Staghorn fern ( Platycerium spp . ) are frost - tender industrial plant that are epiphytic , or grow upon another plant . Staghorn fern grow affixed to the trunks of rainforest trees or in wire or wooden baskets in the garden of plant enthusiasts . These ferns ' roots are minimal and the clustering great deal of leave adhere themselves to a surface , gain rain and nutrient from junk , falling leafage litter and dead insects . coating of diluted liquid plant food or occasional sedimentation of a decompose fruit or compost is all that is ask to sustain them .
Step 1
buy a fluid fertilizer with a world-wide function nourishing formula . The product may be in limpid form or in urine - soluble quartz and must have the macronutrients of N , phosphorus and K as well as a broad regalia of micronutrients .
Step 2
flux the fertilizer at 1/4 strength as adumbrate by the merchandise directions . For example , if a dosage is unremarkably made by adding 1 tsp . fertilizer to 1 gal of water , the 1/4 forte dose is made by sum only 1/4 tsp . fertilizer to the congius of water .
Step 3
Pour or spray the plant food root upon all parts of the staghorn fern , including the mean mass of leaves as well as the lobes of fronds protruding and suspension . step in this fertiliser watering for every third lachrymation from give to late summer .
Step 4
Deposit a light dosage of ecumenical purpose , dull - release fertilizer pellets into the base of the staghorn fern each spring and later summertime if liquid feedings are too laborious . Read mathematical product recording label directions for sum to use . In general , 1/2 tsp . of granule sprinkled into a staghorn fern for every foot of clump diameter is a safe dosage guideline .
Step 5
softly sprinkle water into the staghorn fern to get the release of trace minerals from the granules onto the fern , or permit a natural rainfall or time irrigation sprinkler shower start the physical process .
Tip
Fertilize during the warmth of spring and summertime . As fern ontogeny slows in fall and winter and less watering is want , do not fertilize to coax new growth . Many mass thrash or rest a banana tree Sir Robert Peel each year into the clump of staghorn fern leaves . Although providing some nutrient , the banana peel deteriorates quickly and fails to supply a balanced , complete source of all needed nutrients .
Warning
Use guardianship if a ladder is employed to strain hanging baskets of staghorn ferns or plant growing in Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree canopies . study using a garden hose and liquid state - feed atomizer schnozzle to reach the ferns with a software of fertilizer , or merely allow falling leaf junk to accumulate in the floor of the fern naturally , eliminating most need for diligence of fertilizer .
