PlantFiles Pictures: Staghorn Fern, Elkhorn Fern, Antelope Ears (Platycerium bifurcatum), 1 by revlar

revlar wrote:
delecie:
It is hanging from a large chain - about 5 feet above the ground and about 6 feet from the tree. You are lucky not having to worry about winter temperatures in your area - here we have to move this heavy plant into the greenhouse for the winter. Attaching your staghorn to a tree - I would suggest attaching it to a board then attaching the board to the tree and letting the staghorn grow onto the tree. Place a large handful of wet sphagnum moss on the board and secure it with clear fishing line - place your staghorn so that the root is in contact with the moss. Now take another handful of wet moss and cover the entire base of your staghorn leaving only the long horn shaped leaves protruding from the moss - secure this to the board wraping it very well, crisscrossing the moss with the fishing line and secure tightly. It will not look pretty at first but the new flat fronds will quickly cover the moss and fishing line. Attach the board to the tree and eventually your fern will cover the board and grow onto the tree. Keep it moist at first then the rains in southern Florida should be enough - a weak water soluable fertilizer (we use Miracle Gro) 1/4 teas. per gallon of water applied once every other month will keep it happy. Good luck and enjoy