How to Mount a Staghorn Fern: A Beginner's Guide
Do you love interior design ideas with hanging plants and green wall displays? Then you’ve come to the right place, as this guide will help you learn everything you need to know about mounting a Staghorn Fern.
Most ferns are epiphytes and the Staghorn Fern is no exception. They grow naturally on other trees, rocks, or similar surfaces in tropical forests and can absorb water and nutrients from the surrounding air. Hence, some fern varieties, like Platycerium, are suitable for mounting on the wall rather than being planted in soil like most other houseplants.
So, how do you mount a Staghorn Fern exactly?
Read on to find out how to create an attractive Staghorn Fern mount display easily at home. The process is quite straightforward to complete, and the results are amazing.
About Staghorn Fern
The Staghorn Fern, also known as Platycerium bifurcatum, is a unique fern from the Polypodiaceae family. It's found in tropical and temperate areas of South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia, where it grows on trees and other surfaces, as it’s an epiphyte. This means it takes in water and nutrients from the air and nearby surroundings, helping it thrive in the wild.
The Staghorn Fern looks simply beautiful with its lush green foliage and it has two types of fronds. The antler fronds look like the horns of a stag, while the shield fronds form a base to store water and nutrients.
Staghorn Ferns are easy to care for, too, needing only filtered sunlight, high humidity, and moderate watering every 7-10 days. Additionally, Staghorn Ferns are completely safe for pets, so they won’t harm your cats or dogs if they take a nibble.
If you're interested in other ferns that can be mounted, two great options are the Japanese Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) and the Kangaroo Fern (Microsorum diversifolium). Both of these ferns can also grow well on wood or other surfaces and add a unique touch to your home or office wall.
Should I Mount My Staghorn Fern?
Mounting a Staghorn Fern, even though it's sold in pots, is always a great idea. Being an epiphyte, it naturally grows on other plants or trees in forests. Therefore, by mounting it on a piece of wood, you’ll mimic its natural habitat, provided you meet your fern’s growing needs. As long as you take good care of it, your wall-mounted Staghorn Fern will feel happy and thriving.
What Is the Best Material to Mount a Staghorn Fern?
You can mount a Staghorn Fern on a variety of materials, such as:
- Wooden board
- Cork bark
- Fiberglass frame
- Wooden frame (with wooden cross pieces attached to the back)
- Wire basket (for outdoor mounting)
- Metal or plastic wire rack
- Driftwood
Your Staghorn Fern mounting kit will be complete with a few simple tools and supplies that you have at home.
Mounting Staghorn Fern: Tools
You’ll need the following tools and materials to mount a Staghorn Fern:
- 1 Staghorn Fern
- Any preferred mounting surface
- 5-7 small nails
- Hammer
- Scissors
- Soaked sphagnum moss
- Nylon string or thin wire
- Small sawtooth picture hangers
How to Mount a Staghorn Fern on a Board in 6 Easy Steps
Once you’re ready with the above supplies, follow the instructions below:
1. Clean the Root Ball
Take your Staghorn Fern out of its pot and use your fingers as a comb to loosen its roots gently, spreading them out so they lay flat. Get an idea of how much sphagnum moss you’ll need by placing the root ball in the middle of your preferred mounting surface with the fronds facing outward.
2. Position the Moss
Remove excess water from the moss by squeezing it between your palms. Then, place a handful of it on the mounting surface. Make sure it’s good enough to cover the fern’s root ball.
3. Add the Nails
Place a nail on each corner of the moss-covered area and hammer them in such a way as to leave just 1/4th of the nail out of the mounting surface.
4. Position the Staghorn Fern
Set the fern on the moss, making sure the root ball is spread out and rests flat against it. Position the fern so that the fertile fronds point towards the top of your mounting surface.
Finally, add some extra damp moss (after squeezing the excess water) around the base until the root ball is fully covered.
5. Tie Down the Moss
It's time to tie everything together. So, how do you anchor your Staghorn Fern?
Cut a piece of nylon string or thin wire long enough to wrap around the fern's root ball a few times. Start by tying one end to a nail, and then crisscross the string over the root ball, using the corner nails as anchors to hold it securely.
Repeat the above process until the fern and moss are tightly in place. Pull the string tight and tie the end to one of the nails. Trim it with the help of scissors.
6. Hang the Mounted Staghorn Fern
Use a couple of nails to fix a small sawtooth picture hanger on the top of the mounting surface’s backside and hang it on your home or office wall.
Congratulations! You now know how to mount a Staghorn Fern on a wall!
Mounted Staghorn Fern: Care Tips & Tricks
Take advantage of the following care tips and tricks to ensure your newly mounted Staghorn Fern is happy:
Mounting a Staghorn Fern: FAQs
Q: How often should I water my mounted Staghorn Fern?
A: Water your mounted Staghorn Fern once a week in hot weather. In the winter months, bring down this frequency to every 10-14 days. If your Staghorn Fern is growing on wood, take it to the kitchen sink, run tap water over it, and let it all drain out to prevent root rot.
Q: Should I mist my Staghorn Fern?
A: Yes! Misting your mounted Staghorn Fern every few days is a good idea, especially if there's not enough humidity in the air. It helps keep the leaves hydrated and lush.
Q: Do Staghorn Ferns like coffee?
A: Yes, Staghorn Ferns like coffee water. Used coffee grounds are a great fertilizer for plants, as they enrich the soil with essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Apply a small amount of used coffee grounds diluted in water about once a month. Don’t overdo it, as too much coffee can harm your fern.
Q: Should you remove dead leaves from staghorn?
A: Yes, remove dead leaves from your Staghorn Fern to keep it healthy and looking its best. Gently trim or pull off the dead leaves, being careful not to harm the healthy ones or the base of the plant. This will promote better growth, helping your mounted Staghorn Fern thrive.
Q: Where is the best place to put a Staghorn Fern?
A: The best place for a Staghorn Fern is a spot with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can burn its delicate leaves. A place with high (60-70%) humidity, like your kitchen or the bathroom, is also a good idea.
Conclusion
Mounting a Staghorn Fern, rather than potting it, is a great way to display these epiphytes and add some greenery to your space. With the right care and attention to its light, watering, and humidity requirements, your mounted Staghorn Fern can thrive for several years and make an eye-catching wall display.
You can explore and experiment with various Staghorn Fern mounting ideas and materials, from sleek frames made of modern materials to using natural driftwood for a more natural and rustic look.
If you enjoy wall-mounted plants, try other options, such as Bromeliads, Tillandsia Air Plants, or Peperomia Plants, to create a vibrant green display. These low-maintenance plants also grow on trees in the wild and can be easily mounted on walls, adding more life to your indoor garden.