Are you looking to preserve deer antlers, mount a staghorn fern, or display a variety of art pieces? Look no further than foamboard! This lightweight alternative to mountboard can be cut to any shape or size and is perfect for these applications and more. Read on to learn more about how to mount and display your prized possessions with foamboard.
Mounting a Staghorn Fern: Materials and Methods
When it comes to mounting a staghorn fern, cedar wood is the best choice. This type of wood is highly rot resistant, meaning that it can stand up against the aggressive watering required for this type of plant. Additionally, because staghorn ferns are so closely connected to the wood they are mounted on, you want to make sure that you select something that will last a long time. Therefore, when selecting your materials for mounting a staghorn fern, be sure to choose cedar board.
When it comes to the size of the board, you want to make sure that you choose a board that is at least twice the size of the fern base. This is important because staghorn ferns can grow quite large over time, so having a larger mounting board will help ensure that your plant has plenty of room to grow. Ideally, you should select a board that is much larger than twice the size of your fern base so that your plant has plenty of space for growth.
In addition to cedar boards, there are several other options for mounting a staghorn fern. Any type of support can be mounted to a Platycerium, so if you live in an area where they are hardy, you can mount them onto a plaque or board on a log, hang them from a basket or even attach them to the bark of tree. Whichever option you choose for mounting your staghorn fern should be able to provide enough support for the plant and allow it plenty of room for growth.
Once you have your board and other materials ready, it’s time to mount the fern. Staghorn and elkhorn ferns will attach themselves to the boards over time, but in order for this process to be successful, you need to ensure that they are mounted securely with twine, fishing line or nails. The green fronds at the base of the plant are sterile and called basal fronds; these can be used as anchors when mounting your staghorn fern.
It is important to use clear fishing line or twine to secure the fronds in place so that they do not start slipping off of the board. Additionally, it is advisable to have some sphagnum moss and sheet moss (optional) on hand as these can help keep your fern hydrated and healthy.
Caring for a Staghorn Fern in the Bathroom
Once you have your board and fronds properly attached, it is time to water your staghorn fern. It is important to remember that because this type of plant is so closely connected to the wood, the board needs to be kept moist at all times. This can be done by misting the plant and its surroundings with a spray bottle filled with distilled water or rainwater. Additionally, it is important to make sure that any excess water from misting does not sit on top of the fern’s fronds as this can lead them to rot away over time. It is also recommended that you soak your staghorn fern in a bucket of distilled or rainwater for about 15 minutes every two weeks or so. This will help ensure that all parts of the fern are getting enough moisture, which will promote healthy growth over time. Once you have soaked your staghorn fern in a bucket of water, be sure to let it drip dry before placing it back onto its mounting board.
When it comes to light, staghorn ferns prefer bright indirect sunlight. This is because they are used to having the sun filter through tree canopies in their natural habitat. To achieve this in your home, you can use a sheer curtain or blinds on your windows to keep the sunbeams from damaging its fronds while still allowing it 4-7 hours of light per day.
When it comes to watering your staghorn fern, it is advisable to allow the plant medium to dry out in between waterings for good staghorn fern care. They need to be fertilized once per month with a 1:1 ratio fertilizer diluted in water. This will help ensure that your plant is getting all of the essential nutrients it needs for healthy growth. Unfortunately, due to a fungal disease known as black spot, the plant is susceptible to this disease and should be monitored closely for any signs of infection.
So, is a bathroom a good place for a staghorn fern? Absolutely! Staghorn ferns are not only air-freshening plants for bathrooms and showers, but also cheerful additions to any room. As long as you provide your plant with the right amount of light and moisture, it should thrive in your bathroom and bring life to your walls.
In order to keep your staghorn fern healthy and happy, it is important to remember that when mounted on a piece of wood, the Staghorn Fern should be placed on the surface of the wood and sphagnum moss should be mounded around the base of the plant. This will help hold hydration around its root system and provide an extra layer of protection from any potential diseases or pests. Spagmoss brand New Zealand sphagnum moss is perfect for this application as it contains natural antifungal properties which can help prevent black spot from affecting your staghorn fern.
Finally, it is important to remember that the staghorn fern will need protection from cold temperatures in the winter. It is possible to protect your staghorn from frosts by placing it under a tree or on a porch.
Mounting a Staghorn Fern on Deer Antlers
For those who are looking for a more traditional way to mount a Staghorn Fern, hanging the fern on deer antlers is a popular option. This can be done by sawing the antlers off of the skull plate and attaching them to a plaque or board. Keeping the deer antlers intact with the skull plate is often preferred as it helps preserve their natural beauty and gives them an extra layer of protection from any potential damage. In order to hang your staghorn fern securely, you must remove both antlers from the skull plate by sawing them into the front of both eyesockets and behind them. Once you have removed your deer antler, it’s time to prepare it for mounting your staghorn fern. First, make sure that all excess flesh has been removed from inside and outside of each eye socket as well as around any other crevices where dirt may have collected over time. Next, use fine grit sandpaper or steel wool to gently scrub away any remaining dirt particles before wiping down each eye socket with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide in order to disinfect it completely. Finally, attach some sheet moss (optional) onto each side of your plaque or board in order for there to be something for your staghorn fronds anchor into once they start growing outwards over time; this will ensure that they stay attached securely without slipping off due its weight overtime when filled with water droplets after misting .
Preserving Deer Antlers for Long Term Use
Once you have prepared your deer antlers and mounting board, it’s time to preserve them for a lifetime of use. The easiest way to do this is to remove any remaining tissue from the skull plate and coat it with borax powder. This will help prevent any potential humidity issues or bugs from affecting your staghorn fern’s mount over time. Additionally, be sure to keep an eye on the humidity levels in your home as this can affect the longevity of your antler mount. If there are too many fluctuations in humidity, then you may need to invest in a dehumidifier for extra protection against moisture damage.
Mounting a Staghorn Fern with Foamboard
Alternatively, if you don’t want to use deer antlers or cedar boards for mounting your staghorn fern, foamboard is another lightweight option that can be cut to any shape or size. Foamboard is ideal for mounting and displaying a variety of drawings, paintings and photographs as it is much lighter than mount board. Additionally, foamboard can also be used to create 3D shapes which will further enhance the look of your staghorn fern’s mount. Before using foamboard for your project, it is important to ensure that you are using an acid-free version as this will help protect the artwork from fading over time due to exposure from sunlight and other environmental factors. Once you have chosen the correct type of foamboard for your project, measure out a piece that will fit onto whatever surface you are using; this could be a wall or even just on top of a shelf or table depending on where you would like your staghorn fern displayed. Once measured out correctly and cut accordingly with either scissors or an X-acto knife (depending on the thickness), use double sided tape to attach it securely onto its surface before adding some sphagnum moss at its base in order to provide extra hydration around its root system when misting occurs later down the line. Finally, attach some sheet moss (optional) onto each side of your plaque or board in order for there to be something for your staghorn fronds anchor into once they start growing outwards over time; this will ensure that they stay attached securely without slipping off due its weight overtime when filled with water droplets after misting .
Conclusion
When mounting boards for staghorn ferns, it is important to use rot-resistant wood like cedar that can last a long time. Cedar is the ideal material to use due to the aggressive way the ferns are watered and the fact that they are so closely connected to the wood. Mounting boards should be at least twice the size of the fern base, but ideally much larger, in order to provide adequate support and allow the fern to grow. Additionally, the fern should be kept in a light, indirect light environment and be given enough hydration and fertilizer for optimal care. With the right conditions, mounting boards, and supplies, staghorn ferns can be enjoyed for years.