FERNS
When planting out your new fern area, place the taller varieties at the back of the bed. Make sure that smaller plants are kept well away from vigorous growing varieties to prevent over crowding.

FERN CLIMBERS & GROUND COVERS
These are plants that can be trained up a trellis or just grown over the ground or rock walls in shaded areas.

TREE FERNS,
Cyathea spp. W.A. Kalgoorlie Gold
Only Dicksonia antarctica can be cut back, this procedure will not work with Cyathea spp. Dicksonia roots are present in the trunk so the top can be cut off and replanted back into the ground. Do not cut the top off of Cyatheas as their roots are at the base of the trunk in the ground. Reshooting can be due to spore germination, but soil and weather conditions control successful germination.

POTS
A lot of ferns can make excellent pot plants inside the house providing that they are placed in the right position. Close attention to keeping them moist, regular fertilizing, good light and disease free they will enhance any home and give a soft look on a centre table or in a corner.

HANGING BASKETS
Ferns growing in hanging baskets can add a relaxing, cool effect to shaded areas in large gardens or small court yard gardens.
When growing ferns in wire and fibre liner baskets, try and keep them shelterd from winds to help prevent the roots from drying out. The use of plastic hanging basket containers will protects the soil around the root ball and slows down the drying out process. If the temperature becomes very hot take the basket down and place it in a cooler position close to the ground.

FERN GROWING TIP:- Wire hanging baskets tend to dry out very quick during the hot weather. Soak once a week or when needed the whole container in a larger vessel until the bubbles stop rising. This method will saturate every part of the soil.

FERNS FOR ROCKERIES & SHADY GARDEN BEDS
There is a large selection of ferns to choose from to plant in retaining walls or rockeries that will cascade down creating a waterfall of fronds. Make sure to mix in some compost or Coprapeat into the soil before planting among the rocks. Ferns are ideal for growing under trees where it is too shady for general shrubs or lawns to grow.

ELKS AND STAGS (Platycerum family)
These plants are found around the world, mainly in the Sub Tropical regions, including Australia. There are approximatly 28 to 29 different species and sub species of plants. There is some debate as to the exact number of variations.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ELK AND THE STAG.
The Elk is a plant that multiplies, forming a series of eyes, whereas the Stag remains one large plant. The Americans have it the other way around, causing some confusion.

(Photo on left. Elkhorn)
MOUNTING AND FEEDING PLANTS
Staghorns and elkhorns are some of the most amazing-looking plants and, despite their exotic appearance, they are relatively easy to grow. The reason they look so different from most other plants is that they have adapted to survive in the treetops. Stags and elks are epiphytic, which means that they grow high up in the rainforest canopy. Stags and elks have minimal root systems (just enough to anchor them to the tree) but they've adapted to catch leaves, debris and rainwater falling from above. Unlike most other plants, which absorb water and nutrients through their roots, these ferns can only survive if they capture sufficient quantities of moisture and nutrients form the surrounding air.
Here are a few tips on growing them Your success depends on recreating their habituates these plants relish growing out in the wild:
1/ The best position is in light shade with occasional patches of sunlight (not hot afternoon sun filtering through, in dry climates). Although they'll cope with light frosts, these plants will need more protection in really cold areas.
2/ Good drainage is essential and easy to maintain if the plants are attached to a suitable backing board, as long as it does not contain toxic substances. Choose something long-lasting such as Jarrah. Although the ferns may grow attached to living trees in the rainforest, their presence attached straight onto the branches or trunks may be detrimental to the tree so it's best to attach them to something inert. Supports can be made of wood (Jarrah), recycled rubber or an existing tree stump. Tie the fern onto the backing with a soft tie made out of something like a strip of nylon stocking or plastic straps. If the elk or stag becomes very weighty, it's best to support it from beneath with some sturdy wire threaded through an old piece of plastic hose. This will prevent the wire cutting into the soft tissue of the fern. For South Australian conditions, we find that mulch is one of the better mediums to use behind the plant for it to grow on. It allows good drainage for the plant. Sphagnum moss is often recommended, but here it can hold too much water in the wet season, and becomes too dry in summer.
3/ Banana skins are traditionally used as fertiliser. Nourish lightly. Stags and elks have minimal nutrient requirements. After all, they usually exist on little more than the rotting leaves they've managed to collect. Don't overdo it: half a handful of organic Dynamic Lifter or Neutrog pellets will be enough for an established fern. Re-apply twice a year.
4/ If you'd prefer to use something non-smelly, apply half-strength Thrive every few weeks throughout the growing season. Healthy Staghorns and Elkhorns are usually relatively free of pests and diseases but they can suffer attack by scale insects and staghorn beetle. These small native beetles chew depressed holes in the leaf surfaces. At maturity they lay their eggs in the tips of the fronds and, after hatching, the tiny larvae tunnel their way through the bottom layer of the fronds. The adult beetles are often active at night, so they can sometimes be captured by hand with the help of a torch. Use scissors to trim the damaged fronds. Dispose of the clippings by sealing them inside a plastic bag. Treat sap-sucking scale insects by applying, low toxic, systemic Confidor or Systex. Spray thoroughly over the leaf surfaces and saturate the stored organic matter.
Don't worry about large brown felt patches that develop beneath the fronds: these are the spores, the dust-like particles that are the reproductive stage of these exotic plants.

SEASONAL MAINTENANCE

(Photo on left. Staghorn) which has been kept too dry.
Elks and Stags do not like to dry out. In most cases the back of the plant and the backboard become further and further apart.
This is caused by the material composting down into fine particles and washing away every time water is applied. When there is air space between the board and plant warm air will then quickly dry out the plant's base material.

Every year before the warmer weather approaches it is advisable to give the Elks and Stags a make-over.
a/ Check all over the plants to make sure that there are no fungus disease or insect pests. If so treat them accordingly. (See growing tips 4. above) If you are not sure what the problem is, cut off a leaf sample, place it in a sealed plastic bag and take it to your favourite Garden Centre.
b/ Trim off the dead leaves and if they are free from disease, tuck them in between the backboard and the back of the plant. (Do not pack any material between the board and the plant if there is no room.)
c/ Pack Sphagnum moss with a small amount of organic Dynamic Lifter or Neutrog pellets, behind the back board and the back of the plant if needed.