Stag Horn
ferns, properly termed Platyceriums, are a part of this fern complex.
They are unusual in the sense that they grow semi-epiphytically, that
is, with very little soil and attached to tree trunks or branches or
some other substrate rather than growing in a soil substrate. Staghorn
Ferns are among the most exotic of all Patio-Garden plants. They come
in a variety of 18 species plus many cultivars and hybrids that are
wonderfully collectable.
Since they
don't flower and yet must still reproduce to survive, most, but not
all, reproduce by periodically producing offsets when grown in favorable
conditions. These offsets grow to maturity over a period of a year or
so which starts the process of turning the single specimen into a clump.
This process can be left to continue indefinitely over a period of years
and the clump can become enormous. However, offsets can, at any time,
be separated from the mother plant and mounted on separate plaques.
All ferns
also reproduce by spores which are the brown patches that develop periodically
on the underside of the fertile frond (leaf) tips. It is a sign of health
when they appear and, in Nature, some of these wind-blown spores grow
into mature plants over a period of years. However, they are difficult
to propagate for the homeowner. The antlerlike fertile fronds are distinctive
and attractive. Their normal way of growing up off the ground gives
them front and center visibility.
The fronds
that grow out from the base and look like antlers are called "Fertile
Fronds" and they produce the spores. The fronds that cover the
plaque at the base of the plant are called "Shield Fronds"
and they cover the root structure. They hold together the soil substrate
and also serve to catch nutrients. THESE SHIELD FRONDS GROW FROM
THE CENTER OUT, ARE GREEN FOR A SHORT PERIOD, AND THEN TURN BROWN. THIS
IS NORMAL FOR THEM TO BE BROWN AND NOT A DEFECT IN THE PLANT.
Compared
to many families and genera of plants, the genus platycerium has few
species and cultivars and availability of these remarkable plants and
information about them have been scant. This brief article will give
the reader a bit of background in order to provide one with the opportunity
to develop an interest in these special plants. Collecting them is fun
and rewarding.
Documented
Platycerium hybrids began around 1940 with Charles Cass (d. 1952) in
San Diego, California. He mixed spores of P. stemaria, P. superbum,
P. hillii, and P. bifurcatum. Cass willed his stags to Dorothy Behrends
of Encinitas, California. She then permitted Steve Talnadge of Chula
Vista to take two of each of the Cass hybrids. Talnadge named many cultivars,
most of which were forms of P. hillii. (A cultivar is a propagated plant
that develops and differs significantly in an attractive way from the
norm of the parental plants).
Cultivars
created by Steve Talnadge that are being vegetatively propagated and
offered by Rainforest Flora, Inc. as they become available include Platycerium
'Bahia', P. 'Blue Boy', P. 'Hilo', P. 'Hula Hands', P. 'Maui', P. 'Mauna
Loa', P. 'Panama', P. 'South Seas', and P. 'Talnadge'.
Robert
Oman (d. 1988) of Miami, Florida, created a number of cultivars. We
offer his cultivars, Platycerium 'Excellence', P. 'La Reunion Island',
Mickey
Carmichael, of Southern Florida, created a hybrid called Platycerium
'Mickey's Rainbow' that we have in stock. Platycerium 'Payton' was named
by Joe ? in 1964. Platycerium 'lemoinei' is one of the most striking
stags because of its white, tomentose fronds. It was first offered in
Nancy, France in 1924 by V. Lemoine and Son Nursery. It was a hybrid
between Platycerium veitchii and P. willinckii.
There are
a number of other hybrids and cultivars for which I have no information
as to their provenance at this time. We hope that, as the interest in
these special ferns increases, more knowledge about their taxonomy will
come to light and can be added to this article. If you "know something"
please contact us.
Staghorn
Fern Care
Most staghorns are easy to grow. In general, they like bright patio
light but not much, if any, direct sunlight. They don't like to be sopping
wet or bone dry for extended periods of time. Water them thoroughly
with a hose and then let them dry out. In average Southern California
conditions, they should be watered every two or three days in summer
and once a week or so in the winter. If you live in an inland valley,
adjust for the hotter, colder, and drier climactic conditions, water
more frequently. When temperatures go down into the 30's at night in
the winter put the plants under cover. They'll be fine for a few days.
Experiment.
Light:
Moderate to bright.
Water: Thorough, moist, with short dry out period.
Temp.: Moderate, between 40 and 100 degrees.
Fertilizer: Diluted Epiphyte's Delight 2x/month in warm weather.
