As epiphytes, staghorn ferns naturally attach themselves to other plants, without harming their host. To enjoy them in your home though, they need some help getting started. Erin Frost shares some ideas and techniques for mounting these unusually shaped ferns.

Unlike parasites which need nourishment from their hosts, staghorn ferns can be mounted on just about anything. Traditionally, they are mounted on cedar frames, but they can also be affixed to driftwood, pieces of bark, or even rocks. For a more elaborate chandelier form, wire a group of them to four sides of an orchid basket.

Materials:

Cedar frame, orchid basket, piece of driftwood or bark
Fishing line
Sphagnum moss
4" potted staghorn Fern

Tools:

Scissors
Bucket of water

Directions:

1. Soak sphagnum moss in bucket of water until it is saturated, then wring it out. Create a bed of damp sphagnum moss on the frame or mounting surface. Remove fern from pot, spread out roots and place fern on bed of moss (on the mounting surface). Pack area around fern with more damp sphagnum moss.

2. Cut several lengths of fishing line, each about 4 feet long. Wind line through frame and around fern in criss-cross pattern securing fern to the mount. For more unusually shaped mounting surfaces be creative with your lashing, securing the fern as well as possible to the mounting surface. Hang fern in bright location with indirect light. Water as needed.

Special thanks:

www.erinfrost.com