Question

Staghorn Fern- Sick- 3   QUESTION: Dear Dan Carmi:
I purchased a Staghorn fern just about one month ago, and, since it has been in my care, its health has steadily declined.  It is mounted on a solid piece of wood and hangs just inside my sliding glass door.  It does not receive direct sunlight except for a very short time at dusk (the door faces West).  Since acquiring the fern, I soaked it in the shower once a week and misted the leaves daily.

The plant does not look as healthy as when I had purchased it.  The leaves are curling and browning at the tips with a bit of white between the brown ends and the rest of the green leaves.  I am also seeing some white dots near the base of the leaves, which I don't think were there before.

Did I overwater the plant?  Does it now have an infestation?  I would greatly appreciate any help or advice.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Michael

ANSWER: Michael hi;

I will try to help but really need more information.  The photo you took (labelled # 3) is very close up.  Can you send one that captures the entire plant, maybe in its current setting?  I hate to imply this without seeing the whole plant, but from the photo it does not look like a staghorn at all but rather a different type of fern altogether!  Also, I wonder of you have the label that came with the plant?

Assuming this is a staghorn, here are my observations:

1. Overall, staghorns are epiphytic plants with fairly succulent leaves and very low water requirements.  From your description, overwatering is probably your core issue.  I would discontinue the misting and dipping altogether.  Instead, assuming the plant is properly mounted and has some sphagnum moss behind it, I would water gently behind the plant every 2 weeks or so.  You may need to come up with a technique to capture the runoff.
2. Your plant is displaying symptoms of a bacterial infection (it appears the base of the leaf is browning and turning to mush).  This condition probably existed before you ever got it but may have worsened, significantly, with excess water.  It cannot be cured so the only question is whether the plant can grow out of it with proper water management.
3. You may also have some mealybugs or scale.  I cannot see because it is a bit out of focus.  If the white spots are fuzzy or raised, that would be the case.  Try wiping them off with a wet rag soaked in 50% dish detergent.

Once again, I have to qualify my response until I take a better look at the plant as a whole.  I hope I have at least provided a broad direction of where to start.

DC
 



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


Staghorn Fern- Sick- 1   QUESTION: Thank you for your response to my question.  I would like to attach another image to see if that helps.  Unfortunately my photography equipment is limited to my very old IPhone camera.  Thanks again.  Please let me know if you can provide any more information.

-Michael

Answer
Well at least now we know it is a staghorn.

Overall, you are correct: it looks droopy and generally unhappy.

With the current information available to me (your description and photos), I believe it had been too wet and possibly too dark.

Try to find a spot with more natural light.  If the plant is indoors, try to find the brightest spot possible.  Also, try to follow my previous watering recommendation (but before you do any watering, touch the moss).  If it is still moist, then no additional water is needed.

Keep in mind that staghorns are slow growers and that the damaged leaves will never recover.

You will only see improvement if new fronds emerge which are nicer than the current ones.

I wish you the best of success and please feel free to follow up if my pointers did not help (or even better, if they did...)

DC