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Few things are as disappointing to plant lovers as having a intelligent houseplant today and the next day it ’s run low . It ’s much unsound when that plant life is a staghorn fern that produce lento to hand its impressive orotund size of it .
Also botanically known asPlatycerium bifurcatumor commonly as Elkhorn fern , this fern is an epiphyte – which means they make it and get comfortably when rise on other substratum . In nature , they grow on the bark of trees .
Besides , you’re able to originate small plants in containers as long as you provide them with a deep and well - draining media .
Staghorn fern have two distinct leaf forms — minor , two-dimensional leafage ( have sex as buckler fronds ) that get across the root ball structure and take up water and food ; and green , pronged antler fronds that emerge from the base .
Given their unusual growing characteristic , they make a pleasant gain to your plant solicitation . However , they come with challenge that if not addressed , you may fall back your intact flora .
Luckily , in today ’s post , we ’re going to discuss how to save a break down staghorn fern tight !
Let ’s begin :
How to Tell If Your Staghorn Fern is Dying
Plants have an unmistakable path of communicating when there ’s trouble . It ’s your job to keep monitoring them and picking up significant clues about their health . While some of the denotation may be natural such as the yellowing of the sure-enough leaves , others should worry you .
Here are a few indications that your staghorn fern might be break down :
Staghorn Fern Leaves Turning Brown from the Base
Anytime you acknowledge a change of color on the leaves , you should diagnose the job and take remedial measures as before long as possible .
In this case , antler fronds turning brown or black from the base is a clear meter reading of your plants die due to water suffocation or want of breeze circulation .
Antler Fronds Turning Black or Brown on the Tips
Browning or blackening of antler frond tips is just as regretful as the base . However , in this case , it may be a result of insufficient wet .
If this problem hang on without intervention , the entire fronds will turn brown , and subsequently , the works will die .
Staghorn Fern Leaves Dropping
If your Elkhorn fern is shading or dropping a few leaves once in a while , then there ’s really nothing to worry about . particularly , if those leaves are cured – it ’s a normal process where the flora replaces the senior leaves with young strong leaves .
However , if the plant are drastically dropping their leaves , it think something is wholly faulty . The most plebeian perpetrator for the drop are poor humidity and pestis infestations .
Therefore , you should inquire and take the necessary measures as we ’re going to discuss in the next part .
7 Tips on How to Save a Dying Staghorn Fern
1. Check on Your Watering
This is a no - brainer .
If you ’ve been generally working with plants , you already bang how authoritative optimal tearing is . As far as Staghorn fern are concerned , be indisputable not to overwater your plant – they rot quite well .
Since it can be hard to separate how moist or dry the planting medium is , it ’s best to wait until your fern wilt slightly before watering . Where a wilt fern will promptly recover with water , an overwatered fern will rot and drop dead .
However , if you let the works wilt for a protracted point , the tips of the fronds will begin to turn browned suggest your plant is dying . But established plants are fair drought patient of so can withstand fairly long menstruation without urine .
It ’s also significant to note that Staghorn fern absorb water through their frond as well as the roots so be certain to overcharge the basal fronds and the sensitive .
And as always , allow some drying of the uprise mass medium in between waterings .
A good linguistic rule of pollex is to water once a week during warm , dry conditions and less frequently during cool or cloudy weather .
Observing ripe watering practices is one of the best ways to redeem a dying staghorn fern anytime .
2. Fix Root and Frond Rots
As already established , overwatering will cause the roots of your fern to rot . Sometimes just the base of the fern ( basal frond ) , and not the roots , is affected by urine that does not enfeeble rapidly enough and is endure around the base of the flora .
If you notice that your staghorn plant has begun to get kitschy at the base , act quickly and you may be able-bodied to amend the job .
All you have to do is remove your plant from its pot or substrate and hold back to see the condition of the roots . If some are still white , cut away the darkened , soppy source and any molder areas at the base of the fern with a sterile tongue .
However , you should never cut out the basal frond even if it looks dead . Just allow it come out naturally and another one will sprout back .
You should also slew out any water until the plant life regain from the decomposition .
3. Change the Growing Substrate
rootage rots are not only due to supererogatory moisture in the media but a appendage ofwater moldcalledPhytophthora sppas well .
Now , once you secure the guff and narrow down on watering , the pathogen creditworthy persists in the substrate . Hence the need to change the growing substratum entirely .
Use sweet sphagnum peat moss or homemade compost . To encourage new increase , add a small amount ofslow - dismission fertilizerto the substratum before planting back your staghorn fern .
4. Invigorate the Rooting System
This is where you ’ll need to make some sacrifices for the long - term good .
Here ’s what I stand for .
Trimming off stagnant or molder roots will induce an asymmetry between the top foliage part and the rooting system . At least in the short full term .
However , you’re able to restore this remainder by trimming off aged fronds so that the plant does n’t go into shock . you’re able to also employ a bit of rooting internal secretion to trigger more root growth and micro - root hair .
If you do this successfully , your plant will get a whole new life !
5. Provide Optimum Temperature and Humidity
Staghorn fern thrives in warm temperatures attach to by medium to high humidity . Most home ’ temperature ( above 55ºF ) will be sufficient to keep your plants acquire .
Mature fern can withstand short period of time of freezing but it ’s safe to keep the temperature warm for them to survive and thrive .
Furthermore , you need to keep humidness at higher horizontal surface as they get in their native setting . To increase the humidity around your plant , try placing it in one of the more naturally humid areas of your home , such as thebathroomor kitchen .
Alternatively , you’re able to get one of ourrecommended plant humidifiersto avail raise the proportional humidness around your plants .
6. Fertilize your Staghorn Fern Appropriately
Just like human beings where nutrition determines how healthy one is , so are the plant life .
It ’s therefore important to feed your Staghorn fern during their combat-ready growing period to give them a outgrowth boost .
These ferns can benefit from the lotion of a fertilizer with a 1:1:1 ratio ; as always , be sure to come recording label instruction .
While the fern is young , fertilizer should be applied monthly during affectionate month and every other calendar month during the coolheaded months as ontogenesis slows .
Mature staghorn will thrive with a once- or twice - yearly fertilizer software .
Alternatively , you may place slow - dismission plant food pellet in the turn culture medium to allow them to apply the nutrients as they grow .
7. Control Pests and Diseases
For the better part of the year , staghorn fern are comparatively pest - free . But once in a while , they may be infested withmealybugs or scalesor both .
When that happens , your ferns will begin to drop their leaves as a event of these sap - sucking bugs .
If you supervise your plant often , you ’ll be able to eliminate them before they kill your plant . To treat the fern , utilize neem oil or any other natural antimycotic agent .
Be certain to follow all the instruction on the recording label for your safety as well as that of your plants .
Bonus: Light Quality and Quantity are Key
While staghorn ferns thrive in shaded and partially shaded areas , conditions with very low igniter are potential to encourage disease and blighter exploitation .
You should therefore keep them in a emplacement that boasts consistent , shaded light . They can also address more sun if given enough urine , warmth , and humidity . But you postulate to be deliberate with direct sunshine which can easily burn their fragile fronds .
If you want to con more about grow and wish for Staghorn ferns , you may hold outthisandthis guide .
Conclusion
One of the thing I love about plants is that they can be very forgiving if you realize your mistakes early . So , if you ’ve wondered if it ’s potential to lay aside them from their at hand death , well , you could - depending on how far the damage has been make .
The bottom line , pay close attention and take action as soon as you observe your plant in worry .
You ’ve just read several ways you’re able to carry through a dying staghorn fern !
Until next clip , happy horticulture !
