How To Feed Bananas to Staghorn Ferns
Staghorn ferns (Platycerium spp.) are frost-tender plants native to the rainforests of the tropics. Growing upon other plants merely for support, these large-growing ferns need bright light, warm temperatures, rainwater and a balanced supply of nutrients from decaying leaf and insect litter that collects in the clumping base of foliage. A popular nutritional supplement often lauded in regions where staghorn ferns grow outdoors year round is the placement of a banana peel in the fern foliage base to provide potassium. Banana peels do not provide all nutrients necessary for good plant growth, however.
Eat a banana and retain the peel.
Toss the entire banana peel into the central core of the fern, into the basin of foliage on the top of the plant cluster. Massive ferns, those wider than 3 feet in diameter, may benefit if two peels are provided. Cut the banana peel with a paring knife into smaller sized pieces to better fit or nestle into the foliage basin if the staghorn fern is small and mounted on a trunk or wood lath plaque.
- Staghorn ferns (Platycerium spp.)
- Massive ferns, those wider than 3 feet in diameter, may benefit if two peels are provided.
Allow the banana peel to naturally decay in the staghorn fern. Natural rainfall or irrigation sprinkler spray can continue to shower the fern as the nutrients from the peel are absorbed gradually by the plant.
Supplement the nutrients provided by the banana peel's degradation with a slow-release granular fertilizer that is well balanced, such as a 10-10-10 formula, with micronutrients. Consult the fertilizer product label for a list of micronutrients. Sprinkle 1 tsp. of the fertilizer granules into the foliage basin of the fern. A balanced liquid fertilizer may also be used at half-strength every two weeks to shower the plant foliage.
- Allow the banana peel to naturally decay in the staghorn fern.
- Supplement the nutrients provided by the banana peel's degradation with a slow-release granular fertilizer that is well balanced, such as a 10-10-10 formula, with micronutrients.
Tip
Place banana peels in the staghorn only if in a well-ventilated area outdoors in a mild climate. Do not fertilize staghorn ferns in autumn and winter. Wait until the warmth of spring and summer.
Warning
Use an approriately sized ladder to place banana peels in the cluster leaf bases of staghorn ferns in hanging baskets or mounted in tropical tree limbs. The decaying banana peel is a nice supplement to provide nourishment to the fern in summer, but do not rely solely on the peels to provide a complete, balanced supply of all essential nutrients.
Related Articles
References
- "The Tropical Look"; Robert Lee Riffle; 1998.
Resources
Tips
- Place banana peels in the staghorn only if in a well-ventilated area outdoors in a mild climate.
- Do not fertilize staghorn ferns in autumn and winter. Wait until the warmth of spring and summer.
Warnings
- Use an approriately sized ladder to place banana peels in the cluster leaf bases of staghorn ferns in hanging baskets or mounted in tropical tree limbs.
- The decaying banana peel is a nice supplement to provide nourishment to the fern in summer, but do not rely solely on the peels to provide a complete, balanced supply of all essential nutrients.
Writer Bio
Jacob J. Wright became a full-time writer in 2008, with articles appearing on various websites. He has worked professionally at gardens in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Wright holds a graduate diploma in environmental horticulture from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Master of Science in public horticulture from the University of Delaware.
