How to Trim a Staghorn Fern

Staghorn ferns are an epiphytic plant that can grow in soil-free environments, like on trees or mounted on boards. Staghorns produce green, fertile fronds that make up the foliage, and sterile shield fronds. Shield fronds cover and protect the roots and grow on top of each other. They brown as they age and eventually decompose, creating a built-in composting system for the plant. Trimming staghorns involves removing damaged fertile fronds and dividing the plant when the shield frond mounds are too large.

Things You'll Need

• Shears
• Knife

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Cut off any of the green fronds that have been damaged during planting. Use sharp shears and cut them off at the base. Do not cut off shield fronds, even if they look old and damaged. They brown naturally.

   • 2

     Cut back any fronds that show evidence of insect infestation or disease. Cut them back to the base, as well.

   • 3

     Cut away any offsets, also known as pups, with a sharp knife. Offsets are new plants that grow on the shield fronds and have their own rhizomes. Cut all the way through the shield fronds around the offsets and remove them.