I had a staghorn fern when I lived in FL that was quite large and heavy so I was trying to think of a way to mount my new "baby" fern in such a way that it would be secure, could be hung, and it could grow as naturally as possible.

My new "baby" staghorn fern...



I was in my basement and spotted an old fan that didn't work when the proverbial "light bulb" went off!! I took the fan and removed the motor and opened it up into 2 halves...



I lined the bottom half (the front of the fan) with moist sphagnum moss and mounded a mixture of potting soil and perlite with a little Osmocote time-released fertilizer in the middle and then I covered that with another layer of sphagnum moss and reattached the top half of the cage (the side with the hole for the motor)....



I placed the fern into the potting soil through the hole in the cage and secured it firmly with heavy fishing line...and attached the plant name tag.



The cage is very sturdy and will allow the fern to grow around it as time goes by. I plan to leave it flat until enough base fronds grow to attach it onto the cage then hang it by chains etc.

I think it turned out pretty well if I do say so myself!!

with you Kim. This fan cage could work as a vertical planter for succulents too, hmm....

That's a good idea too. I am also thinking about making a couple for the "footed" ferns like squirrel's foot, kangaroo foot etc!

Really great idea.

Inspiring!

Hi Tiffany!! I spent 3 years living in Dothan, AL....I know where Opp is!! :D

Kim that is such a great idea. How fast to Staghorn ferns grow? I've never had one.

I can see a run on all the Garage/Yard sales.

They are not fast growers...it should take several years to make a good covering on this mounting. The biggest thing is to watch the watering since this will drain very well.

I have no concept of how much water and how often they would need it? Do you just mist them?

I generally water mine about every 3-4 days depending on how dry the weather has been...kinda like any fern you don't want them to dry out completely or be soaking wet either. If it's been very dry humidity then I mist them also. I usually just spray the whole plant with a gentle hose spray since I have it outside. This winter when I bring it inside I will probably just set it in the kitchen sink and soak it for a little bit every few days....

It's beginning to sound easier to care for. I'll have to think about it. I sure love them those. I have seen some really large ones that were just amazing.

LOL! I notice you said you know where Opp is, not that you've been here, totally diff things right? Was Dothan Nursery there when you lived there? That's the nicest/best plant place I've found since moving to AL a few years ago.

After mentally digesting your pic s'more, I got the idea that old fans would make good trellises for vine plants.

And what about adding air plants (Tillandsia) to the outer edges of your fan fern?

I "think" I have been to Opp...I left AL in 1981 so it's been quite a while. Have you heard how Opp got it's name??? Was suppose to be the Land of Opportunity but nothing happened!!

Like the idea of making an "air plant" cage!!

Great idea I will have to try some day

it is a fantastic idea! especially since it can be hung vertically flat against the wall. and you can possibly use smth else as base, even chicken wire - so you'll have two front wheels to work with. or you can hang it loose and have two! ferns growing on both sides. though they will need some other support until established.
oh! you can use chicken wire as base and establish them first flat, and after that wire two halves together :).
it should work for orchids or small broms too. i am always looking for some kind of wire-style forms. i think the fan 'basket' looks really stylish too.

I agree a great idea. PLEASE submit this as an Idea.