Grow
Staghorns & Elkhorns
Staghorns and elkhorns are some of the most amazing-looking plants yet, despite their exotic appearance, they’re relatively easy to grow. The reason they look so different to most other plants is that they’e evolved to survive in the treetops. Stags and elks are epiphytic, which means they grow high up in the rainforest canopy.
Stags and elks have minimal root systems (just enough to anchor them to the tree) but they’re well adapted to catch leaves, debris and rainwater falling from above. Unlike most other plants, which absorb water and nutrients through their roots, these ferns can only survive if they capture sufficient quantities of moisture and nutrients from the surrounding air.
So how do we grow them in the garden? Well, success depends on re-creating the conditions these plants enjoy in the wild:
Postion
The best position is light shade with occasional patches of sunlight. Although they’ll cope with light frosts, the plants need good protection in cold areas.
Drainage
Good drainage is essential and easy to maintain if the plants are attached to a suitable backing board made of long-lasting material. Although the ferns may grow on living trees in the rainforest this may be detrimental to the tree, so it’s best to attach them to an inert backing.
Supports can be made of wood, recycled rubber or an existing tree stump. Tie the fern onto the backing with a soft tie made out of something like a strip of nylon stocking. If the elk or stag becomes very weighty, it’s best to support it from beneath with some sturdy wire threaded through an old piece of plastic hose. This will stop the wire cutting into the soft tissue of the fern.
Fertilising
Feed gently. Stags and elks have minimal nutrient requirements. After all, they usually exist on little more than the rotting leaves they’ve managed to collect. Don’t overdo it: half a handful of gentle, organic Dynamic Lifter pellets will be enough for an established fern. Re-apply twice a year. If you’d prefer to use something non-smelly, apply half-strength Thrive Soluble Plant Food every few weeks throughout the growing season.
Pests & Diseases
Happy staghorns and elkhorns are usually relatively free of pests and diseases but they are often attacked by scale insects. Treat sap-sucking scale insects by applying, low toxic, systemic Confidor. Spray thoroughly over the leaf surfaces and saturate the stored organic matter. Use scissors to trim untidy leaves.
Don’t worry about large brown felty patches that develop beneath the fronds: these are the spores, the dust-like particles that represent the reproductive stage of these exotic plants.
Comments (9)
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This area is for general comments from the Yates Garden Club community. Questions posted here will not receive a reply from Yates. For specific gardening advice visit Ask an Expert
Veronica
Yates site member
10:04, 13 September 2009
Our stags look like something in eating holes from the inside. What can we do to save it?
donna
Yates site member
09:43, 18 September 2009
how can i store stags in the winter in alabama. i have a place under the house .but iam afraid this is to dark .or will thay be better in the house. please let me know.thank you donna johnston
Laurelle
Yates site member
10:55, 23 February 2010
I have a large staghorn, we keep it outside under the pagola. But lately the ants have been nesting in it, i can`t seem to get rid of them n not sure what to use to get rid of them, can u please help me so i don`t lose it.. thank you..
Tony
Yates site member
08:31, 28 March 2010
We have a very large Elk and would like to sell it off. It sits on aplastic chair, wich it has consumed, under our pergola area in the garden. It has it's main core with up to 10 more growing of that. We would like to sell it as it is rather large and has no place anymore for our landscaping arrangements.
Sharon
Yates site member
07:56, 17 June 2010
Hello, I have a staghorn growing in a hanging pot and want to grow it upright on a board with the lest stress. What type of timber is best. Which country are staghorns native to.
Margaret
Yates site member
13:32, 27 August 2010
Is it true that sags and elks will feed off banana peelngs? If so, how often do I give my staga banana skin? Does it need to be watered? I was told that you can feed it sugared water.Is this true? Thank you.
alanna
Yates site member
20:42, 04 September 2010
i have found that giving these plants banana peals or tea bags have helped my plants, they love them.
MELANIE
Yates site member
16:29, 16 September 2010
I HAVE JUST HOSED OFF ALL THE FELTY BROWN STUFF UNDERNEATH THE TWO LARGE ELK LIKE HORN HANGING FROM THE FRONT OF A VERY LARGE ELKHORN AS THE TOP PART LOOKED WAS SPOTTY AND LOOKED DISEASED. THEE AREAS ARE NOW CRUMPLING HOW DOES THIS ACTUALLY GROW INTO SOMETHING NEW?? sHOULD I CUT OUT THE NOW SICK LOOKING PARTS??
Rebecca
Yates site member
11:06, 18 February 2011
Our stags look like something in eating holes from the inside. What can we do to save it?
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