How many species of Platycerium are there?
18 fern species
Platycerium is a genus of about 18 fern species in the polypod family, Polypodiaceae. Ferns in this genus are widely known as staghorn or elkhorn ferns due to their uniquely shaped fronds….
| Platycerium | |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Platycerium Desv. |
| Species |
How do you grow Platycerium Bifurcatum?
bifurcatum growing on tree outdoors in a tropical climate. These tropical plants need good air circulation, bright indirect light, warm temperatures, moderate humidity and consistent moisture. Staghorn ferns absorb water through their fronds as well as the roots so be sure to soak the basal fronds and the medium.
What’s the difference between a staghorn and an Elkhorn?
The difference between these two plants is the elkhorn (Platycerium bifurcatum) has thinner, wispier leaves and multiple “eyes” or rosettes of foliage whereas the staghorn (Platycerium superbum – pronounced with the emphasis on the middle syllable) has a single eye and larger leaves.
How do you care for a Platycerium Bifurcatum?
Platycerium bifurcatum – Common Staghorn Fern Care & Info Guide
- Light. Platycerium bifurcatum prefers bright, indirect light.
- Watering. Due to the hard shield leaves covering the root ball, it is best to water from below.
- Temperature. The Common Staghorn Fern thrives in normal household temperatures: between 16-24°C.
How can you tell Platycerium?
One of the keys to identifying platycerium species is in the shape and location of the spore patches. Some are located on the tips, some in the middle of the frond, and others on lobes. Some have two spore patches, others only one spore patch. Most growers tend to over water staghorn ferns.
How do you look after elkhorn ferns?
Elkhorn Fern Plant Care They do need regular watering, especially in dry conditions. A good soaking once a week during warm weather is needed, hold back a bit in cooler weather. Ensure that the plant is not allowed to dry out and keep moist.
What is an Elkhorn?
noun. : a reef-building branching coral (Acropora palmata) of shallow waters of southern Florida and the West Indies.
How do you care for elkhorn ferns?
Do elkhorns grow up or down?
As the plant matures some antler style leaves will form in the middle and cascade down. Staghorns and Elkhorns are epiphytic, which means that they grow on another plant but don’t get food, minerals or water from the host plant.
Do staghorn ferns need fertilizer?
When to Feed Staghorn Ferns They are epiphytic and gather moisture and nutrients from the air with additional sources washed into the cracks their roots have grown into. That means supplemental staghorn fern feeding is necessary for optimum health. For most plants, fertilizers are used during the active growing season.
How do you feed elkhorns?
They can be fed by placing organic matter such as leaf litter, banana skins or compost at the back of the plant (near where it meets the backing board) or watered with a very diluted dose of SeaMax Fish & Kelp. Elkhorns and staghorns may also benefit from watering during very hot, dry periods.
What does bifurcate mean on a Platycerium?
Bifurcate means to divide or fork which describes the branching shape of the fertile fronds. Generally narrow fertile fronds, upright with the ends hanging down. Tips of shields are divided into lobes which are often pointed and extend forward. Shields are usually brown during spring and summer, green shields form during the spring and summer.
What do fertile fronds of a Platycerium look like?
Fertile fronds form a long and twisted mass, with spore patches on the underside of kidney-shaped lobes. There are reports of fertile fronds being extremely wide and other reports with extremely narrow fertile fronds as shown here. P. elephantotis.
What are the fronds of a Madagascar Platycerium?
The Madagascar variety fertile fronds are characteristically wide dark green, with many hairs. When grown in high light, the shield fronds grow folds in the upper half of the shield. Normal dieing of shield fronds begins at the bud and advances toward the edges.
How long does a Netherlands Platycerium last?
Fertile fronds remain green, grow most of the year and last 2 or 3 years. Notice how the tip of the fertile frond ends turn down. This is a characteristic of the P. bifurcatum ‘Netherlands’ . Not all p. bifurcatums have this trait, it is unique to the P. bifurcatum ‘Netherlands’ cultivar.