Platycerium – staghorn fern, elkhorn fern

Out of stock

Re-stock: more than 12 weeks

$6.95

Impressive dramatic epiphyte (that's tree-dweller) that will add grandeur and a sense of history to your tropical garden. Tie a small leaf to a tree or a hanging basket, and it will grow into giant antlers. Needs shelter and protection in southern and colder zones but very easy-going in subtropical ones. Are you team stag or team elk?

Skip to the end of the images gallery

Skip to the beginning of the images gallery

Description

Platycerium bifurcatum - elkhorn fern

APPEARANCE: Epiphytic (grows in trees), with flat round leaves that hug the branches and long divided leaves that hang down and grow upwards. Large when mature. Leaves are strappy when young and develop the distinctive divided fronds as they mature.
ORIGIN : Native to QLD and NSW, as well as parts of Java and Indonesia.
USE FOR: Add drama and a sense of age to a garden. Look good planted alongside ferns and palms.
CLIMATE: Needs humidity or regular misting, and temperatures above 5C.
PLANTING: Tie it into a tree branch where it can get a little dappled light. Can be in full shade.
CARE: In dry summer weeks, give it a watering; add diluted seaweed solution every months. Reduce any watering and feeding in winter. Separate rooted plantlets from the parent plant and tie to new trees using old tights or stretchy bands. Some gardeners chuck in banana skins to feed the plant.
HEIGHT & WIDTH: 1m H x 1m W.
YOUR PLANTS: These are tubestock plants, healthy young plants with new roots that will establish quickly in your garden. The pot size is 80mm high and 42 mm wide.

Availability