How to Grow Stag Horns & Elk Horns

Choose a place in the garden that gets filtered sun and is protected from the afternoon sun.

Choose an appropriate support for the plant. This may be made of wood, recycled rubber or existing tree stump.

Tie the fern onto the backing with a soft tie made out of something like a strip of nylon stocking.

After securing the product to the backing board, place some organic matter between the board and the plant. This can be some potting mix, leaf litter or compost.

Securely fasten the board and the Staghorn to the wall.

Feed twice a year with a half a handful of Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser by placing it directly into the centre of the fern.

Ensure that the plant is not allowed to dry out and keep moist, especially in warmer weather.

Keep protected from frosts and strong winds.

Brown fatty patches can develop beneath the fronds. These are spores that represent the reproductive stage of the plant.

Scale is another sap-sucking insect that can damage the leaf. The best time to spray for this pest is in summer when the scale is young and easier to kill. To treat, spray with Yates Nature's Way Citrus & Ornamental Spray.

Mites, an extremely tiny insect that you can't see without the aid of a magnifying glass, is a sap-sucking insect that causes damage to the leaf. This insect can be controlled by spraying Yates Nature's Way Vegie & Herb Spray Concentrate.

This beetle lays its eggs near the tips of the fronds. The larvae then tunnels inside the foliage causing the leaf to blister and dry out. From the photo you sent, it could well be the insect that is causing the damage to your elks. There isn't an insecticide that will control this pest. The best way to control this beetle is early detection. In the morning, check your plants for this beetle. Remove them by hand and destroy them. If you notice the tips of the fronds have been damaged, cut off the damaged parts so the larvae aren't able to do further damage.

Keep Stag Horns and Elk Horns drier in winter and cool weather. Otherwise, they tend to rot. Move to a brighter position where possible.

Stag Horns and Elk Horns grow best in warm and humid environments. In dry and warm weather keep plants regularly water including wetting their leaves.

Stag Horns and Elk Horns can be mounted onto trees, fences, large pieces of timber, and also into hanging baskets.

Decide where you want to position your Stag Horn or Elk Horn on the backing, then draw a circle where it is to be placed.

Hammer in about six nails space even on the perimeter of your newly drawn circle, hammering each nail in halfway.

Position your Stag Horn or Elk Horn in the centre of the circle.

Cover the roots with sphagnum moss, or similar, so that none of the roots or soil is exposed.

Using a biodegradable line (e.g., string) suspend the end to one of the nails, then run the line across the moss until the plant is woven to the board.

Take the plant outside, then water it. Feed with Yates Dynamic Lifter Liquid Concentrate - this will also help to reduce transplant shock.