I have many staghorn ferns and they are doing quite well. My question is: I have always used hard water (well water) to water and mist my plants-can they be misted with softened water? I am worried about the iron in the hard water eventually staining my walls etc.(although I try very hard to keep it only on the plants, I'm sure some of it goes elsewhere.)-I know not to water with softened water-I'm only wondering about misting.
Misting Staghorn ferns
Misting is great as these plants are really "Epiphytes"(those plants living without soil) generally they are found in the rainforests of the world(jungles, etc.), and do well to be misted! Elaine
Elaine-yes I know this and I thank you for your reply, but what I wanted to know is does it hurt to mist them with softend water(ie water that has gone through a home softening unit)vs well-or fresh water.
Jackie I can't tell you about the hard water but am glad to see you growing the ferns I grew them for years but on city water I guess you could try both ways one small one on hard water to see if it makes a difference I used rain water on most of mine most of the time They got so large I had to give them to the city I could not handle them Hang in there They are great
i use city water here-I only have one and luv him to death!
If you ever want to get rid of one-keep me n mind! Id have luved that one arptiger gave away!!! ;] Mine is medium size and i cant wait for him to grow up!!!!!!
Martha, that thing I had got to weigh about 50 lbs about 5ft wide or more. The boot on it was so big I could put about 5 gals of water in it and it woulld not leak. When I started it I put two " eyes" on a peat board one on each side and a brass rod through it to hang it with. kept it hanging under a tree all summer an in the winter would bring it in. They really get big if you can put up with them
arptiger I saw my first one in a greenhouse here-they wanted 70.00 for it! it was big but not HUGE! I found a lil one, one night at meijer for 7.99-I luv it! If you ever have another you want to adopt out-Id take him! =]
DO NOT!!!!use softened water..most water softner use Salt (chlorine) to soften the water and it will damage your plants..use rainwater or well water if you can.
I came upon what I think is a perfect solution: I buy bottled water to mist my plants with. That way I don't have to worry about the hard water leaving rust stains behind. My "stags" are thriving. I love them and am lucky enough to have quite a bit of room around our hot tub for them.
JackieO the rust stains on the back side of the fons? are not those spores? I have those on mine on all the mature fons and I watered with rain water all the time. I think those are spores and are natural
My staaghorn is almost 5 feet in diameter and I am getting ready to trim him up and get lots of pups...he'll be happier. I'm going to post his photo in photos.