New to forum and orchids
 

Hi - I"m new to this forum. Two weeks ago I purchased a Staghorn fern. I had no idea how to take care of it - I just love how it looks. It is in "soil" in a small pot. The leaves are drooping down the side - that's how they looked when I bought it. Now they are turning brown. I have looked on line and it seems these ferns like to be outside in a tree or hanging basket. Also, it seems they don't like soil. I"m confused since I bought it like this from a nursery. Is there a way to keep this fern on my cocktail table (diffused light) and keep it healthy?:hmm

Welcome to the board. There are manny people here who can be a great help with orchids but your plant is a fern. I hope some one will offer some tips for you all i can offer is a link ot a web site that can tell you how to mount it
How to Mount a Staghorn Fern

:hello vickyrowe :waving :waving

Hi Vickyrowe! :waving
I too have a Staghorn fern but I don't know what to tell you as mine is small and new also. I lost one once because I was told not to overwater, and that they don't like sun. Someone here on OB told me that was wrong. I wish I could remember who it was to ask him myself how to grow them. They don't like direct light and they don't like to be overwet, but other than that, I am as green at it as you are. :goodluck:

A "fern" forgotten....
 

Geez...I knew it was a fern since I researched it a little - I just wasn't thinking...:_( guess you can tell I have no green thumb. Thanks to all of you for responding though.

Hi Vicky! Welcome to the board!

I have a large staghorn that usually lives in my side yard in a very shady area. No direct sunlight at all and I water it every week with my left over RO water and MSU fertilizer from the orchids...I too bought mine in a pot with potting soil. I removed it from that and dumped the dirt...it's now in a hanging metal basket (with no coconut liner) and has started growing into a perfect ball. As with orchids, the key is watering regularly, good drainage and good air circulation. Some types of these ferns can actually take colder temps as low as 35 F for at least a couple of nights. Right now mine is about 4 feet in diameter which makes it kinda difficult to get it through the doors when we have to bring it in!!!!

Hope this helps! Keep us posted!

Goodbye soil...
 

Hi Irphrog and thank you for the info! This is exactly what I"m going to do this week. Dump my soil! I bought this fern for inside but I suspect now that I need to place it outside and buy something new for my table. Since I live in Atlanta and the temps can get low, should I just hang it in my basement during the Winter.. In a window that gets medium light?:scratchhead: