Platicerium, or, as it is also called, “deer antlers”, is not very popular with flower growers, because this plant does not belong to the category of unpretentious. And only experienced growers can grow it. But if you make an effort and provide proper care for the fern, then it will become an adornment of a collection of home flowers.
Types of platicerium
In the natural environment, there are 18 species of this plant, but only such varieties of platicerium are grown at home:
- Angolan. Differs in whole spore-bearing leaves of a triangular shape, up to 40 cm wide. They are expanded to the upper edge, which has notches and orange pubescence.
- Platicerium big. This large plant is found in the forests of Asia and Australia. The fern has leaves dissected at the ends, which reach up to 60 cm in width. Spore-bearing wedge-shaped fronds grow up to 2 meters in length.
- Hill's Platicerium. Outwardly, it resembles a large platicerium, but with more fragile and gracefulleaves. Its straight fronds are not deeply cut, and individual segments are pointed at the tips.
All these species deserve attention, but still the most popular variety of platicerium "deer antlers". It is described in detail below.
Description
Platicerium, or antler fern, belongs to the centipede family. This large epiphytic plant is found in the tropical rainforests of Australia. It is distinguished by the presence of two types of wai: sterile and spore-bearing. The first, a bit like cabbage leaves, round and wide, tightly wrap around the trunk of the tree, which the plant clings to. They form a cap with a diameter of up to 1 meter, covering the root system. Over time, the remains of fallen leaves, insect corpses and other debris accumulate in it, which serves as a kind of nutrient substrate for the fern.
Large spore-bearing fronds emerge from the center of the cap, reaching a length of up to two meters. They are distinguished by a special curved shape, in fact, for which the plant received the second name "deer antlers". It will not work to see how the platicerium blooms. This fern does not release buds and reproduces, like all representatives of its species, by spores.
Home care
Platicerium is a plant that can hardly be called unpretentious. And in order to grow it at home, it will take a lot of effort and recreate an environment close to natural. Fern care is worthfollowing agrotechnical activities:
- regular watering;
- periodic feeding;
- transplant;
- disease and pest prevention.
In addition to making the plant feel comfortable, it needs to create a certain humidity and maintain the optimum temperature and lighting in the room. These growing rules are detailed below.
Lighting
Platicerium "deer antlers" is a photophilous plant, but direct sunlight is contraindicated for it, because from them the leaves of the culture get a severe burn and fade. Therefore, for growing ferns, choose the east or west side of the room. The plant will also take root in the north, but here it will need additional lighting with a phytolamp.
If you plan to grow fern exclusively in artificial light, then keep in mind that the light level should reach at least 4300 lux. And the length of the day should be at least 10 hours a day.
Temperature
Deer antler fern is a very heat-loving plant. And all year round it is desirable to maintain the temperature in the room within + 20 … + 25 ° C. The plant calmly tolerates heat even at +28 ° C, but practically does not survive the cold. Therefore, the room temperature must not be allowed to drop below +15 °C. And it is best to move the fern to a warm winter garden for the cold season, where it will receive enough heat and light.
Humidity
Deer fernhorn lives in tropical rainforests, respectively, the dry conditions of an ordinary apartment do not suit him. And in order to recreate the natural environment, it is advisable to put a special humidifier next to the pot. If you do not have such a device, then at least place the flowerpot with the plant on a pallet filled with wet expanded clay or pebbles. But make sure that the water does not reach the drainage hole, otherwise the fern roots will “suffocate”. Better yet, hang the plant above the aquarium.
Also, do not forget to regularly spray the leaves of platicerium with a spray bottle. But use warm and always filtered water for this. Otherwise, the leaf scales will become clogged with tiny particles, which will adversely affect the he alth of the fern.
Note that the surface of the plant is covered with velvety hairs that trap moisture from the air. And in order not to damage them, never wipe the fern leaves with a damp cloth. And if their surface is covered with dust, then remove the dirt with abundant spraying. Or use a soft bristle brush.
Boarding rules
Deer antler fern is desirable to grow on blocks, in plastic pots with slots, hanging baskets or wide clay pots-bowls. When planting this plant, keep in mind that over time, its sterile fronds will completely stick around the planting container, which will block access to the roots. Therefore, choose larger flowerpots to provide enough space for the development and growth of the plant.
IfIf you plan to plant the fern in a pot or hanging basket, then prepare a slightly acidic loose soil consisting of small pieces of bark, sphagnum moss and coarse peat. Be sure to add some charcoal to this mixture to prevent rot from developing. If you don’t want to fool around with the components, then get a ready-made substrate for the fern, designed for orchids.
If you plan to grow a plant on blocks, then create a thick "pillow" of coarse-grained peat and sphagnum moss around the root system. And then tie it to a vertical block, such as a large piece of pine bark or a plastic trellis. As it grows, the lower leaves will tightly wrap around the structure, and the plant will be securely anchored.
Irrigation
Platicerium "deer antlers" is a moisture-loving plant that needs regular watering. The fern does not tolerate drying out of the soil, but stagnation of moisture at the roots is contraindicated for it. Therefore, watering should be treated responsibly. Moisten the soil as soon as its top layer dries. If sterile leaves have blocked access to the roots and you cannot assess the condition of the substrate, then it is better to skip watering and irrigate when the fronds of the plants are slightly wilted and wilted.
In any case, moisten the plant only with soft, filtered and settled water at room temperature. In addition, experienced flower growers recommend using the bottom watering method, when the pot or block is lowered into a container of water and left for 20-30 minutes. Yes, you will give the opportunityfern to nourish the amount of moisture that he needs. After watering, do not rush to put the flowerpot in its usual place, but wait a few minutes for the excess liquid to escape.
Feeding
Deer antler fern responds well to fertilizing. Therefore, it is advisable to fertilize the plant at least once a month. Carry out this event after watering and use specialized preparations for ferns as top dressing. But give platicerium only half the dose that is indicated on the package. In addition, experienced flower growers recommend using banana peel or boiled tea leaves to feed the plant, which must be placed under the dome formed by sterile leaves.
Transfer
This event can be held only for young plants. But adult specimens are strongly not recommended to be transplanted, because as they grow, their sterile leaves tightly cover the pot, because of which they can be easily damaged during the procedure. In addition, the event affects the decorative appearance of the fern. After all, even if you manage to carefully separate the leaves from the flowerpot, then after transplantation they will no longer create a membrane dome that is pressed against the surface. Therefore, the platicerium is transplanted only in extreme cases.
Nevertheless, it is desirable to change the bottom layer of soil, getting to it from the bottom of the flowerpot. To do this, even during planting, you need to make several slots in the bottom of the pot or basket.
How to propagate the antler plant
Propagate this moodyplant is almost impossible. At home, even in the presence of a warm winter garden, the platicerium rarely releases spores. Nevertheless, some flower growers manage to get basal buds, from which rosettes of leaves are then formed. These babies are later used for breeding, planting them in separate pots.
If your fern has released a similar bud, then do not rush to separate it, but wait until it gives roots. And only then transplant it into a separate pot. Keep the baby under a plastic hood at first to keep the conditions moist.
If you managed to get spores, then sow them in moist soil, consisting of peat and sphagnum. Before doing this, be sure to disinfect the substrate. To do this, hold it over steam or bake it in the oven. After sowing, cover the container with glass or polyethylene and place in a warm place with diffused lighting. Ventilate the planting regularly and spray the soil with warm water from a spray bottle.
Spores can germinate from two to six weeks. Keep young seedlings further under glass and do not forget to moisten them. When the plants are strong enough, transplant them into individual containers.
Diseases and pests
Deer-horned platycerium gets sick only with improper care. In most cases, flower growers face the following problems:
- Fronds of the fern turn pale and become lethargic. So the plant signals an excess of light. Move the pot to a shady spot andthe fern will recover. In addition, the leaves may turn pale due to a lack of nutrients. In this case, feed the plant.
- Dark dry spots appeared on the vayeh. Such injuries are caused by burns. Don't forget that the Platycerium does not tolerate direct sunlight.
- The edges of the wai started to dry out. A similar phenomenon occurs when the fern is grown in a room with too dry air. Place a humidifier or water container next to the plant, and be sure to mist the leaves regularly with warm water from a spray bottle.
From the pests of the fern, scale insects, spider mites and thrips annoy. At the first sign of parasites, treat the plant with a systemic insecticide, such as Aktelik or Fitoverm. And if your pet was attacked by scale insects, then in addition to treatment with drugs, you will have to remove the pests manually. To do this, use a cotton swab dipped in an alcohol solution.
