Hanging Your Own Staghorn Fern: A Simple DIY Guide

After years of contemplation and hesitation about hanging a staghorn fern in my apartment, primarily due to the high costs of pre-mounted ferns (ranging from $85 to $150), I was wary of losing interest or inadvertently killing the plant.

However, a recent post on Paiko in Honolulu reignited my enthusiasm, prompting me to take the plunge and mount one myself.

After several trips to local garden stores and some late-night disassembly of wooden crates, I devised a reliable method for successfully mounting a staghorn fern. Below is a step-by-step guide to creating your own:

Materials Needed:

• A flat wooden board (I repurposed an old fruit crate, but any suitable piece of wood will work)
• A bowl or plate for tracing
• Pencil
• Hammer
• 6 nails
• Fishing line
• 1 potted staghorn fern
• Sheet moss
• 2 screws and string (or a picture hanger) for mounting the finished piece.

Step 1: Select a Healthy Staghorn Fern

To ensure success, begin with a healthy staghorn fern. In my experience, ferns with a relatively flat shield—the brown, shield-shaped part at the base of the plant—are easier to mount. Vertical shields can be trickier, as they provide less surface area for attachment to the mounting board. Choose a fern with a broad, flat base for the best results.

Step 2: Mark the Mounting Area

Use a round object (such as a bowl or plate) to trace a circle on your wooden board. Ensure that the circle is at least an inch wider than the circumference of the staghorn fern you plan to mount. This extra space will allow room for the plant and any surrounding materials.

Step 3: Attach Nails for Mounting

Evenly space at least six nails along the edge of the circle you’ve traced on the board. Ensure there is about 1/4 inch of space between the nail heads and the surface of the board. Adding more nails will provide greater stability for the plant, so don’t hesitate to use additional nails if needed to ensure a secure mount.

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Step 4: Prepare the Base with Potting Soil

Place a small amount of potting soil inside the traced circle on the board. This will serve as a foundation for the staghorn fern, helping it to stay in place and providing essential nutrients for its growth. Ensure the soil is spread evenly within the circle area.

Step 5: Prepare the Staghorn Fern

Gently remove the staghorn fern from its pot, loosening (or tearing) the roots to leave just an inch or so of soil attached to the base of the plant. Position the plant on top of the potting soil you placed on the board in Step 4.

Step 6: Add Sheet Moss for Support

Tear pieces of sheet moss and press them around the base of the fern. Ensure the moss stays within the circle created by the nails, helping to secure the plant and keep moisture around its roots.

Step 7: Secure the Plant with Fishing Line

Tie one end of monofilament fishing line to a nail, then stretch it across the fern’s base to a nail on the opposite side of the circle.

Step 8: Wrap and Secure the Line

Wrap the fishing line around the opposite nail several times, pulling the line taut to secure the plant. Repeat this process with additional nails, ensuring the fishing line is tightly secured around the plant. For extra security, I wrapped the line around each nail twice.

Step 9: Test the Plant’s Attachment

After securing the plant with the fishing line, gently lift it vertically to confirm that it is securely mounted. I performed this step over a sink to catch any stray bits of soil, though little fell out. Once confirmed, use two screws and some twine to hang the mounted fern in a spot with filtered light.

Step 10: Care for Your Mounted Staghorn Fern

Now that your staghorn fern is mounted, it’s essential to care for it properly. Keep the plant in a spot with indirect sunlight, and make sure to water it regularly, ensuring the moss stays moist but not soggy. With the right care, your fern will thrive beautifully in its new home.

Faqs: Hanging Your Own Staghorn Fern: A Simple DIY Guide

What materials are needed to mount a staghorn fern on a wooden board?
You need a wooden board, nails, fishing line, potting soil, sheet moss, and a staghorn fern.

Why is it important to select a healthy staghorn fern with a flat shield for mounting?
A flat shield provides more surface area for mounting, making the process easier compared to a vertical shield.

How do you ensure that the fishing line securely holds the staghorn fern to the board?
Tie the fishing line around nails and pull it tight to secure the fern. Wrapping the line around each nail multiple times makes it more secure.

What role does sheet moss play in mounting the fern?
Sheet moss helps stabilize the fern and keeps moisture around the roots, promoting healthy growth.

How do you hang the mounted staghorn fern once it’s secured to the board?
Use screws and sturdy twine to hang the mounted fern in a spot with filtered light.