- 1). Understand that In its natural habitat a Staghorn takes care of feeding itself. Falling plant debris is collected behind the plant by one of the two types of leaves. Basal fronds or sterile fronds are the brown ones in the back that attach your Staghorn to the growing surface. Some of those fronds will be upright and split. In the wild, those overlapping fronds will catch falling plant debris and water creating a natural mulch pile that will gradually decay and supply nutrients for the plants growth. Since your stag is inside, you will need to help this process along and there are several effective choices.
- 2). Know that fish emulsion is one acceptable fertilizer for Staghorns. Mix 1 tsp. full in 1/2 cup of water. Stir. Carefully pour the mixture into the basal trap. Hold a paper towel under the fern to catch any leakage. Fertilize monthly.
- 3). Keep in mind that using a commercial liquid fertilizer (10x10x10 or 20x20x20) is also acceptable. To 1/2 cup of water add 1/4 tsp. of the fertilizer mix. Stir. Pour the mixture slowing into the basal trap area, holding paper towels beneath the plant to catch any leakage. Using this type of fertilizer bi-monthly.
- 4). Know that there is a third option and it is one that appeals most because it involves recycling and you get a sandwich out of the deal. Staghorn ferns love potassium and a great source of that is a banana. After making your peanut butter and banana sandwich, reserve half of the peel.
- 5). Using a sharp knife cut the reserved peel into sections small enough to place within the basal trap. If the peel sections are firm add several tablespoons of water to the trap to help with decomposition. Hold paper towels under the plant to catch any water that might leak. Add more peels when the current ones are mostly decomposed, approximately three months.
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