Free Platycerium Bifurcatum Plants

An extraordinary plant with strange-looking fronds and a lop-sided habit of growth. The Platycerium produces two types offrond: sterile, shield-shaped fronds, which anchor the plant to its support: and fertile, antler-like fronds. The plant can either be grown in a hanging pot or basket or attached to a piece of cork bark and hung on a wall. Cover the root ball with a mixture ofsphagnum moss and sphagnum moss peat, and attach the sterile fronds to the bark using plastic coated wire. Water the plant by either spraying the moss or immersing it in water for a few minutes.

Plant type : Fern with unusual prostrate habit
Season of interest : All year round
Size : 15-45cm (6—18in)
Flower : None
Leaf : Two distinct frond types: sterile frond at base of plant and wrapped around support; fertile frond prominent, antler¬ like, 30-90cm (1 -3ft) long, green
Temperature : 18-24°C (64—75°F)
Aspect/Light : Moderate to reasonable light, but away from direct sunlight
Humidity : Moderate to high
Watering : Evenly moisten compost throughout year, allowing to dry just a little before re-watering
Feeding : Once every four to six weeks with half strength houseplant fertilizer in spring and summer
Propagation : Collect spores from underside of fertile fronds and scatter on seed and cutting compost at 21°C (70°F) in spring and early summer
Potting : Mixture of sphagnum moss, peat and bark
Problems : Scale insect
Availability : Occasionally available throughout year
Uses indoors : Feature plant grown singly or in twos or threes, in hanging basket or pot or attached to cork bark hung from wall