Episode: 4
Title: Epiphyte story; How to Grow Stag and Elk Horns on Tree Trunks
Broadcast: 26th September 2015
Presenter: Nigel Ruck

Epiphytes are a fascinating group of plants that includes bromeliads, birds nest ferns, mosses, stag and elk horns.

• A great elk horn fern should be big and bulbous with lots of fronds coming forward from individual eyes and that is what separates the elk from the stag horn. The stag has big sealed leaves with just a few fronds whereas the elk horn has masses of fronds.
• An elk horn that has fallen off the tree does not look like it is worth saving but that is not the case.  Firstly, use a old garden saw to cut the parts of the elk horn that is rotten and died off and mount the good stuff. It is viable to use an old saw as the roots and fibrous matter will blunt the saw.
• In nature, it will grow from a very small spore or branch of a tree and gradually get bigger, but for us to do it, attaching it on to a backing board like a beautiful old hardwood to protect the tree and the option to hang it on a wall as well.
• The next stage is to attach the elk horn on the hardwood. It is going to be nice and strong so drill through two holes, one in each side and secure it with a piece of galvanized wire.
• Well, there you a go, a resurrected elk horn and a piece of garden art. It does not need much moisture especially in the winter and placing a banana skin on the elk horn would provide it the potassium that ferns love.