Platycerium bifurcatum or stag horn fern

The stag horn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) is an exit from the eikvarenfamilie (Polypodiaceae). The plant is native to Australia, where it grows as an epiphyte on trees.

The plant has two types of leaves: sterile and fertile. The sterile sheath recess or leaves are wide and round and support the drooping leaves fertile. They are often overlapping on the branch on which the fern grows. These sterile leaves slowly rot to form humus which the roots of the fern foraging. The fertile leaves are cut and shaped antlers (hence the name Dutch). They have boxes at the bottom track. The fertile leaves are much longer than the sterile leaves. To reduce evaporation and humidity to take this sheet coated with a layer of gray-felted.

In warmer climates, the plant in nature. In Europe, the plant used as a houseplant, the popularity changes. The stag horn fern grows best on a piece of bark or peat blocks. The pot is then filled around it with special ground for ferns or moss. It is best to hear the deer fern lime free water use (rain). The magazine should be regularly dusted with water, water is best achieved by immersion. Pieces of rotting peat or composted manure between the sterile leaves push stimulates the growth of new leaves. The plant is propagated by suckers to hoard. The plant is susceptible to aphids. Infestation by lice is more recognizable sticky leaves.

And yesterday i've made one in miniature:

Hugs,Marleen