Binomial nomenclature:

Platycerium elephantotis



Description:

Unlike other Platycerium species, the fronds of P. elephantotis do not fork at all, giving them a very rounded appearance. The sterile fronds are tall and arched. The fertile fronds are broad and rounded with distinctly veined surface. The single spore patch on the underside of the fertile fronds is large and round.

Size:

The fertile fronds are 24"-30". The sterile fronds are 18"-24".



Water:

Water regularly. Keep this plant evenly moist. Do not let it dry out. This species likes high humidity.



Fertilizer:

I fertilize all of my staghorn ferns with dilute (half strength) orchid fertilizer, once a month during the spring and summer. Many people put banana peels on top of their staghorn fern. I have found that this only serves to invite insects and rats to your plants, and I haven't found it to be of any benefit.

Cultivation:

This fern, prefers to be mounted on a sphagnum covered wood plaque. Propagation is by spore, or division.

Pests:

Scale and mealy bug, sometimes attack P. elephantotis. I use imidacloprid (Bayer, rose and shrub)