Platycerium, or "Staghorn," or Flathorn, is an unusual fern from the Centipede family. Due to its unusual leaf shape, it was jokingly called by people "deer horn" or "flathorn". In nature, the fern grows in the tropical forests of Africa and Eurasia. Despite the original appearance and unpretentiousness in care, for some reason, flower growers rarely cultivate Platycerium.
Description of the platitzerium
Fern Platiterium has two types of frond: spore-bearing and sterile. The latter fill the lower part of the bush, and in the fall they have a green color, and by the onset of spring they turn yellow and dry out. Sterile fronds act as the main source of nutrition for the root system, so experts categorically prohibit cutting them. To effectively fulfill their key task, spore-bearing leaf blades take a long time to ripen (about 5 years). On these fronds, white threads are visible, which perform the functions of retaining moisture and protecting from strong light.
Platizerium care at home
Location and lighting
Shaded areas are not suitable for growing Platycerium. He needs access to bright light, and the latter needs to be made diffused. The processes of spore formation and bush growth will stop if the flower stands in the shade. However, direct sunlight should also be avoided, otherwise all foliage will be covered with burns. When choosing a suitable place for the location of the "deer antler", pay attention to how wide its fronds are. If they are wide, it will need much less sunlight than a fern with narrow fronds.
Temperature
"Ploskorog" tolerates both high and low air temperatures equally well. For example, in winter, it perfectly withstands a drop in temperature down to zero degrees (provided that it does not last long). In the summer, the plant will be comfortable even at 37 degrees. But if the temperature in the room has risen even higher, you will need to water the fern more often and more abundantly than usual.
Air humidity
The plant needs fairly humid air: the optimal level is 50 percent. To achieve this level of humidity, you will often need to spray the bush with a spray bottle. Professionals even advise spraying water not on the flower itself, but around it, avoiding drops on the leaves.
Watering
Many growers water the fern too abundantly, which is why a large amount of liquid is retained in the soil. This often leads to the death of the plant. To avoid such a problem, let the soil dry in the pot, and then proceed to the next watering. Note that in the event of a shortage of water, the platiterium will stop growing and developing normally.
In spring and summer, it is best to water the Platycerium 2 times a week. In the autumn-winter period, water the flower less often, using less water for this. If you have to leave for a long time, and there is no one else to care for the plant, you need to fill a separate container with slightly damp sphagnum moss. Having done this, take the flower pot and place it in this container. A damp cloth is not suitable for cleaning the wai: it can damage the hairs that retain moisture. Use a soft brush to remove dust from leaves.
Soil preparation
In order for the Platycerium to grow normally, a slightly acidic soil mixture is required. For the soil, a certain amount of peat, sphagnum and leafy soil is taken, while a small amount of pine bark is added. The bottom of the tank will need to be laid with a rather thick drainage layer.
Transfer
The fern's root system is not large, so it does not need to be repotted frequently. The transplant should be carried out about 1 time in a couple of years. It also happens that florists use a piece of wood to grow Platycerium, not a pot. They attach moss to the wood and hammer a few nails into the proposed location of the plant. Then the "flathorn" is placed on the sphagnum and its garter is carried out to the nails, using a fishing line. The moss should not dry out, therefore it must be periodically left in a container with water. In case of strong growth of the platycerium, an additional board should be attached to a piece of wood.
Methods of reproduction of the platycerium
Offspring
Most often, the platycerium fern is propagated with the help of grown offspring. They must have at least 3 leaf plates. The offspring separated from the bush must have formed roots and a bud. You need to plant it in a pot filled with loose soil.
Disputes
This method is problematic due to the long maturation of the spores. You will need to collect spores from a grown bush that is more than 5 years old, and then sow them in a bowl filled with a disinfected and wet mixture of peat and sphagnum. After that, the container should be covered with a film and left on the windowsill, having previously protected the seedlings from direct sunlight. The soil will need to be systematically ventilated and moistened using a sprayer. The appearance of the first seedlings should be expected no earlier than 2-6 weeks after planting. The cover from the bowl can be removed only when the sprouts are well rooted and sufficient growth is achieved.
Diseases and pests
A scale insect can settle on the platycerium, affecting both the seamy and the front surface of the leaf. Aphids and spider mites do great harm to the flower.
Sometimes the fern is affected by powdery mildew. If the bush is constantly waterlogged, it can get sick with a fungal infection - if it is present, the leaf plates of the plant are covered with dark spots. Brown spots indicate sunburn. If the foliage on the "flathorn" wilted, it must be watered urgently. Lack of nutrients can be easily identified by faded fronds. In case of slow growth of the bush, it should be transplanted into a larger pot.
Types of platiterium with a photo
Now there are more than 15 species of platycerium fern. They all grow in warm regions of Africa and India. A description of the most popular of these species will be presented here.
Platycerium bifurcatum
This variety is the most popular among flower growers. Its habitat is Australia. Sterile leaf plates have a rounded shape, their width is about 10 cm.It happens that spore-bearing fronds reach a length of more than half a meter. Each of them is divided into lobes that are approximately 4 cm wide.
Platycerium grande
Australia is also the homeland of this species. The sterile leaf plate is large and reaches a width of about 60 cm.Sterile fronds may not dry out for a long time. The leaves are cut up to half and consist of long segments.
Platycerium superbum
This variety is similar to the platycerium large, so it can be difficult to distinguish between them. The difference is that the large boom has two spore areas, and the superboom has one.
Platycerium angolense
This species has a characteristic difference from its counterparts. Spore-bearing frond on it are not fingerlike, their surface has orange pubescence.
