Staghorn fern on rock wall ?

[Really full garden]

I have a generic staghorn that I want to divide .Will they attach and grow on a volcanic rock wall?

[aussiearoids]

Yes Scott very easy,

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

They grow on wood and they grow on metal and plastic milk crates if there is some peat inside. I would guess they would grow on volcanic rock but you have to attach them first. Somehow tie them on or use construction adhesive on the back of a small one to get them stabilized.

[tropicbreeze]

If you mean Platycerium bifurcatum (the names Staghorn and Elkhorn are often mixed), in nature it's common to find them growing on rock faces. The only difficulty is getting a mature plant attached to the rock.

[Really full garden]

Thanks everyone, the wall is very rustic so there are lots of spaces to tuck in some moss.What is construction adhesive? Is that like silcone glue?

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

It is not silicone but it is a glue. You usually get it in tubes, like caulk, and apply it like caulk in a caulk gun. You could also probably get it in smaller squeeze tubes. Any construction supply place would have it.

[tropicbreeze]

I'd be careful with what's used. Some adhesives give off toxins as they cure. Best to use something like aquarium cement/glue. That's designed to not give off substances which would harm any life in an aquarium.

[aussiearoids]

If your Elk [ thats what I call this one ] is flat and a clump , just try and prop it in place and it will grip itself . Wire is often the best way to attach , as it will get covered by the shield leaves eventually.

There is a superb silver species Platycerium veitchiithat grows on rock cliffs in very hot dry areas of central Qld .

[PalmsZA]

Hi all

I agree with Aussiearoids, use wire.

I have attached a good few to face-brick walls. I normally find a crack in the brink and hammer a nail into the crack on either side of the stag and secure with wire. The shields cover over the nails and wire in a season. You can see the nail and wire in the first pic, dont seem to have a recent shot. The superbum has covered its wire and nails.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Good job, PalmsZA! Nicely done.

[virtualpalm]

I recently got a Platycerium superbum in a 4" pot that only has two small shield leaves that just barely extend past the edges of the pot. How long should I leave it in the pot before I try to mount it?

Does anyone know of a source for Platycerium veitchii here in the US?

Jody

[PalmsZA]

Thanks Jerry!

Jody: mount the superbum, pot and all! Just cut a piece out of the pot so that you can water from above. The angolense in the pic above is mounted this way.

[virtualpalm]

Wouldn't mounting a large-growing species like P. superbum with the 4" diameter pot ultimately restrict root growth? I don't want to limit the growth of the plant.

Jody

[PalmsZA]

Not at all Jody, as the plant grows it puts out new roots behind the shields, attaching itself nice and firmly.

This superbum was mounted pot and all about 3 years ago.

Also a pic of P.veitchii Aussiearoids mentioned.

[virtualpalm]

Thanks much!

Jody

[Really full garden]

I recently got a Platycerium superbum in a 4" pot that only has two small shield leaves that just barely extend past the edges of the pot. How long should I leave it in the pot before I try to mount it?

Does anyone know of a source for Platycerium veitchii here in the US?

Jody

Jody, there is one on Ebay for $35 from a grower in North Carolina.

[aussiearoids]

Mate has a nice clump on a foxtail . They grow in Carnavoran Gorge inland from Rockhampton and also up on the tablelands near here .