Elkhorn ferns Platycerium bifurcatum

Recently I wrote a blog post about my attempt at growing staghorn ferns (Platycerium superbum) from spores, and being a little perplexed about what to do with them as they got larger but were still too tiny to mount.  In that post I also mentioned elkhorn ferns (Platycerium bifurcatum), and that I would also like to grow one of them again some day. 

As luck would have it, I was recently given a few elkhorn pups.  These were not mounted, and had a little damage, but it is really nice to get them.  

These elkhorn ferns ranged in size from relatively small to quite large, and were all somewhat damaged by the time I got them.  I wasn't expecting them, did not have anything to mount them to, and had to look around my yard for something suitable.  I found an old plank of wood, and mounted the smallest four elkhorns to it.  

I think this is two elkhorn plants

Another elkhorn, not attached very well

This one is struggling

I think I mounted this sideways (due to its shape)

One looks like two plants crowded together,  I am not planning to divide them.   I will let them grow together like this.  

One looks good, it is small but looks like it is ready to put on some growth.  It was heavier than the others so I also used some string to hold it to the plank. 

One is struggling badly, I think it may have lost a lot of its roots.  I am not certain that this will survive, but there is a chance it might.

One of them was a weird shape, I think I may have mounted it sideways.  I hope I have not doomed it and it can grow from this orientation.  

It is still early days but the plants look like they could all survive.  I initially soaked them in water, then put damp coco peat behind them to keep the roots moist.  I plan to leave these for now, and do nothing other than water them and maybe spray with water.  

Once they have settled in I may try to fertilise them and get some growth out of them before the end of summer.  The winters here are a bit harsh for them, so I want them to be as large and strong  possible before winter.  Given it is only December, they still have months to grow before the weather begins to cool.

I used to grow an elkhorn that I fertilised by sprinkling used tea leaves behind the shield, which seemed to work well.  I am told by knowledgeable growers who know a lot more than I do that this is not the best option as it can attract insect pests.  They say it is better to use weak fertiliser and add what sounds like chicken manure in pelleted form.  It is still early, so I haven't decided what I will do.  I may try a few different things and see what works best for me. 

Elkhorns mounted to plank in my fern corner (that needs cleaning)

I had planned on cutting the wooden plank into sections, one for each fern, and hanging each in a different location.  I think I will leave them as they are for now.  Once they have grown a bit and maybe overwintered here, I will then decide what to do with them longer term, but for now I like the look of them all attached to a wooden plank.  

I may attach a hook or rope or something to this so I can hang it up somewhere, but for now I lean it against the wall in my fern corner next to a bird nest fern that is over 20 years old, and some maidenhair ferns that I have had for around 9 years.  While I need to sweep this corner and clean it out a little, it seems to be a good spot for growing ferns. 

Elkhorn ferns next to my bird nest fern

As well as those smaller elkhorn ferns that I mounted on the plank, I also got a larger elkhorn fern.  I haven't mounted it properly.  I temporarily put it on a piece of timber using string.  String won't work long term for something this size, I need to do something else.  String will do for now, and will keep the plant alive until I find something better to secure it with. 

This larger plant was banged up, and has a lot of damage, but it looks strong.  It is also quite large.  Normally elkhorn ferns stay relatively small as they divide and grow a lot of pups, but this one is larger than most I have seen.  

Elkhorn fern - Platycerium bifurcatum

At some stage I will attach the larger elkhorn to the board a bit better.  I may trim some of the damaged fronds, or I may leave them until it grow replacement fronds.  I am not sure where to grow this one.  For now it is in my greenhouse where it gets some shade and high humidity.  I am keeping it there until I attach it to the board properly, otherwise I worry that it may fall off in the next wind.  

I like elkhorn ferns and I am excited to watch these things grow.  Elkhorns are more hardy than staghorns, and they survive a lot more poor treatment.  If I look after them they should all grow, or at least some should grow, and hopefully they will produce pups in time.  

At this stage I am not selling elkhorn ferns, or staghorn ferns, but this may change in the future if my plants do ok.  If I do ever elkhorns or staghorns for sale they will be listed on my for sale page.