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Platycerium willinckii (Platycerium willinckii)

Platycerium willinckii is a perennial herbaceous epiphytic fern that can grow attached to tree trunks, branches, boards, or rock surfaces. It produces offsets and forms clumps; its growth habit is also reported to be clumping.

LightSources differ in their descriptions of light: bright, abundant light without strong summer exposure is described as suitable, and Platycerium willinckii is reported to grow rapidly in all-day diffused light as well as u
WaterDuring active growth, maintain sufficient moisture while using a well-drained medium and allowing it to dry slightly between waterings; avoid prolonged excessive wetness that can cause rot, and reduce watering in cooler
HumidityIt is reported to prefer high humidity. It is reported to need good airflow.
TemperatureIt is reported to be frost tender; keep above freezing, and it is sensitive to cold. It is reported to be not very sensitive to heat.
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Platycerium willinckii illustration

Overview

Platycerium willinckii is a perennial herbaceous epiphytic fern that can grow attached to tree trunks, branches, boards, or rock surfaces. It produces offsets and forms clumps; its growth habit is also reported to be clumping.

Origin and habitat

Platycerium willinckii is reported to be native to Java in Southeast Asia. It is reported to be an epiphytic fern; in natural environments, Platycerium commonly grows on trees and can also grow on rock surfaces. It is associated with tropical conditions and, in cultivation, prefers warmth and needs protection from cold in winter.

Characteristics

A single source reports a mature height of about 10–150 cm; sources are few. A single source reports a mature spread of about 100–100 cm; sources are few. It is reported to have distinct shield and fertile fronds: shield fronds are green to yellow-brown, lie against the base, and have fringed lobes along their margins, while fertile fronds are long, narrow, strap-like, and pendent, with hairs on both surfaces that are more conspicuous on new fronds and become sparser as they mature. The pendent fertile fronds have antler-like branching at their tips, and growth is reported to be rapid with sufficient water, with offsets forming more readily.

Light

Sources differ in their descriptions of light: bright, abundant light without strong summer exposure is described as suitable, and Platycerium willinckii is reported to grow rapidly in all-day diffused light as well as under partial sun, with some summer shade and ventilation. It is reported to tolerate some direct sun.

Watering

During active growth, maintain sufficient moisture while using a well-drained medium and allowing it to dry slightly between waterings; avoid prolonged excessive wetness that can cause rot, and reduce watering in cooler periods. Sources differ on summer watering, giving a range of about 2–7 days. The reported root-zone moisture strategy is to let the root zone dry between waterings.

Humidity and airflow

It is reported to prefer high humidity. It is reported to need good airflow.

Temperature and dormancy

It is reported to be frost tender; keep above freezing, and it is sensitive to cold. It is reported to be not very sensitive to heat.

Growing medium and mounting

Platycerium willinckii grows on trees (epiphyte) and is reported to suit mounting on a board. When grown epiphytically, it is reported to be mountable on a board or similar surface, with sphagnum moss or another moisture-retentive but well-drained medium around the roots; for container culture, a humus-rich, well-drained medium is reported to be suitable.

Feeding

Sources differ on feeding practices: diluted balanced fertilizer may be used, with more frequent feeding during active growth and reduced frequency in winter or when growth slows; mature plants may also be fed less often.

Propagation

Platycerium willinckii can be propagated by dividing offsets or from spores; it produces offsets readily, and division is generally the more direct method in home cultivation. It is reported to often produce offsets. The spore-bearing clusters are reported to occur on the underside of the antler-like branches at the tips of fertile fronds.

Common problems

Platycerium in cultivation is reported to be susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs, and aphids. It is reported that excessive watering can cause rot, while insufficient water can cause frond tips to brown or curl; low light may increase pest and disease problems, and dry conditions require attention to humidity. It is sensitive to low temperatures and frost and needs warmth in winter; in hot summer conditions, shade and ventilation are recommended.

Identification

Platycerium willinckii is reported to have particularly long, narrow, pendent fertile fronds, shield fronds with fringed lobes along their margins, and a clumping form that readily produces offsets. Its spore-bearing clusters are reported to occur on the underside of the antler-like branches at the tips 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