How to Cut Staghorn Ferns

Staghorn ferns, known botanically as Platycerium bifurcatum, are a species of fast growing, epiphytic ferns. They will grow on the surface of another plant, such as a tree, without harming it or in the air when mounted to a non-living surface. Native to temperate and tropical Australia and New Guinea, staghorn ferns will grow in most climates where temperatures remain above freezing and can be overwintered indoors in cooler climes. The plants propagate themselves by developing small pups or side plants that can be removed to start new plantings elsewhere. Staghorn ferns require little to no pruning save to remove damaged or dead fronds, harvest pup plants or to reduce size slightly to create clearance around the plant.

Scale Insects On Staghorn Ferns

Scale insects are small, largely immobile insects that are often confused for growths on a plant's leaves or branches. The male's white armor remains attached to the fern even after he's emerged as a mobile adult, making a fern scale infestation seem much larger than it actually is. As the young insects feed, they emit a protective wax coating that makes penetration by insecticides difficult. They will molt several times before reaching their adult forms; females molt twice, males molt four times. Pressurized water can be sprayed at the scale to dislodge them, but don't injure the staghorn fern. Apply these chemicals only as a last resort and when temperatures are below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Several applications of chemicals may be necessary to completely eliminate an infestation.