Staghorn ferns are unique epiphytic plants, known for their striking fronds that resemble deer or elk antlers. These fascinating specimens naturally grow on trees or rocks, absorbing nutrients and moisture from the air and rain rather than soil. Propagation is creating new plants from existing ones, a rewarding way to expand your collection. This article guides you through the methods of propagating these distinctive ferns.
Understanding Staghorn Fern Pups
Staghorn fern “pups,” also called offsets or plantlets, are miniature versions of the parent plant that emerge from its base or root system. These genetically identical clones develop underneath the brown, dry shield fronds, which anchor the plant and protect its root ball. As the parent fern matures, it produces these offshoots, which can grow into new, independent plants.
Propagating staghorn ferns from pups is the easiest and most common method for home gardeners due to its high success rate. A pup is ready for separation when it has developed its own distinct shield frond(s) and at least one or two small antler fronds. It should also be robust enough, at least 4 to 6 inches across, and possess its own small root system to ensure independent survival after separation.
Propagating Staghorn Ferns From Pups
Propagating staghorn ferns from pups involves careful separation and mounting. Gather your tools: a sharp, sterilized knife or serrated blade, sphagnum moss, and a suitable mounting surface like a wooden board or wire basket. Sterilizing your cutting tool with rubbing alcohol prevents pathogen introduction. The ideal time for this process is during the fern’s active growing season (spring or early summer), as the parent plant is more vigorous and recovers readily.
To separate the pup, carefully locate its attachment to the parent plant, often beneath the shield fronds. Make a decisive, clean cut between the pup and the mother plant, ensuring the pup retains substantial roots and at least one shield frond. For mounted ferns, it can be easier to take the plant down and lay it flat for better access. Avoid damaging the pup’s immature root system during this process.
Once separated, the pup is ready for mounting. If using a wooden board, soak sphagnum moss until saturated. Place the soaked moss onto the board, forming a mound, then position the pup so its basal fronds contact the moss. Secure the pup firmly to the mount using non-copper wire, fishing line, or old nylon stockings, ensuring it holds but doesn’t cause damage. The new plant’s shield fronds will eventually grow over the securing material, anchoring it in place.
For planting in a wire basket, line it with at least an inch of moistened sphagnum moss. Fill the basket with a well-draining potting mix (a blend of bark chips, sphagnum moss, and regular potting mix). Create an opening in the moss liner for the pup’s fronds to grow through, then place the pup inside, gently pulling some fronds through the edges. Add more sphagnum moss on top of the roots to secure the pup, ensuring the shield frond is level with the growing medium.
Caring for New Staghorn Ferns
Newly propagated staghorn ferns require specific care for successful establishment. After mounting or potting, initial watering is important; thoroughly soak the root ball and shield fronds, allowing excess water to drain completely. Let the base of the new fern dry out slightly between waterings to prevent oversaturation. During warmer, drier periods, water once a week. Cooler months may require less frequent watering, every one to two weeks.
Staghorn ferns thrive in bright, indirect or dappled sunlight, mimicking their natural habitat beneath a tree canopy. Avoid direct, harsh sunlight, as it can scorch delicate fronds. A location near a north-facing window or a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. Consistent, shaded light is important for their growth.
High humidity is important for these epiphytic plants, especially during establishment. Placing new ferns in naturally humid areas like a bathroom or kitchen can be beneficial. Regular misting of the fronds with room-temperature water, several times a week, helps maintain necessary humidity levels. Temperatures between 50 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit are suitable, but maintaining conditions above 55 degrees Fahrenheit is important for most species, avoiding sudden drops or drafts.
Propagating Staghorn Ferns From Spores
Propagating staghorn ferns from spores is another method, though it presents more challenges and demands more time than pup propagation. Spores are found as tiny, brownish masses on the underside of mature, antler-like fronds. To collect them, gently scrape the brownish dots off the underside of a fertile frond onto paper when they are mature, usually in summer.
The process involves preparing a sterile growing medium, such as a peat-based mix or a blend of perlite and peat moss, in a seed tray or container. Sterilizing the medium (e.g., by baking) helps prevent contamination. Sprinkle the collected spores thinly over the moist medium’s surface, without covering them. The container should be covered with plastic to maintain high humidity and placed in a bright, indirect light location. Spore germination can take three to six months, and up to a year for plants to reach a transferable size. This method is pursued by advanced enthusiasts due to its intricate nature and required patience.
Addressing Propagation Challenges
Several common issues can arise during or after staghorn fern propagation. One frequent setback is the failure of newly separated pups to establish, due to insufficient root development or improper moisture levels. Ensuring the pup has a well-formed root system and a shield frond before separation increases its chances of survival. Maintaining consistent moisture in the sphagnum moss or growing medium without waterlogging is also important, as overwatering can lead to rot.
Blackening fronds at the base indicate overwatering, while wilting or browning tips suggest the plant needs more water. Slow development or continuously small new fronds can point to inadequate light or humidity. Adjusting the plant’s location to provide brighter, indirect light and increasing ambient humidity through misting or a humidifier can help. Young plants are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and drafts, which can hinder their growth. Providing a stable, warm environment (between 50 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit) helps them establish successfully.