Platycerium Mounting

“Mounting a Platycerium, or staghorn fern, is more than just a way to display a plant—it’s an art form that celebrates nature’s wild elegance. These epiphytic ferns naturally grow on trees in tropical forests, so mounting them mimics their natural habitat and allows them to thrive.”

By : M. Fathurahman.

Owner & Founder of Platy Plant

Step 1: Preparation

Sewing thread or nylon thread
Mounting board with hooks
Growing media (Chilean sphagnum moss or bird’s nest fern roots)
Fermented coco husk (optional)
Scissors
Slow-release fertilizer
Root booster fertilizer (optional)
Wire
ID tag
Permanent marker

Choosing the Right Mounting Board

Teak Board
Cork Bark
Plastic Board (size adjusted to fit the Platycerium)

Choosing the Right Growing Medium

Spagnum Moss

Pro

Sphagnum moss has excellent moisture retention, making it ideal for creating a healthy environment for mounted plants. It is believed to absorb fertilizers effectively, which helps provide consistent nutrients to the plant. Sphagnum moss can hold up to 80% of its weight in water and naturally contains about 2–3% nitrogen, contributing to plant growth.

Cons

Sphagnum moss is best used in environments where moisture levels can be carefully controlled, as it retains a high amount of water. Additionally, it tends to be relatively expensive and may be difficult to find in certain areas.

Kadaka Roots

Pro

Fern roots are excellent for supporting Platycerium root growth. They provide good aeration, contain oxygen, and offer organic nutrients that promote healthy development. In addition, fern roots are more affordable and easier to find compared to other mounting media.

Cons

Typically, fern roots (akar kadaka) available in the market have not gone through proper washing or sterilization. Therefore, it’s important to clean or boil the roots before use to ensure they are safe and free from pests or pathogens.

A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare tools and Material

Prepare your tools
Gather all necessary tools and materials, including:

Wooden board
Wire hooks or screw eyes
Thread or strong string
Hammer or screwdriver
Sphagnum moss
Fermented coco husk
Slow-release fertilizer
Root booster
Scissors or garden shears
Plant ID tag

Step 2: Determine the size of the board and the Platycerium

Choose a board size that matches the size of your Platycerium. Make sure it’s sturdy enough to support the plant.

Step 3: Install wire hooks

Attach wire hooks or screw eyes to the board. These will serve as anchors for tying the thread.

Step 4: Add a sphagnum moss bed

Create a base layer of sphagnum moss. This prevents the coco husk from falling through the holes in the board. Adjust the moss bed to match the desired mounting diameter.

Step 5: Add fermented coco husk

Place the coco husk on top of the moss bed, shaping it according to the desired diameter and height of the mounting.

Step 6: Add slow-release fertilizer and root booster

Apply the appropriate dosage of fertilizers as recommended.

Step 7: Add sphagnum moss around the sides

Cover the sides of the coco husk media with sphagnum moss to help retain moisture and support the structure.

Step 8: Position the Platycerium

Place the Platycerium on top of the media. Ensure that the growing point (rhizome or central bud) faces upward.

Step 9: Add more sphagnum moss if needed

If there are any exposed areas, add more sphagnum moss to fully cover the mounting media.

Step 10: Tie the thread to one of the hooks

Begin securing the plant by tying the thread to one of the hooks.

Step 11: Secure the Platycerium in place

Wrap the thread across the Platycerium and tie it to the opposite hook. Continue wrapping across in multiple directions to prevent the plant from shifting or falling.