Platyceriums from Tamiami Orchid Show

[Cindy Adair]

Only after I mounted my little collection of Platyceriums did I think of doing a PT search. The topic above has a link to a very nice YouTube video. 
 

However. I happened to have some dead tree fern trunks so wanted to use them. 
 

The only thing I have ever done with this genus is to secure P. bifurcatum to trees or a stone wall and never water them. Nature was enough and they are fine. 
 

But my new ones include some small rarer ones and it is the dry season. 
 

As you see I have not attached hangers yet because I was told that P. ridleyi and maybe one more should be left horizontal?

I just packed them into the normal hole in the tree fern pieces adding sphagnum to both sides until they don’t move. 
 

I can certainly do things differently if I hear this is all a mistake! 
 

Not sure how much sun so starting in my shadehouse for recovery.

They are just on the floor pending suggestions and time to make hangers…

Thanks for helping me try to keep these alive.
 

 

 

 

 

[Jonathan]

Hi Cindy, I've only grown bifurcatum myself, but recently saw these articles by Jay Vannini which may be useful.

P madagasceriense

P ridleyi

[Cindy Adair]

Tremendously useful as I am sure this author knows his stuff.

I will study them. 

Thanks Jonathan!

[Cindy Adair]

I did read the excellent information in the links. 
 

I saw that in the photos the clump of sphagnum was mounded on top of the tree ferns and then tied with fishing wire. 
 

Yet I stuffed the clump of sphagnum into the hole in my tree fern supports so that the shield leaves are nearly flush with the top of the tree fern. 
 

It is not too late for me to push from the bottom and remove the Platyceriums and pile on sphagnum as shown in the links if it gives the plants a better chance?

I do like the really secure way they are now when with normal drying of sphagnum and shrinkage, I worry that the fishing wire would loosen and even fall off the support. 

And I hate to stress the poor plants again unless needed. 
 

Any thoughts?
 

[Jonathan]

Above my pay grade unfortunately Cindy! However, for what it's worth, the author is growing his ferns in a climate controlled greenhouse in California I think, so would probably need to be more cautious of fungal pathogens etc. You might have an easier time of it growing them outside in PR? I'd be inclined to leave them as they are perhaps.

[Cindy Adair]

Thanks Jonathan.

I do find far fewer growing issues in my shadehouse here than I had in two backyard greenhouses in Virginia so hoping that will help with these. 
 

I’ll post back here with updates, good or bad…

[happypalms]

A lovely little haul you have there some special treats for your garden. Palm trunks are free gardening real estate up for grabs. The tropical look just better in your garden.

[tropicbreeze]

Having an island climate with virtualy year round rain should have your Platyceriums growing extra well. The one I'd be wary of is the P. elephantotis. They come from a drier climate and I'd be concerned to keep it on the drier side during the dry season. I've always wanted to get one but haven't managed it yet. They're probably the only species that would have much chance here in my (untested) opinion. Our wet season is hot and very humid, but the dry season is far too hot and dry. Otherwise I have Platycerium species all over the place

[Cindy Adair]

Thanks so much tropicbreeze for your encouragement AND caution about elaphantotis. 
 

And happypalms, wow! Those photos are inspirational! I hope one day mine will be “palm jewelry” too!