I came across this fern last night and now I totally want one! Problem: is it hardy or can it be moved indoors during winter? What are the growing conditions of this fern? I'd love to have it growing against my neighbours tall, north facing shed. It would be a total eyecatcher.

Arico, I propagate and grow staghorns commercially, but don't grow the superbum. They are just too "monstrous" and their size and weight would be problematical for me to move them around. All staghorns, regardless of variety (there are only 17 known varieties in existence) are tropical plants and won't take freezes or heavy frosts. You would have to move this baby inside when your nighttime lows get below 40F. Staghorns are epiphytic plants and this particular one would have to be in a large, heavy wire hanging basket or mounted on some kind of heavy wood or heavy wire panel. I start my "baby" ones in well-draining potting mix, but as soon as the fronds get around 8" long, they will be mounted, sans soil.

I like the superbum varitety too... Also being that I'm a lot younger, almost 29 so i could handle the heavy lifting. and they don't start out gigantic. i might get one next spring if i can. I hear lost world nurshery and fern factory carries them.


Just be prepared for the size.

Plantsmylove said: I like the superbum varitety too... Also being that I'm a lot younger, almost 29 so i could handle the heavy lifting. and they don't start out gigantic. i might get one next spring if i can. I hear lost world nurshery and fern factory carries them.


Just be prepared for the size.

Unfortunately I don't live in the US :p I've not yet come across anyone in Europe growing/selling these

Perhaps some of the larger, commercial US growers have the necessary permits to ship internationally, Lee-Roy.

drdawg said:Perhaps some of the larger, commercial US growers have the necessary permits to ship internationally, Lee-Roy.

Perhaps Ken, but then I still want to know if it would be possible to grow one here. Need more research first

Lee-Roy, IF you have never grown a staghorn fern, may I suggest you find you a nice "baby" bifurcatum and grow it for a year or so. You won't have much investment, the bifurcatum is a good grower, and you can learn how to grow a stag. before moving to a harder-to-grow staghorn. I know the bifurcatum is grown successfully in all areas of the US because I have shipped many dozens of them to states from coast to coast, and from the Canadian border to the Mexican border. Heck, I just shipped out thirteen of them today. They are not hard to grow well and I would be more than happy to send you growing instructions, the same instructions I send when I ship my plants out. I have to bring all my staghorns inside before November, and they will remain inside until March/April, depending on the long-range weather forecast.

i think he offers good advice the regular stag horn will not get as nice true but it will be your gateway if you will into this exciting hobby.

If you don't mind me butting in your conversation I purchased a Dutch Staghorn fern (that's what was on the tag) and is the first Staghorn fern I've ever had. I really don't know much about them but when I saw that you said they needed to be brought in when the temps dropped I went outside a few minutes ago at 12:15a.m. And got it and put it in my garage until tomorrow anyway. The temps are getting down to the low 40's tonight. I would welcome any information you could give me about caring for this plant. Thank you. Donna

There is no such thing as "butting in", Suga. You should always feel welcome to post on any thread.

You don't have the Superbum though. You have the Platycerium bifurcatum 'Netherlands'. I have grown 100's of this variety and these plants will handle even upper 30's without problem so long as it is not prolonged. You just don't want it outside when the temperature dips below 35 F. Watch the garage though. With prolonged cold, the garage can/will be the same temperature as the outside temperature.

Check out my website for some information on growing/mounting staghorn ferns. If you need specific information not covered there, just contact me.

Ok thank you so very much!!! I certainly will check out your website