Platycerium superbum, better known as the Staghorn is a solitary epiphytic fern, it does not grow in colonies.
Found on trees, fallen logs and rocky outcrops in sheltered rainforests of coastal NSW and Queensland where the conditions are shady, warm and humid. As epiphytes take their moisture from the air, rain and decaying matter around the plant.
In gardens they are grown on backing boards that are attached to trees or walls. Given the right conditions these require very little attention and add a tropical and rain-forest feel to shady gardens, water features and patios.
They have two types of fronds.
Rounded backing fronds (remind me of cabbage leaves) that grow around the board and support the plant.
Pendulous, slender branching fronds that can grow to 2m in length. On the underside are small brown sori containing masses of spores. The fronds will turn brown and fall off once the spores have matured.
The plant is held onto the backing board using wire, make holes on the edges of board and thread the wire through the hole, across the fern and back through the next hole - the number of holes and the amount of wire used will depend on the size of the plant. At this stage spagnum moss is place between the fern roots and the backboard. As it matures compost and solid organic fertilisers can be placed between the backing fronds and the board.