PLNTversePLNTverse
Plants › Staghorn ferns

Queen staghorn fern (Platycerium wandae)

Platycerium wandae is a large, perennial, epiphytic staghorn fern that naturally grows on trees. It grows as a single plant rather than a colony and is a wild species, not a hybrid or cultivar.

LightSources differ on light conditions: it can grow in full sun to partial sun and grows faster in full sun, but needs shade from strong summer exposure; young or indoor plants can receive bright, diffuse light, while mature
WaterIt is reported to benefit from thorough watering followed by a brief drying of the medium before watering again, avoiding prolonged wetness; watering is more frequent in the warm season and reduced in winter. The few ava
HumidityPlatycerium wandae prefers high humidity and needs good airflow.
TemperatureThe few available sources report an ideal temperature of about 26–30 °C. It is reported as frost tender and should be kept above freezing. It is sensitive to cold but not very sensitive to heat. It is also reported withi
Track your Queen staghorn fern in the PLNTverse app
Queen staghorn fern illustration

Overview

Platycerium wandae is a large, perennial, epiphytic staghorn fern that naturally grows on trees. It grows as a single plant rather than a colony and is a wild species, not a hybrid or cultivar.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ in their accounts of its native range in New Guinea, including western New Guinea in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It grows as an epiphyte on large trees in tropical rainforest, with some information placing it in low- to mid-elevation rainforest. Its habitat has a tropical, warm, humid rainforest climate.

Characteristics

Sources differ, but its mature height is reported at about 150–250 cm. Young plants develop conspicuous shield fronds before fertile fronds appear, and growth is faster with ample light. The shield fronds are tall and shield-shaped, with lobes in the upper portion, while the fertile fronds are strap-shaped, oblique or pendent and branch into unequal long and short lobes, with the longer lobe hanging down. The shield fronds are reported to have whisker-like lobes near them and to trap fallen leaves, dead twigs, and other organic matter that accumulates and decomposes as nutrients.

Light

Sources differ on light conditions: it can grow in full sun to partial sun and grows faster in full sun, but needs shade from strong summer exposure; young or indoor plants can receive bright, diffuse light, while mature plants suit medium to moderately strong light. It is reported to tolerate some direct sun.

Watering

It is reported to benefit from thorough watering followed by a brief drying of the medium before watering again, avoiding prolonged wetness; watering is more frequent in the warm season and reduced in winter. The few available sources report watering about every 2–3 days in summer and about every 7 days in winter. Generally, keep the root zone slightly dry.

Humidity and airflow

Platycerium wandae prefers high humidity and needs good airflow.

Temperature and dormancy

The few available sources report an ideal temperature of about 26–30 °C. It is reported as frost tender and should be kept above freezing. It is sensitive to cold but not very sensitive to heat. It is also reported within a warm USDA hardiness-zone range.

Growing medium and mounting

It grows on trees as an epiphyte and suits mounting on a board. It is reported to suit epiphytic culture on supports such as wooden boards, tree-fern boards, or bark, with roots wrapped in a medium such as sphagnum that provides both moisture retention and drainage; in pots, a humus-rich, well-drained medium is used.

Feeding

A balanced fertilizer is reported to be suitable, with feeding more frequent during active growth than in winter or for mature plants.

Propagation

It is reported to be propagated mainly by spores; because it grows as a single plant and produces few offsets, division is not considered the main propagation method. It is reported to rarely produce offsets, and its spore clusters occur near the base of the fertile fronds.

Common problems

In cultivation, staghorn ferns are reported to develop scale insects, with mealybugs also mentioned by some sources. Anthracnose is reported in cultivated staghorn ferns, while overwatering may cause root rot. Overwatering may lead to rot, insufficient water may cause browning or curling of frond tips, and low light may increase pest and disease problems. Because it is native to the tropics, warmth is important in winter, and general staghorn fern cultivation information advises protection from frost and low temperatures.

Identification

Platycerium wandae is among the largest staghorn ferns, with tall, crown-like shield fronds bearing conspicuous whisker-like or wrinkled structures near the growth center. Its strap-shaped fertile fronds have unequal long and short lobes, with spore clusters near the base of the fertile fronds.

Photos

Platycerium wandae
📷 Honymand · Public domain · source

Sources