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Platycerium willinckii (Platycerium willinckii)

Platycerium willinckii is a perennial herbaceous fern that grows as an epiphyte on trees and can also be cultivated attached to boards, tree-fern boards, rocks, or similar surfaces. It is reported to have a clumping growth habit.

LightPlatycerium willinckii grows in bright diffused light to partial sun and tolerates some direct sun; it grows faster under all-day diffused light, while summer conditions call for shade and ventilation.
WaterMaintain adequate moisture without prolonged wetness, allowing the medium and root zone to dry briefly between thorough waterings; excessive watering may cause rot. Sources differ on a summer watering interval of about 7
HumidityPlatycerium willinckii needs good airflow and is reported to prefer high humidity.
TemperaturePlatycerium willinckii is sensitive to cold and is reported to be not very sensitive to heat. A limited source describes both a lower and an upper temperature limit, without a confirmed numerical range here.
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Platycerium willinckii illustration

Overview

Platycerium willinckii is a perennial herbaceous fern that grows as an epiphyte on trees and can also be cultivated attached to boards, tree-fern boards, rocks, or similar surfaces. It is reported to have a clumping growth habit.

Origin and habitat

Platycerium willinckii is reported to be native to Java in Southeast Asia. It is an epiphytic staghorn fern; members of the genus naturally grow on trees and may also occur on rocks. It occurs in tropical environments and prefers warm conditions, with warmth needed in winter.

Characteristics

Few sources report a mature height of about 10–150 cm and a mature spread of about 100–100 cm. It is reported to grow faster when adequately watered and in all-day diffused light, with adequate water also encouraging offset formation. It has distinct shield and fertile fronds: shield fronds lie against the base, cover the roots, are often green to yellow-brown, and have fringelike marginal lobes, while fertile fronds are narrow, strap-shaped, and pendent, ending in antler-like forks. The fertile fronds are reported to have hairs on both surfaces, more conspicuous on young fronds and becoming sparser as they mature.

Light

Platycerium willinckii grows in bright diffused light to partial sun and tolerates some direct sun; it grows faster under all-day diffused light, while summer conditions call for shade and ventilation.

Watering

Maintain adequate moisture without prolonged wetness, allowing the medium and root zone to dry briefly between thorough waterings; excessive watering may cause rot. Sources differ on a summer watering interval of about 7 days. A limited source reports a winter watering interval of about 7 days, while watering frequency should be reduced in winter or during cool, cloudy conditions.

Humidity and airflow

Platycerium willinckii needs good airflow and is reported to prefer high humidity.

Temperature and dormancy

Platycerium willinckii is sensitive to cold and is reported to be not very sensitive to heat. A limited source describes both a lower and an upper temperature limit, without a confirmed numerical range here.

Growing medium and mounting

Platycerium willinckii grows on trees as an epiphyte and is reported to be suitable for mounting, basket culture, or potting. It is reported to grow mounted on boards or similar surfaces using sphagnum moss or another moisture-retentive but well-drained medium; when potted, a humus-rich, well-drained medium can be used.

Feeding

A balanced fertilizer is reported to be suitable; during the growing season, feeding frequency varies with cultivation method and plant maturity, and mature plants may need feeding less often than young plants.

Propagation

Platycerium willinckii can be propagated from offsets or by division, while propagation from spores is also possible; for home cultivation, offsets are easier. It readily forms offsets and clumps and is reported to often produce offsets. The spore-bearing clusters are reported to occur on the undersides of the antler-like forks at the ends of fertile fronds.

Common problems

Scale insects, mealybugs, and aphids are reported as possible pests. Reported problems include anthracnose and rot associated with excessive watering; insufficient water may cause brown or curled frond tips, and low light may increase pest and disease problems. It is sensitive to frost and low temperatures and needs warmth in winter; in hot summer conditions, shade and good ventilation are important.

Identification

Platycerium willinckii is reported to be a staghorn fern that readily produces offsets and forms clumps, with particularly prominent slender, pendent fertile fronds. Its spore-bearing clusters are reported to occur on the underside near the antler-like forks at the ends of the fertile fronds.

Photos

Platycerium willinckii
📷 Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Platycerium willinckii
📷 Bernard DUPONT, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · CC BY-SA · source

Sources