Platycerium
Family. Polypodiaceae.
Origin. Africa, Asia, Australia.
Description. The genus Platycerium or "staghorn" includes about 15 species of evergreen, epiphytic ferns. The rhizomes are short, creeping, with thin, thread-like roots. The fronds are large - from 60 cm to 1.5 m, green, drooping, palmately dissected, very reminiscent of deer antlers. The few sterile leaves are round, with distinct veins, fan-like, located close to the tree on which the fern grows, they are designed to collect nutrients, and turn brown with age. In nature grows on tree trunks, and very high.
Height. The fern can reach a height of 40 - 80 cm.
Caring at home
Reproduction
Often propagated by dividing large specimens when transplanting. Sometimes - by spores scattered on the surface of the earth. Reproduction by spores takes a long time, since the fern grows slowly.
Transplantation
Replanting is carried out in the spring, every 2-3 years into fresh soil.
Soil
The soil should be light and porous. A mixture of peat, fern fibers and finely chopped sphagnum moss and leaf humus is suitable. Add to this a small amount of crushed charcoal, which will prevent the soil from acidifying.
Flowering time
Doesn't bloom.
Pests and diseases
Leaves wither and fall off due to lack of moisture. Root rot occurs when there is insufficient drainage. Direct sunlight hitting the leaves can cause sunburn. If there is insufficient air movement, the fronds may rot. Sometimes leaf spotting is observed.
The most common pests are scale insects, spider mites, thrips, mealybugs, and aphids.
How to care
Platycerium is one of the most unusual ferns. Trim dead old leaves at soil level.
Temperature
The ideal temperature during the growing period is 21°C. In winter, do not expose the fern to temperatures below 13°C.
Lighting
Unlike most ferns, platycerium needs a well-lit place without direct sunlight.
Feeding
Feed monthly with liquid fertilizers with a high nitrogen content. You can apply foliar feeding by spraying a nutrient solution on the leaves.
Spraying
Representatives of the genus adapt well to a dry atmosphere, but from time to time the fronds should be sprayed or the pot should be placed on a tray with wet pebbles. It likes frequently ventilated rooms with a constant air flow.
Watering
In spring and summer, water generously until the soil is completely soaked. Before each watering, dry the soil to almost half its depth. During the dormant period, water even less often. It is very useful to periodically immerse the pot with the plant in a large container with water at room temperature for several minutes. Adult specimens have some drought resistance. For watering, use softened water at room temperature - for example, bottled, rain, melted. To reduce hardness, you can add regular baking soda to tap water - a teaspoon per 2 liters of water.
Purpose
Platycerium looks great in hanging baskets.
Note
This fern can live for a very long time in indoor culture without any particular difficulties.
Varieties:
Platycerium bifurcatum
A large, spectacular fern up to 90 cm high with 2 types of leaves - sterile basal leaves have a heart-shaped or rounded shape, 15 to 40 cm long. Sporiferous fronds are palmately separate, reaching a length of 90 cm, often covered with a whitish-gray coating. It is believed that this variety is most suitable for growing indoors.
Platycerium grande
A large evergreen, epiphytic, majestic fern, the spore-bearing fronds of which reach a length of 2 m. The sterile fronds are corrugated, bluish-green, raised upward, which allows this fern to sift out debris falling from the trees on which it grows. Spore-bearing fronds hanging, divided into several fingers.
Platycerium alcicorne
Epiphytic ferns from the island. Madagascar. At the base of the plant, rounded sterile fronds are formed, painted in a bluish-green tint. With age, sterile fronds become dry and brown and die off, and they are replaced by new, young ones. The spore-bearing leaves are glossy, broadly triangular in shape and divided into several oblong, sometimes branched fingers, as the name suggests, reminiscent of elk antlers.
Platycerium superbum
This fern also develops well at home. The rounded sterile fronds of the plant reach a length of 120 - 150 cm. The drooping spore-bearing fronds are glossy, light green, have long, often curved fingers and reach a length of 1 m.
Platycerium ridleyi
One of the most beautiful platyceriums with bright, light green fronds. Sterile leaves are distinguished by their rounded shape and well-defined, numerous, branched leaf veins. Sterile fronds are tightly pressed to tree trunks and protect the root system, periodically dry out, die and are replaced by new ones - young ones. Spore-bearing fronds with hard, rounded petioles and repeatedly branched fingers.