Platycerium superbum
stag horn fern
Overview
Platycerium superbum is a large epiphytic fern that grows attached to tree trunks and branches rather than in soil, forming a single plant rather than clumps. It produces two frond types: rounded sterile nest fronds that clasp the support, growing 24-39 inches (60-100 cm) across and ageing from green to brown, and pendulous fertile fronds that hang and fork repeatedly into antler-like lobes 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) long. The fertile fronds are grey-green with a covering of white woolly hairs that reduces water loss. The nest fronds catch falling leaf litter and water, building a reservoir of organic matter behind the plant that feeds the roots. A single large brown spore patch forms in the notch below the first fork of the fertile fronds, releasing dust-like spores. Growth is slow, with a plant taking several years to reach full size. The fern is sensitive to frost and to constant wetness at the centre, which rots the nest fronds.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, in the coastal and subcoastal rainforests of Queensland and northern New South Wales. Grows as an epiphyte on rainforest trees and on rocks in humid, shaded, frost-free positions.Suggested Uses
Grown mounted on hardwood boards, slabs, or tree trunks in shaded patios, ferneries, and greenhouses, and indoors in bright, humid rooms. It needs a stable, sheltered position because a mature plant becomes heavy. In cold climates it is kept as a mounted plant moved under cover for winter.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Bloom Information
Produces no flowers. Spores ripen in a single brown patch beneath the first fork of the fertile fronds, mainly in summer and autumn, and disperse as dust on air currents.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows mounted on a board or tree in bright, indirect light out of direct midday sun, which scorches the fronds. Water by soaking the root mass once or twice a week in warm weather and less in winter, allowing it to dry between waterings, as constant moisture rots the nest fronds. The plant draws nutrients from leaf litter trapped behind the shield fronds, and a little slow-release feeding behind the shield supports growth. Temperatures below about 32F (0C) damage the fronds, so outdoor growing is limited to frost-free areas. The brown nest fronds are a normal feature and are not removed. Scale insects and mealybugs occur on the fronds in dry indoor air.Pruning
Pruning is not practised. Old fertile fronds that have fully browned can be cut at the base, while the rounded nest fronds are left in place even when brown, as they protect and feed the root mass. Removing the nest fronds exposes the roots and weakens the plant.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing