Staghorn Fern – How to Re-pot

Q: A friend of mine wants to know how to repot their large staghorn fern.

A: A staghorn fern is composed of several rounded brown shield fronds and even more green “staghorn” fronds. Before dividing a plant, soak it thoroughly for a day to make sure all roots are well-hydrated. A shield frond hides a mass of roots and rhizomes. Carefully lift an edge and insert a sharp knife to separate roots and fronds from the larger mass. You’ll have more success dividing the original plant in half or thirds, without trying to separate out each individual growing plant. Wrap the base of the separated pieces in wet sphagnum moss and tie each to a wide board with nylon fishing line. Given sufficient light and occasional watering, the new plants will soon begin growing once again.