I took some pictures to bring back to you while I was in St. Pete, Florida. Below is a picture of a staghorn fern. Vern, my fiancee's father, has it, and it belonged to his brother who has been dead for 30 years. This is a baby stag fern that Vern started about three years ago. He just put nails in a board, and propped the plant in between the nails. This one is about three years old. Now and then he will place a banana peel between the board and plant, as they love potassium. They also love the morning sun, and he mists them about once per week. Just imagine . . . someday this plant will cover and surround this board also. Vern will be 81 in June, and has quite the green thumb. The staghorn fern's leaves or fronds resemble a stag elk's antlers. As they mature, they look like they are made of brown paper. Staghorn ferns are classified in the epiphyte category as they grow upon other plants, and do not need soil to root. Other examples of epiphytic plants are bromeliads, mosses, lichens, and orchids. Some insects and frogs may live their whole lives on an epiphytic plant. The staghorn does well in southern Florida, and other tropical areas where there is no danger of frost. As they mature, they look like they are made of brown paper. Below . . . are some bromeliads which are being sold at the farmer's market in downtown St. Pete. The staghorn fern's scales are used to capture water, as the bromeliad uses it's cup to do so.
Great pictures and tutorial on the Staghorn Fern. When I lived in south Fla. many, many years ago a friend of mine had one about half the size of the one in the first picture. They are amazing.
Very nice pics, and great info,, i can only dream tho..think i would have a problem in the Artic growing those.
It's such fun to see those growing outside, since they're only house plants here. Thanks for posting!
Thanks for the great information on the staghorn (loved the banana peel tip). I have one and it seems to be doing fine. I have it planted in sphagnum moss and a new baby plant is now starting to form. I've overwintered it for 2 years now, and will bring it out in an eastern exposure once our snow melts (another 2" of snow on the ground this morning and it's still coming down)!!! I keep it in my heated potting shed over the winter, and it does fine at the cool temps (we keep it heated to just 45 degrees F).
Oh Kaseylib!!! After your post, I wish I could have brought one home on the plane . . . maybe I will find one around here . . . I did bring a cutting of a jade plant home in my suitcase!!!!
I love those bromeliads and the info about the staghorn fern is great. You only brought back a jade plant cutting with you? You're slipping girl!!!!
Eileen . . . yes! (And I was terrified that the authorities would check my suitcase, and pull me out of line . . . lol . . .) Glendann: Keep us posted on how your bromeliad plant is doing . . . now I want one!!!!!
SOJ...we've got a great garden center nearby that specializes in many unusual plants, and that's where I bought my fern. It's one of my favorite stops each spring! If you're not so fortunate, you may want to check out ebay for them. I've had good luck buying unusual plants through ebay, and I know that there are several sellers with staghorns available. You might get lucky!
