stahorn fern - Orchid Board

bonsai1504 · #1 06-11-2008, 12:22 PM

i have a staghorn fern that i would like to mount but the fern is like two feet in diameter and the rootball makes it stick off the board and it looks ugly when it does that. if i mount it will it grow around the rootball and hide it or do i need to do something else with it. i have also read about hanging it from a chain. how would i do that and what materials would i need.

Ross · #2 06-11-2008, 01:49 PM

I grew staghorns long ago but have studied them in the field in Florida (Sunken Gardens) where they colonize freely. My feeling is that the answer to your question is the shield leaves will naturally surround the root ball one day. Not sure how long. The "staghorns" are another type of leaf and will naturally cascade out away from the mount. These puppies can get pretty big. I've seen them in S.G. get over 4 feet across. They use chain to supend them from the branches of giant Live Oaks. If you have the conditions to grow one that large I would start with large chain right off the bat. Redoing a large staghorn might be a problem in the future when it is that large.

bonsai1504 · #3 06-11-2008, 03:26 PM

how would i put it on the chain

Ross · #4 06-11-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cullenperry

how would i put it on the chain

I have no clue. I've seen them done this way, but never by me!

bonsai1504 · #5 06-11-2008, 08:47 PM

it went into a wire basket this afternoon with some sphagnum moss. hopefuly this works!

flhiker · #6 06-11-2008, 08:56 PM

I have mine attached to my Avocado Tree.You can see how they attach them selfs. But you can get good size chain like Ross suggested and make a cradle with it. Take 2 pieces of chain and cross them at the center lay plant on cross and bring chains together at top and secure to branch. After awhile it will grow around the chains

Bird Song Farm · #7 06-12-2008, 04:34 AM

Well Dave, I just had to install a new keyboard as the coffee I was drinking when your second picture came up ruined the one I was using!
I admit, I haven't seen a LOT of staghorns, just ones on display in green houses, but yours has to be the best specimen I've ever seen. The leaves are so shiney not to mention the size. Oh, did I mention the SIZE !
How long has this monster been growing?
Al

HorseChick · #8 06-12-2008, 07:21 AM

I have three staghorns. All are hung in trees from chains.

My P. veitchii is over 50lbs and the ball has a 2' diameter.

I used two galvanized heavy duty chains of equal length and laid then cross wise on the ground. Set the fern in the center of the cross. I raise all the ends over the top center of the plant and connect them with a 250lb rated link with a screw closure.

I use another, much longer length of chain and loop it over the tree branch. The fern is then lifted and the the looped ends are put into the same screw closure.

My other hanging staghorn is a smaller P. angolense. The fertile fronds resemble elephant ears.

My last staghorn is the hard to find, P. grande. This one does better on a side mount and is very slow growing. I hung mine in a small wooden basket years ago and will be moving it to a mount later this year.

I'll post photos when I get home from work.

Bird Song Farm · #9 06-12-2008, 07:42 AM

Will be looking foreward to the pics. These are one of my favoriate ferns.........Of course, I can't grow them.

AL

flhiker · #10 06-12-2008, 10:20 AM

I got this around 10 years ago. It came from a customer I worked for (now passed). Thier's was 2 to 3 time bigger and had fallen to the ground and had me get rid of it due to the weight. I gave big pieces to everyone I know. I still have another large piece sitting on the ground. Sorry about your keyboard!