Any ideas on what kind of Platycerium this is?

[Mandrew968]

This thing is gorgeous and was just wanting to get a tag on it. Thanks!

[tropicbreeze]

Platycerium superbum, although these look similar to P. grande. The 'boffins' haven't as yet decided on whether they are 2 different species.

 

[GeneAZ]

The spore-bearing frond is diagnostic of this as either superbum or grande.  You'll have to wait for that to form to be certain.

Gene

 

[Darold Petty]

"P. grande has fertile fronds with two equal lobes and two spore patches, whilst P. superbum has just one.  The INITIAL fertile frond of P. grande may also have just one fertile, undivided frond with one spore patch. "    page 71 of "Platycerium Hobbyist's Handbook" by Roy Vail, copyright 1984.

Who knows if this is still the accepted wisdom ?  (See also Gonzer's thread in Ohana Nui about hard copy resources vs the innertubes ) 

 

[Mandrew968]

Thanks a lot guys! I was thinking superbum, but am not an expert on staghorns. Nice!

[Moose]

"P. grande has fertile fronds with two equal lobes and two spore patches, whilst P. superbum has just one.  The INITIAL fertile frond of P. grande may also have just one fertile, undivided frond with one spore patch. "    page 71 of "Platycerium Hobbyist's Handbook" by Roy Vail, copyright 1984.

Who knows if this is still the accepted wisdom ?  (See also Gonzer's thread in Ohana Nui about hard copy resources vs the innertubes ) 

 

Darold, I actually have an old book on Plactycerium from the early 70's. Interestingly written by a collector from California. I still find it difficult determining species. Especially with different cultivars and forms. P superbum and P grande I get confused with. Neither pup so must be cultivated by spores. I purchased 3 small P grande from a local grower and did everything I was told to do, but they all carked. I guess I'm gonna have to part with some $$$ and get a large one that has a much better chance of making it.

 

At the recently held Tropical Fern and Exotic Plant Society auction, I was able to score a Plactycerium coronarium. I was told to mount it on a tree and with time it will eventually send out rhysomes and make remote pups. It needs to get mounted up high because it will produce massive cascading leaves. The shield fronds are rigid and held upright.

 

I checked on the Roy Vail book which he stopped printing in 2011. Its not a cheap book to acquire from the various online bookstores. I have issues about dropping $95 for a paperback book.