El elkhorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) is a lovely fern with a very odd appearance. You can see from the cupped and lobed leaves why it got its name elkhorn bracken. Naturally, it lives as an epiphyte. This means that it likes to climb and grow on other living plants, preferably trees. It doesn’t steal water or nutrients, it just uses the tree as a mount.
In addition to the green leaves, which have a silver-grey coating as protection, the elkhorn bracken in the center of the plant has hard brown leaves that support the green long leaves. These must not be removed. In the picture you can see some brown leaf tips. These are not dry leaves, but collections of spores.
Elkhorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) Care Guide
An elkhorn bracken usually becomes a bit of a “guardian”. You start with a small sample that grows and develops in a personal way. Small new leaves grow and form a plant with a special appearance, the bigger the more beautiful. It thrives in light but not in direct sun. The temperature can be between 18 and 25 degrees. In winter, it can withstand even lower temperatures. in summer it thrives outdoors with wandering shade in a sheltered spot. Water with fertilizer every third watering. If it needs to be replanted, you can use orchid compost mixed with regular potting soil.
Source of text: Blekingeplantan
