Look, between those trees!
It’s a deer! No- it’s a moose! No, it’s-
A staghorn fern, belonging to the genus Platycerium!

You might be surprised by the association of a tropical fern species to animals which usually dwell in more temperate regions. However, the striking semblance of Platycerium foliar fronds to stag antlers allows for a much more transparent delineation. After all, who can oppose the majesty of fronds nearly half of a meter in length?

Platycerium: An Introduction

Platycerium hail from tropical (and some temperate) regions of the globe, including Africa, Australia, South America, Southeast Asia, and in the southernmost portions of the U.S. state, Florida. Presently, there are eighteen identified species of the genus, but, as stated by the University of Florida, many cultivars and hybrids have made their way to the list of all Platycerium. In their natural habitats, these striking specimens can be found lodged within the cracks of rock faces or mounted to the sides of trees; such eccentric- and soil-less, might I add- growth patterns allow the genus’ species to be classified as epiphytes. Within this soil-free lifestyle, specimens survive by extracting water and nutrients from their surroundings, primarily through the basal fronds and root system, which is protected by the fronds’ shield-like structure.

The configuration of Platycerium is intriguing in its own regard, as can be deduced from the basal frond structure and function described in the paragraph above. Aside from their less-ornate and more heavily-structured basal fronds, Platycerium have ornate foliar fronds which protrude from the plant’s hive-like mounting center. Foliar fronds, as their name clearly states, are the foliage portion of the plant intended for reproductive purposes. Fuzzy, wax-like substances coat the foliar fronds of staghorn ferns and spores can be located on their undersides.

Whether they are grown in their humid natural habitat or in the (slightly) more arid confines of a bright-but-indirectly-lit apartment, staghorn ferns can grow to be a full meter in diameter, despite their distant height from the ground. This impressive size make them quite a spectacle to see in any abode (or in nature) and the definitive uniqueness of the plants have caused them to mount onto the hearts of urban junglists across the world.

Care Practices

First and foremost, these specimens are not particular fond of soil, as they are epiphytes. Well-draining soil can be used to plant these ferns, but they genuinely prefer to sink their roots into a well-draining medium like sheet or sphagnum moss. Specimens can be mounted on a plaque (as shown below) or in a pot.

Watering practices are a bit particular if one has selected to mount their fern, but otherwise, watering is not quite so exciting a venture. To water a specimen, (be it mounted or potted) pour water over all parts of the plant, as it is absorbed by each of the front persuasions as well as the root system. This should be done once every week (to week and a half) in hot, sunny weather, but can be toned down to once every two weeks in cool and cloudy weather. It is absolutely essential that you do not over-water any staghorn fern specimen! The University of Florida actually suggests that plants do best when allowed to wilt gently between waterings. Humidity is another water-involving factor which contributes to the overall well-being of specimens, and ferns should be kept in comfortably humid conditions.

In regards to fertilization and nutritional care, a variety of tricks lie in store to keep staghorn fern specimens on their A-game. As per usual, a fifty-percent dilute solution of 20-20-20 fertilizer can be used bi-weekly to properly feed any specimen. Another, slightly more peculiar practice, is to insert a banana peel behind the basal fronds of the plant where debris would collect if the plant were in its natural habitat. This positioning allows specimens to utilize the nutrients found in the decomposing matter, as is natural to their epiphytic nature. Banana peels in particular are used for their high values of phosphorus and potassium. For more information about this fertilization process, read SF Gate‘s article “How to Feed Bananas to Staghorn Ferns.”

The sunlight and temperature needs of Platycerium are very much attributable to their tropical habitat and epiphytic lifestyle. Plants thrive in bright, indirect sunlight, and should really be under these conditions for four to seven hours per day. Regarding temperature conditions, ferns shoud be kept well above freezing in the range between 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but should be monitored when conditions approach either end of the spectrum.

JOY US Gardening crafted a post for the sole purpose of pest and scale treatment, so please head over there for precise details pertaining to such care practices!

The sun rises over the gently sloping hills and quietly creeps into your flat. The first rays slowly crawl across the floor and make their way to your plant collection. Once there, they greet the open leaves of a plethora of plants, ready to absorb their – as well as the closed leaves of a few peculiar specimens belonging to the leuconeura species of the Maranta genus. These variously-verdant beauties are known more commonly as “prayer plants” for the pious vertical positioning of their leaves that comes with the arrival of dawn and dusk.

Maranta leuconeura: An Introduction

One particular species of Maranta, Maranta leuconeura, is the archetypal “prayer plant” which green thumbs consider when they encounter the name. Numerous cultivars of the species exist, each with its own unique coloration and vein structure. As explained by Barbara Pleasant of the blog “Barbara Pleasant” in the post “Getting to Know Maranta Plants,” Maranta leuconeura move as a result of fluid manipulations within the veins located at the bases of mature leaves.

As one can likely derive, these specimens and their fluid foliage hail from the American tropics and are subsequently classified as tropical specimens. As you will see later in the post, the natural habitat of these Maranta specimens provide the grounds for their care requirements.

Care Requirements

Maranta have shallow root systems, prefer to be planted in pan-like half pots, and further prefer to be rather snug in their pots; therefore, specimens require only small step-ups of one to two sizes when they become root-bound. According to Epic Gardening in their post “Prayer Plant Care – Growing the Maranta Plant,” however, this is not frequent to happen and one should not be immediately concerned about the size of their specimen’s pot upon its reception.

The soil preferences of Maranta are greatly tropical; well-draining, peat-based mediums are essential for the well-being of specimens, as those that retain water can cause root rot and helminthosporium leaf spot (information courtesy of Epic Gardening). Potting mixtures comprised of peat moss/humus, coarse sand, and loam are best-suited for the well-draining soil requirements of Maranta leuconeura and will promote plants’ overall health and aesthetics.

Contrary to prior suggestions, the water requirements of leuconeura specimens are only slightly touchy. These plants require their soil to maintain a light, continuous dampness throughout the growing seasons; during the dormant seasons, the top-most layer of soil can be allowed to dry out. Plant Rescue suggests watering Maranta with de-ionized, room-temperature water and further suggests removing all excess water from drip pans. Greater detail needs be paid to the direction of water streams while caring for the plant: water should not be poured directly onto the leaves of the plant or be held as excess within any potting container in order to avoid the development of fungal infections.

Fertilization is a practice that green thumbs caring for Maranta leuconeura should partake in. Specimens should be treated with water-soluble solutions every two weeks during the growing season, but this can be reduced to singular monthly treatment in the winter.

Although they do not enjoy doing the backstroke in their ports, Maranta do prosper in humid air conditions akin to those of their tropical homes. More in-depth air requirements for plants include year-round temperatures between 18 and 21 degrees Centigrade. Plants should not be exposed to temperatures below 12 degrees Centigrade.

Direct sunlight is not a requirement of Maranta leuconeura; instead, specimens prefer bright indirect sunlight or otherwise low-light conditions. Direct light can actually lead to leaf fading, browning (a conditions commonly referred to as “scorching”), and can lead to the eventual death of a plant. During the dormant season, specimens can be placed in well-lit locations away from direct sunlight.

Common pests that plague Maranta leuconeura specimens include aphids, mealy bugs, and spider mites; all of these can be taken care of using regular care methods, though, and spider mites should (according to Epic Gardening) be of little concern given the plants’ humidity preferences.

Maranta plants do blossom, so if you choose to take on leuconeura, look out for the beautiful but delicate blooms!

Imagine a figure adorned with glorious, intricate wings which stem from their back, the softly lobed tops stretching downward into delicate points… Now envision the shape of these appendages grafted onto a “cane,” or the woody stem of a plant. While this exercise in creativity might be absolutely silly, it is nevertheless a prelude to the natural phenomenon that is the angel wing begonia.

A More Developed Introduction

Angel wing begonias, known more formally as Begonia coccinea, are hybrid members of the expansive Begoniaceae family. These natives of sub-tropical and tropical South America were formally rendered from a cross breeding (a popular activity for begonia enthusiasts) of two particular begonia cultivars and can attribute their unique (yet undeniably attractive) appearance from their forebears. Unfortunately, little detailed information is available as per the history of the angel wing begonia, but a plethora of resources are available regarding the care and support of the species both within and without the urban jungle.

Before I delve too deeply into the care preferences of Begonia coccinea, I will impart some known details concerning the species’ growth pattern. Seeing as begonias are a widely-popular family of flowering plant, the angel wing assortment logically follows the prevailing trend. Cascading red, pink, or white flowers spill from the plant’s stems during late spring and summer, and characteristically-shaped leaves slope gently from their woody stalks. In proper conditions, this species can grow to heights of one and one half meters, with their stems producing a myriad leaves and colorful, hanging bunches of flowers.

 

Angel Wing Care

Although they may appear delicate and particular in care preferences, Begonia coccinea are actually some of the least fearsome members of the indoor gardens one can encounter. Many of the common care “tactics” for indoor plants are applicable to angel wings, and this relative comprehensiveness of care permits them to be common resits within the jungles of green thumbs all across the globe.

The first of the major care requirements of angel wings is sourced in their preference for well-draining soil. Because begonias are prone to root decay, Begonia coccinea must be potted in mediums consisting of coir or peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, and minimal amounts of potting soil/organic material. Potting medium is not the only concern regarding the housing of angel wings, though; specimens should be kept in ceramic, slay, or wooden vessels with drainage holes in their bottoms. The pot of choice should be one (at maximum two) sizes larger than the root ball, as the weight of a plant’s is enough to tip overly snug containers and as specimens generally prefer to be in more root-bound conditions.

Watering necessities follow the general trend for species planted in soilless mediums; specimens should be watered when the top one-to-three centimeters of potting medium is dry to the touch. As can be deduced from the species’ preference for well-draining mediums, over-watering poses an issue and results in yellowing leaves. Although these tropical flowerers do enjoy moderately humid air conditions, they are not to misted! Misting can result in leaf mildew and other undesirable leaf conditions.

Fertilizer can be used to encourage plant health and bloom, but solutions should be used in fifty-percent diluted form and should be applied such that they do not build up too heavily in a plant’s soil. According to Gardenologist, 20-20-20 fertilizer is the best suited for the needs of angel wings.

The sunlight needs of Begonia coccinea are very much similar to those of other tropical species prior discussed on this blog, which proves to be a result of the filtered light many plants receive in the tropical areas of their native lands. Bright filtered light provides the most adequate amount of drive for angel wings’ photosynthetic processes, but a specimen would most certainly not object to brief instances of direct sunlight. Such exposures to greater intensities of light should be monitored, however, as too much sun can cause browning and curling to appear on the ends of a specimens’ leaves.

Again, the tropical inclinations of the angel wing drive its care needs, this time pertaining to the particular range of temperatures in which the species thrives. As typical of tropical assortments, Begonia coccinea is intolerant of freezing, and beyond this, temperatures below 13 degrees Celsius. The optimal range for this species growth is known to be 13 to 24 degrees Celsius.