Orchids age:
Platycerium is a genus of epiphytic plants in the Polypodiaceae family, native to tropical and temperate regions of South America, Africa, southeast Asia, Australia, and New Guinea.
The roots and leaves grow from a short rhizome. They have two types of leaves: sterile and fertile. The sterile kidney- or shield-shaped sterile leaves adhere to the substrate and protect the rhizome and roots from damage and drying out. In some species, the upper sterile leaves form an open crown, collecting water. The fertile leaves are impressive, very decorative, most often antler-shaped, and grow or hang from the rhizome. They reach up to 150 cm in length.
Platycerium can be grown in a pot or on a mounting pad. A loose, permeable mixture is suitable for this fern. If we want to grow staghorn fern mounted, for example on peace of wood, add sphagnum moss under the root.
This fern likes moisture and intensive watering, but the substrate must dry out a bit between waterings. It likes high air humidity (it should not stand near radiators), but it does not like watering on its leaves, so we recommend watering it by immersing the pot or rootstock in water and then draining off the excess.
Staghorn ferns require a lot of diffused light. It is best to place them near an east-facing window. They will also cope in slightly darker positions, but an insufficiently lit plant will grow slowly and its leaves will stretch out excessively. Remember to move the plant away from the window before airing, because the plant is sensitive to drafts.
Pot diameter:
Plants in 5,5 cm pots
Notes:
It is sample photo, to show size and condition of offered plants
