Platycerium is a flower with deer antlers. Deer antlers flower - a stylish interior touch Deer antlers flower formation

– genus of ferns belonging to the family Centipedes. Very common in tropical forests of the Old World.

Did you know?The Latin name of the plant platyceros comes from the Greek words platos - wide and keros - horn; literally means "doe", which refers to the shape of the fern, which bears a resemblance to the antlers of a deer.

Platycerium: description of indoor fern

Indoor flower deer antlers is a large epiphytic plant with a branched rhizome, its aerial roots are located in the zone upper leaves and under rhizome scales. Platycerium leaves are sterile and spore-bearing, and also differ morphologically. The sterile leaves are wide, rounded and sessile, tightly adjacent to the trunk and branches of the host tree with a free upper edge, which forms a niche, which receives sediment and humus from the fern leaves that die.

Humus accumulates over time and can serve as a substrate for the roots of the plant; with age, the weight can reach about 100 kg. The spore-bearing leaves are flat in shape, on short petioles, with dense skin, erect or drooping, giving the impression that the flower looks like antlers. Sporangia are responsible for photosynthesis and reproduction; they are not collected in sori, but are simply scattered on the apical part of the leaves, giving the lower part a red tint.

Types of Platycerium

Platycerium fern grows in the tropical forests of Central Africa, about 20 plant species are found there, but in room conditions 4 species are grown.

Platycerium Angolanis. Characterized by triangular, entire, spore-bearing leaves up to 40 cm wide, widened towards the upper edge, which is pubescent orange and there are jagged marks on it. Sterile leaves are slightly bent at the edges and are whole.

Did you know? Platycerium Angolan destroys gaseous carbohydrates and purifies the air in the apartment.

Platycerium large is a large plant native to Australia and tropical Asia. Its sterile leaves are quite wide, up to 60 cm, and dissected at the ends. Spore-bearing plants are wedge-shaped, half of the leaf is cut into belt-shaped stripes. They can reach up to 2 m in length.

Platycerium bifurcated, or Platycerium staghorn, It grows in nature in Australia. Most popular among indoor species Platycerium. Its lower sterile leaves are round, convex and dissected, and the upper spore-bearing leaves are no longer than 70 cm, gray-green in color, wedge-shaped at the base, but widen towards the upper part.

Platycerium Hilla- outwardly resembles the previous look, but more elegant and fragile. Its leaves are shallowly dissected, straight, individual segments are pointed at the ends. Very similar to the previous type, but more miniature. The homeland of Platycerium Hill is the Australian tropics.

Features of growing home fern

It is worth choosing a western window for the fern, optimal temperature and humidity.

Choosing a location: what should be the lighting, temperature and humidity

The home flower antlers grows best in light, but shaded from direct sunlight. sun rays places. The sun is very dangerous for the leaves, it can cause burns and seriously harm the platycerium. If there is not enough light, you need to additionally illuminate with a lamp. The temperature in the apartment should be maintained at +20-25 °C in summer, and +20-22 °C in winter; temperatures below +15 °C are harmful to platycerium and can cause its death.

Platycerium tolerates apartment dryness very poorly. To ensure proper care, it is better to place the platicerium flower on a tray with expanded clay or hang it above the aquarium. The plant needs very high humidity; it should be sprayed with warm boiled or purified water. Spraying with running water is prohibited due to the fact that the smallest leaf scales on the surface can become clogged, which can harm the platycerium.

Important!It is also impossible to wipe dust from the leaves with a sponge or rag, so as not to mechanically damage the velvety hairs that trap moisture; this requires more abundant spraying.

In what soil is platycerium planted?

Platycerium grows well in substrates that include peat, leaf and coniferous soil, and crushed sphagnum in proportions 2:2:2:1. You can try a composition of peat, chopped sphagnum and chopped fern rhizomes mixed in a 1:1:1 ratio, and bromeliad mixtures made from crushed tree bark, sphagnum and fern rhizomes in a ratio of 2:2:1. The platicerium flower includes in its care such requirements as the moisture capacity of the soil mixture and its breathable properties.

Planting and propagation of platicerium (deer antlers) at home

Platycerium is capricious, and caring for it at home takes a lot of effort. Platycerium is often grown in hanging baskets or on pieces of tree bark. When choosing the second option, the plant is secured to the bark with wire, and a little earth is poured under the lower leaves. Platycerium increases in growth, and so does the gap between the bark and leaves, so soil should be added, but there is no need to remove the dried lower leaves, they benefit the fern. In the case when the platicerium is planted in a pot, it is necessary to add an expanded clay layer to 1/3 to maintain soil moisture and protect the roots from rotting if they are flooded with excessive amounts of water.

Like most ferns, the staghorn flower reproduces with the help of spores, which germinate only in a bright place, and the shoot develops normally only in a humid environment, and therefore the spore crops must be kept under a transparent cap. It also reproduces by shoots (they are separated from the adult plant and planted in separate pots filled with pebbles and moss) and by division (the young plant is divided and planted in different containers)

Proper care- the key to good fern development.

Watering

The staghorn flower needs regular watering, and it is worth knowing how to properly care for it. Water for irrigation should be room temperature and filtered. The watering itself is plentiful, but you should wait until it dries out upper layer soil. The basket with the platicerium is immersed in a container of water, after the flower is saturated with moisture, it is taken out of the water and left without watering for several days. If the fern is grown in a regular flowerpot, make sure that moisture does not accumulate in the tray to prevent the roots from rotting from the flood.

Top dressing

Deer antlers, like a capricious flower, require constant feeding and care. Fertilizer is produced once a month when watered with special fertilizers for ferns, using ½ of the concentration specified in the instructions. Some gardeners advise placing scalded tea leaves or pieces of banana peel under the dome, which is formed by sterile leaves.

Platycerium transplant

We replant platycerium only when necessary. During this operation, there is a risk of damage to the sterile leaves, and even if it is possible to separate them carefully, after the transplantation process they will not be able to form an elegant membrane dome, closely adhering to the surface. The substrate can be replaced by reaching the roots, using the slots located in the lower part, which are made on the eve of planting.

The flower called staghorn is properly called Platycerium and is a fern. Deer antlers, it was named for the whimsicality of its leaves, they really resemble horns.

Flower growers love the flower for its unpretentious maintenance and decorative properties, which are due to the bright greenery of the plant. The fleshy light green leaves of Platicerium, covered with a light waxy coating, are heavily dissected. Let's talk about how to properly care for this plant at home.

Has leaves (vai) of two types: sterile and spore-bearing. Sterile fronds form a funnel in which nutrients accumulate over time. They can be dead parts of the plant itself, seeds and leaves of other plants that have fallen into the platycerium funnel.

Indoor flower Deer Antlers

Spore-bearing fronds can be erect or drooping. They are reminiscent of deer antlers. There is no color on the plant, because ferns do not bloom.

Fern care

Humidity and watering

Platicerium, like all ferns, loves abundant watering and high humidity.

It should be remembered that the flower cannot be watered with running water. Water for irrigation must be warm enough and must be settled or boiled.

With all the love for high humidity, you should also ensure that moisture does not accumulate in the pan. Overwatering can lead to rotting of the root system and to death in general. He really likes frequent spraying in the summer. Spraying is also carried out with pre-purified or boiled water.

It is necessary to water 1-2 days after the top layer of soil in the pot has dried.. Often novice gardeners are too zealous with watering.

Platycerium requires very high humidity; it should be sprayed with warm boiled or purified water

In winter, water less frequently, about once every 10 days.. Spraying in winter period It's better not to produce it. If the room is dry, you can place a wide container of water next to the fern.

The flower cannot be wiped. Its leaves are covered with small hairs that absorb oxygen from the air. Wiping the plant with a sponge or rag can easily damage them, which will lead to death.

Temperature and lighting

Deer antlers prefer diffused lighting and a fairly high room temperature. Does not tolerate direct sunlight. It is best to place the flower on an east or west window.

Optimum temperature from +20 to +25°C. But the flower can easily tolerate temperature fluctuations. In summer it can easily withstand higher temperatures up to +32°C, and in winter it can exist at temperatures from +12-14°C. In winter, a phytolamp can be used to create sufficient illumination.

It should be borne in mind that the plant does not tolerate drafts.

Soil and fertilizers for flowers

Soil composition for optimal growth and development of Platicerium:

sand 1 part;
leaf soil 1 part;
peat 2 parts
mixture of moss and fine pine bark 1 part

Platycerium grows well in substrates that include peat, leaf and coniferous soil, crushed sphagnum in proportions 2:2:2:1

Excellent for Deer Antlers, ready-made mixture for orchids. You can buy it at a flower shop.

Fertilize every month with complex fertilizer for ferns. Experienced gardeners It is recommended to use half the dose indicated in the instructions. There is no need to apply fertilizer in autumn and winter.

Diseases and pests

Deer antlers, the flower is quite resistant to diseases and pests. More often it starts to hurt from improper care.

The leaves have lost their elasticity and become lighter in color. Most likely suffers from exposure to direct sunlight. The plant should be shaded. On sunburn Platycerium reacts by the appearance of dark spots on the leaves.
The leaves began to dry. This is how the flower reacts to lack of moisture.
The leaves began to fade. Excessive watering is to blame.
Shchitovka. These pests must be manually removed or washed off. It should be remembered that you should not wipe the leaves of deer antlers, so as not to damage the hairs that cover the leaves.

Indoor Platycerium is susceptible to scale insects, and caring for it is complicated by the fact that it must be removed manually

Spider mite. If affected by this pest, it is necessary to treat with an insecticide.
If there is excess humidity in high temperature conditions, Platycerium can strike powdery mildew . With this disease, it is necessary to treat the leaves with a fungicide.

When processing drugs, it is necessary to use protective gloves. It is advisable to carry out the treatment outdoors.

Features of care in summer and winter

Platycerium does not have a pronounced dormant period. From October to February the flower should be allowed to rest. With sufficient lighting, the temperature for the flower in winter is +15-17°C. During this period, the plant is not fertilized or sprayed with water. Watering should be reduced, but the earthen clod should not be allowed to dry out completely.

In summer, watering is increased. You can moisten the plant by immersing the container with Platicerium in water for a few seconds.

Reproduction methods

Disputes

This propagation method is practically not used in home floriculture, since it is very labor-intensive and often does not produce results.

The spores, which are located at the ends of the spore-bearing fronds on the underside, must be collected and dried. The spores are then placed on the surface of the soil. There is no need to cover them with soil. You should systematically moisten the soil and cover the top of the container with glass or film.

The first leaves of the Staghorn fern when propagated by spores will appear in 2 months

To develop into adult plants, spores need plenty of sunlight and high humidity.

Offspring

This method of reproduction is much simpler. Periodically, young shoots appear on an adult fern. You should wait until the roots have developed sufficiently and carefully separate the young shoot. It should be placed in prepared soil. Complete rooting of the offspring occurs in 2-3 weeks. The appearance of new leaves is a sure sign that the plant has taken root.

Dividing the bush

The easiest way to propagate Staghorn fern is by dividing the bush when replanting.

When transplanting, you can propagate the plant by dividing the adult flower. It is necessary to ensure that when dividing both parts of the plant retain the roots and fronds of both types. Otherwise, the plant will die.

Transfer

It is necessary to replant the flower no more than once every 4 years. The plant is carefully placed in a new container at a shallow depth. When transplanting, care must be taken not to damage the sterile fronds and roots.. When transplanting into a new container, do not forget about drainage.

Useful properties of deer horns

Deer antlers perfectly purify indoor air. They saturate the surrounding air with phytoncides, which have a beneficial effect on humans. Besides, Deer antlers actively absorb hydrocarbon compounds from the air.. For example, they perfectly clean the indoor air from gasoline vapors and automobile exhaust gases coming from the street. This ability of the flower is becoming very popular, thanks to the increased number of cars on the streets of our cities.

Difficulties in growing

Platiceriums are grown hanging or on pieces of bark, stumps, in wooden or plastic baskets, in pots

Beginning gardeners sometimes have difficulty watering and propagating deer antlers. Besides, experienced flower lovers advise placing deer antlers in a suspended state. After all, this is exactly how it exists in its natural environment. To do this, you can use a small log in the recess of which is filled with moss and a flower is fixed. A piece of bark can be used for the same purpose.

You can stick several knitting needles into a flower pot or thin sticks and carefully secure the heavy leaves so that the flower does not fall under their weight.

Types of Platycerium

Double-forked

Double-forked Platycerium

This type of flower is also called moose-horned. The double-forked platycerium received this name for its very large leaves, which really resemble elk antlers. Reaches 45-75 cm in height and the same in width. Under natural conditions, the double-forked platicerium reaches such a size that it can fall under its own weight.

Hilla

Platycerium Hilla

Similar to double-forked but with more modest leaf sizes. If the leaves of the double-forked platycerium resemble elk antlers, then The fronds of Platycerium hilla really resemble more graceful deer antlers. It is much smaller than the previous type.

Big

Platycerium Large

Forms a kind of “nest” of leaves. The leaves end in horns characteristic of Platyceriums. The leaves bloom gradually, which adds originality to the plant. This type of platycerium is somewhat reminiscent of a head of cabbage, who decided for unknown reasons to acquire horns. Such an amazing form of the plant leaves no one indifferent.

Angolan

Platycerium Angolan

A highly decorative species with large triangular leaves. The width of the upper part of the sheet can reach 40 cm. The leaves of this type of platycerium resemble large drooping triangles with wavy edges. Due to its unusual appearance, it is very popular among gardeners.

Elkhorn

Platycerium Elkhorn

Often the same plant species has several names. This happened with Platycerium elkhorn. This is the second name for double-forked platycerium. Its leaves are very reminiscent of elk antlers.

Platycerium, staghorn fern and staghorn fern are names of the same plant. However, Kalanchoe dissected is also often called deer horns. It should be noted that these are completely different plants. Kalanchoe is not a fern and blooms quite profusely.

The variety of indoor plants is simply amazing. Each of them, no matter how simple it is, enlivens the interior and makes the house unique. Indoor flowers help residents of megacities feel unity with nature, learn to create beauty with their own hands, get rid of depression and get a charge of positivity. That is why growing indoor flowers is becoming an increasingly popular hobby.

The staghorn flower or platycerium belongs to the category of ferns. This plant can be grown at home even by a gardener without relevant experience due to its ease of care.

Description of the flower
Features of care
Plant propagation

Description of the flower

Platycerium is a houseplant that differs from other types of ferns unusual shape leaves. That is why it is popularly called deer antlers. This indoor plant is characterized by being unpretentious in care, which saves energy and cash On this. The plant belongs to the category of perennials and has succulent and fleshy shoots. They are erect at first.

At a young age, the flower is characterized by a fairly dense crown. Over time, its thinning is observed.

Deer antlers have fleshy leaves that are characterized by deep dissection. The plant has a light green color with a waxy coating. The flower is tubular in shape and yellow-orange in color. Platycerium has quite abundant flowering.

Deer antlers are a very beautiful indoor plant that can be used to decorate any room in the house.

Features of care

By providing proper care, the full growth and development of the flower can be ensured. The plant needs:

Optimal humidity. Despite the fact that deer antlers can fully tolerate dry air, at excessively high temperatures in summer time Spraying is recommended every year. A spray bottle is used for this purpose.
The right temperature. The flower is characterized by unpretentiousness in temperature and therefore can be fully grown indoors. In summer, it is recommended to grow the plant to a temperature of 27 degrees, and in winter - up to 15 degrees. If the room is excessively cold, this can lead to damage to the plant's leaves. In the event that in autumn and winter time elevated temperature, this will eliminate the possibility of flower bud formation.
Lighting. The indoor plant needs to be provided with enough light. In summer, it is recommended to ensure that daylight hours last for at least 12 hours. In winter, the duration of daylight should be at least 9 hours. In winter, it is necessary to install the plant on the windowsill on the south side. In summer, it is recommended to shade the flower, as excessive sunlight may cause burns on the leaves. In some cases, their redness is observed.
Watering. Like any other houseplant, deer antlers need to be watered regularly. Watering is carried out depending on the level of drying of the top layer of soil in the pot. It is strictly forbidden to allow the earthen clod to dry out completely. In winter, watering is carried out twice a week. If available in a pallet excess water, it is recommended to drain it.
Feeding. When growing a young plant, it should be fertilized twice a month. For this purpose, it is recommended to use fertilizers for cacti. Fertilizers for common houseplants are used during the winter antler bloom period. Their dose should be reduced by half.

Caring for deer antlers is a fairly simple and responsible procedure. If you follow all the rules for growing a flower, you can achieve good results.

Plant propagation

The most in a simple way Propagation of a houseplant is by dividing the rhizome. Other methods are labor-intensive and therefore, in most cases, are used only by experienced gardeners.

The method of flower propagation by spores is very often used. To do this, you need to take a shallow pot, which in its shape resembles a bowl. Initially, it is recommended to prepare a mixture that includes peat and leaf soil, as well as sand. Before using the mixture, it must be steamed with boiling water. It is recommended to sow spores into the mixture, which is previously placed in a bowl. After this, it is necessary to moderately water the plant. For this purpose, a solution of quinozol or potassium permanganate is used. It is recommended to cover the pots. For this, glass or polyethylene is used. After the first leaves appear on the sprouts, they are dropped into a larger pot separately.

For propagation of deer antlers, the upper shoot, the height of which is at least 10 centimeters, can be used. The procedure is performed in spring. The shoot must be rooted in a mixture of peat and sand. After planting it in a pot, it is recommended to cover it with plastic wrap. To ensure complete rooting of the shoot, it is necessary to ventilate it daily.

The plant can be propagated by seeds that are too small. They are planted at the end of winter in leafy soil, to which sand is added. Seed germination will already be observed after two weeks. After the emergence of seedlings, it is recommended to dive them.

Deer antlers are very beautiful flower, with which you can decorate any window sill in the house. Thanks to its ease of care, even a novice gardener can do it.

An exotic representative of ferns, the staghorn flower, amazes with its unusual appearance and surprises with its ease of cultivation and care. Decorative properties This fancy plant is successfully used in interior decoration. The article and the photo of the flower presented in it will help you understand all the intricacies of growing exotic plants.

Types and description of deer antlers flower

Until recently, coral ferns were rare in gardeners' homes. Now they are becoming more and more popular and the ranks of their fans are growing every day.

The staghorn flower (also called Platycerium bifurcatum) prefers tropical areas South America, Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia and New Guinea. The genus Platycerium includes about 18 species, but only a few of them can be grown as houseplants. Some representatives of this genus grow as epiphytes (on trees), others as lithophytes (on rocks). The most decorative types:

Platycerium alcicorne (Moose-horned platycerium);
P. angolense (P. angolensis);
P. coronarium (P. coronary);
P. grande (P. large);
Ridleyi (P. Ridley).

Platycerium in nature

Spore-bearing plants are the main “decoration”, giving the plant a resemblance to deer antlers. They can grow up to 60-80 cm, dividing into lingular lobes 2-3 times as they grow. Under the lower surface of the leathery leaf plate, fern spores are located in a rusty scattering. Beginner gardeners may mistake brownish spore spots for a disease affecting their handsome antlers.
Sterile. Typically round in shape, they form a kind of rosette at the base of the plant, which helps to better attach to the surface of the tree. Initially, the fronds are green and succulent, but eventually lose moisture and become Brown color and thin out like parchment paper. In addition to helping with attachment, this type of leaf helps nourish the entire staghorn flower because. Organic matter accumulates underneath them.

Attention! Brown color sheet plates ferns do not mean that the plant is dying or diseased, and under no circumstances should they be removed!

Care in an apartment

In order for “deer antlers” to please you with their appearance, several conditions must be met:

Avoid the scorching rays of the sun, and create shading that imitates the natural conditions for the plant (as under the crown of a tree). At artificial lighting Platycerium is unlikely to survive.
Needs access fresh air, but the fern is sensitive to drafts.
The humidity level in the room should be between 60-80% (remember that antlers are a tropical plant). If the air in the apartment is very dry (which is often observed in winter with increased heating), you can place a container of water near the fern.
The optimal temperature is 20°C. Increase temperature regime requires an increase in humidity levels.
The soil should be well-drained (a mixture for orchids is suitable - soil and bark 1:1, but you can use bark and sphagnum moss).
Water regularly, but do not overdo it, because... if there is too much water, the “deer antlers” can rot. It is better to focus on the top layer of soil - if it is slightly dry, you can water it. Spraying is encouraged (in winter it is better to refrain from this procedure). Follow the rule - the higher the humidity, the less watering.
During the growing season (spring-summer), the antler flower needs feeding every 2 weeks. Water-soluble fertilizers for orchids or ferns are well suited for this purpose. During the dormant period (autumn-winter), fertilize once a month. Some gardeners place banana peels behind the rounded leaf frond as a top dressing.

Advice. There is no need to wipe the Platicerium fronds, because... This procedure can damage the small hairs that cover the fern, and this can even lead to the death of the plant.

Transplanting antlers flowers

Platycerium is most often grown in shallow pots and hanging planters. But if you want to make the most of the decorative effect of “deer antlers”, then the plant can be transplanted to wood block, imitating real deer antlers, as shown in the photo.

Only young ferns tolerate transplantation well; more mature ones should not be disturbed. Sphagnum moss with peat particles and pieces of rotted bark and leaves are used as a substrate and food source. On a prepared board with nails driven in, a bed for the “deer antlers” is formed using fishing line and moistened moss. The backing layer should not be too bulky, 1.5-2 cm thick is enough.

Attention! Do not use copper wire to create a substrate; it can have a detrimental effect on the fern.

The roots of the “deer antlers” need to be cleaned from the old substrate as thoroughly as possible, but very carefully. Then the platycerium is transferred to a new habitat, the sterile frond is pressed against the formed substrate and strengthened with fishing line. The frond will grow and form a bracket, so the sphagnum is distributed evenly, without any tubercles or depressions.

After this, all that remains is to choose a place on the wall and fasten the board with “deer antlers” to the delight of you and the surprise of your friends.

Attention! “Deer antlers” will not only serve as a wonderful interior decoration, but can also purify the air, filling it with phytoncides.

Diseases and pests

When growing staghorn fern, you may encounter the following problems:

Defeat by scale insects. The pest is unpleasant, but you can fight it using special preparations.
Mealybug sucking juices from ferns. The plant appears to be covered with a white coating. If you don’t sound the alarm in time and start fighting the whitish bastard, the “deer antlers” will face inevitable death.
Reduced leaf turgor and the appearance of spots. Make sure the plant is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Drying leaves indicate a lack of moisture, and wilting, on the contrary, indicates an excess of moisture.
The pallor of the leaf blades indicates insufficient feeding.

As you can see, maintaining this miracle fern will not cause much trouble. Well, as for the sign that “deer antlers” contributes to the husband leaving home, it is unlikely that in such a situation it is worth placing the blame on the flower.

Deer antler: video

Platycerium or staghorn flower is an epiphytic fern that appearance, however, does not look like a fern at all. There are two types of flower: one shaped like antlers and bearing spores, and the other a sterile type that serves as plant support on tree trunks. Barren fronds, among other things, collect food for the fern. Like a trap, they capture rotten leaves, moss, dead insects, etc. When all this rots, the antler flower receives its nutritious soil.

Deer antler belongs to the millipede family, whose homeland is Australia and Polynesia. Leaves can reach up to 1m in length. The flower grows slowly and blooms very rarely.

In total, there are 15 species of herbaceous perennials in this genus, which are common in the Asian tropics of Asia, the Philippines and Australia, the Malay Archipelago and the islands Indian Ocean, in Africa, Madagascar.

Description

Deerhorn leaves are sterile and spore-bearing. Sterile fronds are rounded, wide, tightly pressed by the side and bottom edges to the substrate; the top of the sheet moves away from the support and forms a funnel. In addition to photosynthesis, these leaves are needed to trap falling leaves and other organic matter. The newly formed sterile fronds hide the old ones, which subsequently decompose. So the trap increases, and the flower itself grows.

Spore-bearing fronds have a completely different shape. Hanging or erect in shape, they resemble deer antlers (hence the name). Many sporangia are formed at the ends of the leaves on the underside.

Plant care

Growing, transplanting

Diseases and pests

Leaves may turn yellow and become covered with brown spots. A high room temperature, more than 25°C, can cause such a reaction. If the temperature rises, the humidity must also be increased. The cause may also be irregular or insufficient watering.
The leaves turn yellow, the flower grows poorly - very low humidity and proximity of heating system elements.
The leaves are limp, faded, translucent - excessively intense natural light.
The leaves are dull or pale, the ends turn brown or yellow, the flower does not grow at all or grows poorly. The cause may be lack of nutrition, too little or too much big size a pot in which a fern grows.
Leaves may turn yellow, brown, curl and fall off, young leaves may wither and die due to too low a room temperature, exposure to a draft, or watering with cold, chlorinated or hard water.

Do not remove dead sterile leaves.

Reproduction

The simplest method of reproduction indoor fern- This is the division of the rhizome. Other methods are more labor-intensive, so they are mainly used only by experienced gardeners.

Deer antlers are a very beautiful flower., and they will be able to decorate any window sill in the house. And the ease of caring for the plant, even for a novice gardener, guarantees success in growing it.

The staghorn fern is found in Asian and Australian tropical forests and on the islands of the Indian Ocean. Both in the wild and on a home windowsill, platicerium can grow to very large sizes. The main thing is proper care.

Kinds

Double-forked

Sporiferous leaves of this species reach a length of about 50-70 cm. They have a bluish tint and gather in rosettes. Young plants have leaves covered with thick white down. At the base they have a wedge-shaped shape, the upper part expands, branches into several tongue-shaped lobes hanging down.

The sterile leaves are round and most often whole, less often with cutouts along the edges; they are pressed to the ground. As the plants mature, they become brown and dry.

Hilla

This species is similar to the double-forked one, but is distinguished by many compact, straight leaves with shallow dissection. Some segments appear shorter and more pointed.

Photo of the subspecies Platicerium Hilla:

Big

Its sterile leaves are pale green and do not dry out. for a long time. They are raised, deeply dissected and fan-shaped. Their width can reach 1.4 meters. The spore-bearing leaves are also evenly dissected from the middle, and the belt-like lobes hang down.

Angolan

The spore-bearing leaves of this species expand upward, but do not have a dissection. Their Bottom part triangular-wedge-shaped, covered with orange down. The upper part of the sterile leaves bends back.

Photo of the Angolan subspecies:

Elkhorn

Its spore-bearing leaves, reaching 30 cm in length, do not hang down, but stand upright. They sag only from lack of light. Also, this type of plant requires more water than its “brothers”.

Gymnosperms, and with them ferns, dominated the Earth 200 million years ago. But even now this type of plant is quite popular. Read our articles about the most common ferns that are found in homes and gardens. personal plots: , And .

Home care

Features of care after purchase

Since in nature platicerium grows on trees, At home it is grown on pieces of bark. To do this, the roots of the plant need to be wrapped in a damp mixture of sphagnum moss and some coarse peat, and then tied to bark or any other suitable decorative support.

Ferns are also placed in hanging pots. If there is no support in the form of bark, you need to add rotten mushrooms from deciduous trees to the soil. A quarter of the capacity should be occupied drainage layer at the very bottom.

Lighting

Platicerium loves light, but it is still better to protect it from the direct rays of the spring and summer sun. Choose a moderately shaded place for the fern, such as a west-facing window. In winter, it can be moved to the south, but do not forget to protect it from direct sun.

Temperature

"Deer antlers" love warmth. In summer, the plant is comfortable at 18-25 degrees Celsius; in winter, the temperature can be reduced to at least 15 degrees. Platycerium really does not like drafts, protect the fern from them.

Air humidity

Platycerium prefers high humidity. However, it is strictly forbidden to wipe the leaves - there is a risk of damaging the tiny velvety hairs on the surface that capture moisture from the air.

Therefore, it is enough to periodically spray the “horns” with the smallest sprayer so that the water does not remain in drops on the leaves.

If there is an open aquarium or other source of humidity in the room, it would be a good idea to place the “Deer Antlers” closer to it.

Watering

You need to pour water into the cracks between the soil and the sterile leaves. In winter, when the platycerium has a dormant period, watering should be reduced.

Fertilizers (feeding)

“Deer Antlers” are fed with a complex fertilizer developed specifically for decorative deciduous plants. The portion for platycerium should be taken twice as small as recommended in the instructions.

The plant needs to be fertilized from April to September once every two weeks. 2-3 times during the summer you can water the fern with a nutrient solution of mineral and organic feeding.

Transfer

Usually, adult platyceriums are not replanted. If necessary, young plants can be wrapped in new moss in the spring and placed in a larger container.

At the same time, remember that It is impossible to tear off dead anchor leaves.

The soil

The substrate for "Deer Antlers" can be of different composition. The soil may contain bark, sphagnum and roots of other ferns. Another option: coarse-fiber peat mixed with moss, leaf soil and unrotted leaves.

Of the ready-made soil mixtures sold in stores for branching ferns, soil for orchids is best suited.

Reproduction

Disputes

When the plant reaches the age of 7-9 years, spores form on its leaves. When they are ripe, they are shaken off onto a sheet of paper and sown in March.

Sowing is done in moist sphagnum, but Before this, for the purpose of sterilization, the soil must be doused with boiling water and allowed to cool.

The seeded container should be covered with glass and left in a warm, shaded place for several days.

The soil will need to be sprayed regularly with water. Young, strong plants can be placed in separate pots and accustomed to regular watering and lighting.

Dividing the bush

In case of transplantation, the young fern can be carefully divided and planted in different containers.

By shoots

The emerging shoots are carefully separated from the adult plant and planted in separate pots about half filled with pebbles and wet moss.

The soil needs to be watered abundantly and covered with film. for a few days. As soon as the sprouts take root and become stronger, you can transfer them to “adult mode”.

Diseases and pests

The number of harmful insects that are dangerous for Platycerium includes scale insects (appear due to dry heat), thrips and spider mites. You can get rid of them by spraying (but not wiping) the leaves of the “deer antlers” with a solution of insect repellent.

Beneficial features

"Deer antlers" destroy a certain part of gaseous hydrocarbons and purify the air in the room. Also platicerium prevents the development of pathogenic microorganisms.

Video on the topic

Learn more about the Staghorn Fern in the video below:

Conclusion

Platicerium is a favorite of gardeners who prefer unusual plants. It will add a touch of exoticism to any interior and become its eye-catching decoration.

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

Ferns are a very special department higher plants. In most of them, spores are formed on the underside of the leaves in special bags - sporangia. Once in the soil, the spores germinate into tiny green plates. They look like pieces of green paper with a diameter of 5-6 mm, moistened with water. These are growths, or gametophytes, on which male and female reproductive organs are formed. After fertilization, a large and beautiful fern(sporophyte). This confusion is called alternation of generations - asexual (sporophyte) and sexual (gametophyte).

Anyone who happened to see this fern will never forget it. Platycerium looks like the head of a deer or elk with huge antlers! Its carved leaves are covered with silvery fluff, which should never be peeled off; it helps nourish the plant and absorb moisture from the soil.

Content:

Description of the platycerium

Platicerium (Deer horn, Flat-horned) - lat. Platycerium. The name of the genus comes from the Greek words platus - flat and keras - horn and is due to the fact that the leaves are shaped like deer antlers.

The genus includes 15 herbaceous species perennial plants, distributed in the tropics of Asia, Australia, the islands of the Indian Ocean, the Malay Archipelago, the Philippines, Africa and the island of Madagascar.

Platycerium is an epiphytic fern; in tropical countries, antler grows on trees. In Australia, Platyceriums sometimes reach such a size that giant trunks fall under their weight! In the room it is usually grown on pieces of bark or in hanging baskets; this fern grows slowly and does not threaten to collapse the decorative support from which they are hung.

Its appearance is quite different from other ferns. It has two types of leaves (vai) - sterile and spore-bearing. The sterile fronds are round, widely spread, tightly pressed by the lower and lateral edges to the substrate, the upper part of the leaf extends from the support, forming a funnel. The biological purpose of these leaves, in addition to photosynthesis, is to trap leaf litter and other organic matter. Newly formed sterile fronds hide under them old ones, which decompose over time, thus increasing the trap for organic substances and the growth of the plant itself.

Growing Platycerium

Spore-bearing fronds have a completely different shape. Erect or hanging, they resemble the shape of deer antlers (which is where the name “deer antler” comes from). Numerous sporangia are formed at the ends of the leaves on the underside.

For keeping platicerium, as for keeping other ferns, western or eastern windows are best suited, i.e. when the sun shines through the window in the morning or evening and it is not the hottest. Ferns need protection from direct sunlight. At the same time, ferns love good diffused lighting. Ferns do not tolerate drafts or cold harsh air, but at the same time they need regular ventilation of the room. Ferns do not tolerate smoke and dust well.

For successful growth and well-being of platyceriam in the spring-summer period optimal temperature about 20 °C; at temperatures above 24 °C there should be high air humidity, since the plant does not tolerate high temperatures very well.

In autumn-winter, the optimal temperature is within 15-17 °C. Excessively warm air harms the plant, so it is advisable not to place it near central heating radiators.

Since the homeland of most species of ferns is tropical forests, they do not tolerate dry air well. Ferns need to be sprayed regularly at least 2 times a day, and on hot summer days from 3 to 5 times a day. In warm rooms, ferns should be sprayed with warm water.

Platycerium is grown mainly in a special mixture for ferns, consisting of pine bark and sphagnum moss. Can be done on pieces of bark and stumps.

Ferns are replanted in the spring after the first growth appears. When replanting, it is necessary to preserve the earthen lump. The roots are not cut, but only old and dead roots are removed. When transplanting, the roots of ferns are straightened, and planting is done so that the root collar is above the ground.

All ferns need fertilizing in spring and summer with organic and mineral fertilizers. You cannot use fertilizer consisting only of mineral salts. Do not feed in autumn and winter - feeding during this period can lead to serious plant disease.

Possible difficulties when growing platycerium

The leaves turn yellow and brown spots appear on them. The reason is too high temperature indoors, above 25 °C. As the temperature rises, the humidity must also increase. The cause may also be irregular or insufficient watering.

The leaves turn yellow, the plant grows poorly - the humidity in the room is too low, the proximity of the heating system.

The leaves are faded, translucent, limp - too intense sunlight.

The leaves are pale or dull, the ends turn yellow or brown, the plant does not grow or grows poorly. The reason may be a lack of nutrition, a pot that is too small or too large.

Leaves may turn yellow, brown, curl and fall off, young leaves may wither and die if the room temperature is too low, from exposure to a cold draft, watering cold water, when watering with hard or chlorinated water.

Never remove dead sterile leaves.

Damaged: spider mite, scale insects, thrips.

Notes: Brown arched leaves should not be removed as they form humus.

Types of Platycerium

Most widespread in indoor floriculture got views

Platycerium alcicorne

Sterile leaves are round, 12-20 cm in diameter, convex, lobed at the edges. Fertile leaves are 50-70 cm long, wedge-shaped narrowed at the base, fan-shaped widened at the top and forked into lobes, 3-4 cm wide, thick, bluish-green. Lobes hanging down. Sporangia throughout the lobes are yellow-brown.

Platycerium angolense

Sterile leaves are entire, bent top part back. The fertile leaves are triangular-wedge-shaped in the lower part, expanding to 40 cm wide in the upper part, not dissected into lobes, notched along the entire upper edge and dull orange-pubescent. Sporangia are located transversely across the entire width of the leaf.

Platycerium grande

The plant's homeland is Tropical Asia, tropical Australia, and the Philippine Islands. Sterile fronds are wide, 45-60 cm wide, deeply forked (do not dry out for a long time); fertile 1.3-2 m long, wedge-shaped, hanging downwards, evenly, approximately from the middle of the leaf, forked, dissected into belt-like lobes. Highly decorative look. Cultivated in a warm greenhouse and warm rooms.

Platycerium bifurcatum

The most common type in indoor culture. The plant's homeland is Tropical Australia. Sterile fronds are round, 12-20 cm in diameter, convex, lobed at the edges; spore-bearing 50-70 cm long, wedge-shaped narrowed at the base, fan-shaped expanded in the upper part and forked into lobes (3-4 cm wide), thick, bluish-green; lobes hanging down. Sporangia throughout the upper part of the lobes are yellow-brown. Highly decorative look. Cultivated in semi-warm greenhouses, florariums, terrariums and rooms.

Platycerium Hillii

Similar to the previous species, from which it differs in numerous compact, shallowly dissected straight leaves. Some segments are shorter and more pointed. The sporangia are collected in oval and round masses located near the base of the terminal segments.

We are used to imagining ferns as plants with lacy leaves that resemble a green veil. But among the huge variety of ferns, there is one that does not at all correspond to this image. Its huge leaves are devoid of openwork grace, but no less attractive for this. They resemble the spreading antlers of a deer or even an elk! The name of this natural miracle is Platycerium.

Platycerium: biological description

Platyceriums are a separate genus of ferns, which includes 17 species. The extremely unusual external shape is the reason that these ferns are often called “staghorn” or “flat-horned” ferns. Actually, the name itself can be translated from Latin as “wide horn”.

It is difficult now to say exactly where the historical homeland of this family is located. Many researchers name Australia in this capacity, although, apparently, its species spread a long time ago in the humid zone tropical forests Africa and the Hindustan Peninsula.

All Platyceriums are typical epiphytes: they live on trees, tightly clinging to the host’s trunk with tenacious roots, and as if “hugging” it with wide, dense leaves. These leaves are sterile and serve only as support for the plant. In the upper part, the sterile leaves form a characteristic funnel, where everything from small twigs to dry foliage, insects and dead bark falls. This entire mass gradually rots inside the funnel, forming a nutrient mixture for the platycerium.

Interesting! In nature, there were huge ferns in which up to a hundredweight of such nutrient substrate accumulated inside the funnel!

Well, the legendary “horns” of Platycerium are spore-bearing leaves that any fern on Earth has. But even here the antler flower stood out! Its spores do not form sori, like other ferns, but are simply scattered over the lower surface of the leaf, coloring it a slightly reddish color.

All types of Platyceriums live in tropical rainforests, which must be taken into account when keeping them at home. Each specimen can grow for years, sometimes reaching impressive sizes.

Only 4 types of these plants are used in indoor floriculture.

Platycerium bifurcatum.

It is this species that is most often found in the collections of amateur flower growers. And if people often argue about whose horns the leaves of platyceriums look like - deer or elk, then in the case of this species the conclusion is clear: elk. Its leaves are wide, rounded, divided at the edges into separate lobes. Top part green leaves has a slightly bluish tint. The homeland of the species is the forests of Australia.

Platycerium angolense.

It is often called flat-horned. The leaves are smaller in size than the previous species, moreover, they are more triangular in shape, the edges of the leaves are not dissected, but only slightly jagged. One of the most moisture-loving species, it is not at all easy to maintain.

Platycerium grande

It is distinguished by large sterile leaves and elongated spore-bearing fronds, half dissected into strips resembling wide belts. These fronds sometimes reach a meter in length, and the “straps” hang down, giving the plant a highly decorative appearance.

Platycerium Hillii Moore

Very reminiscent of a smaller copy of the double-forked platycerium. Its leaves are less dissected at the edges, often the segments are slightly pointed. The spores are not scattered over the entire surface, but are grouped into small oval spots.

Conditions and care for exotic ferns

Judging in general, caring for platycerium cannot be called simple. Although the plants look great, especially in a separate hanging planter, resembling a trophy of a successful hunter. But if a hunter has to kill an animal to get a trophy, then the platicerium will decorate the room with its “horns” without any violence against wildlife.

Lighting

It should be bright, but without direct sunlight on the leaves. If the fern pot is on the windowsill, an east or west window orientation is ideal.

Interesting! It has been noticed that the longer the frond of a plant, the more light-loving it is. On the contrary, species with short spore-bearing leaves tolerate a lack of light better.

When a plant does not have enough light, its leaves become thin, lose their elasticity, hang down, and their color becomes darker.

Temperature

During the active growing season of platycerium, the room temperature should be in the range from +20°C to +25°C. Increasing it entails the need to increase air humidity, and decreasing it can lead to rotting of the roots. In winter, you can lower the temperature slightly, usually to +14-17°C.

However, a lot depends on the type of platycerium. Eg, P. biforkate calmly tolerates temperature drops to +5°C, while P. large can hardly withstand even the “cold” of +16°C.

Air humidity

This is the most difficult element in caring for a deer antler. Ambient air humidity should always be high, preferably up to 80%. In this case, large fronds can only be sprayed with fine drops. Large drops will flow down the tiny hairs covering the surface of the leaf, practically without wetting it.

It is also extremely undesirable to wipe the leaves of platiceriums with a damp cloth, because this will destroy the villi, and this is unacceptable. The best way to increase humidity is to use a humidifier, or to have a tray with wet expanded clay near the pot. If the air in the room remains dry for a long time, this will have an extremely negative impact on the condition of the fern.

Watering and fertilizing

It is best to water platiceriums by immersing the container in a basin of water, as is customary to do with orchids. The water should be soft, preferably slightly warm. After such abundant watering, you need to wait until the soil noticeably dries out, and only then water again. This fern does not like constant moisture; its roots easily rot from excess water in the substrate.

Feeding deer antler is also carried out with special fertilizers for orchids. They are usually used twice a month. If there are no such fertilizers, you can take ordinary complex fertilizers, only reducing their concentration by half.

There are cases when platicerium is grown without soil at all, on a block of bark. Then the frequency of fertilizing should be increased.

Soil Features

In the case when the plant is in a pot, standard orchid substrates are used for rooting. You can create the mixture yourself; it should have an acidity of pH 5.5–6. Roughly, you can take the following composition:

leaf soil - 1 part;
coarse sand - 1 part;
high peat - 2 parts;
finely chopped pine bark - 0.5 parts;
crushed sphagnum moss - 0.5 parts;
crushed coal - a tablespoon per liter of the finished mixture.

The resulting substrate will be light, moisture-absorbing and breathable.

Platycerium transplant

It is carried out once every 2-3 years, and in a pot small size, since the roots of this plant are poorly developed. Be sure to arrange a strong drainage layer at the bottom of the pot to prevent moisture stagnation.

The sterile leaves of the platicerium fern tightly cover the pot, dying off over time. New ones grow in their place, but old, shriveled ones do not need to be removed - they also participate in the nutrition of the platycerium.

If the flower is grown on a block, its leaves will almost completely hide the bark over time. If possible, insert a layer of sphagnum between the bark and leaves.

Features of reproduction

These ferns can be propagated either by spores (which is done extremely rarely in amateur floriculture) or by separating shoots.

Platycerium shoots usually appear at the base of the bush. To plant a new shoot, it must already have roots and at least three small leaves, including a sterile corymb. Carefully, with sharp knife, the baby is separated from the mother plant and planted in a new pot prepared in advance.

Attention! It is important to ensure that the growth bud is above the substrate level.

After transplanting, the baby needs to be covered with polyethylene for at least a week so that the plant takes root in this mini-greenhouse.

Diseases, pests and problems

If the fern leaves dry out, it means the air in the room is too dry. Speaking of how to care for a deer antler flower - this is the most common problem. Leaves that are too light indicate too much light, while leaves that are too dark indicate a lack of light. In both cases, the leaves also lose turgor.