Aidenc, Hortica is absolutely correct Staghorns grow the way they do so they can catch decaying plant material that falls off the host tree or rock for their own nurishment. A handfull of good potting soil stuffed into their root ball would be a welcome feast for your fern. If I might make a suggestion--if you can find cork bark to mount it on, you might find it easier than a plank, and it also generally will last much longer than a plank. The cork I am talking about is cut off the trees in sheets, can sometimes be found in lengths as long as 3 feet, and has a natural curl like it was growing on the tree when it was stripped off. Most people plant the staghorn on the outside of the curl, but I preferred to plant the fern inside the curl because the plant was easier to secure that way. Cork stands up under the almost always wet conditions produced by Staghorns much better than most wood. Good luck, Staghorns are wonderful long lived plants that really require little maintenance, and last a long time between mountings. It will eventually totally engulf its mount. Have fun Bill
