be flow it up in no time .
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