Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Platycerium Information

Platycerium is a genus of about 18 fern species in the polypod family, Polypodiaceae. Ferns in this genus are widely known as staghorn or elkhorn ferns due to their uniquely-shaped fronds. This genus is epiphytic and is native to tropical and temperate areas of South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Guinea1.
Close up of Elkhorn fern
Platycerium sporophytes (adult plants) have tufted roots growing from a short rhizome that bears two types of fronds, basal and fertile fronds. Basal fronds are sterile, shield or kidney shaped and laminate against the tree and protect the fern's roots from damage and desiccation.
In some Platycerium species the top margin of these fronds forms an open crown of lobes and thereby catches falling forest litter and water. Fertile fronds bear spores on their undersurface, are dichotomous or antler shaped and jut out or hang from the rhizome. The spores are born in sporangia clustered in large sori that are usually positioned on the lobes or at the sinus between frond lobes.
Some species of Platycerium are solitary having only one rhizome. Other species form colonies when their rhizomes branch or when new rhizomes are formed from root tips. If the conditions are right the spores will germinate naturally on surrounding trees. Platycerium gametophytes are a small heart shaped thallus.
Platycerium have diverged into four natural groups3. Several Platycerium are strongly adapted to xeric conditions and the drought tolerating mechanism Crassulacean Acid Metabolism has been reported for P. veitchii3.
Platycerium superbum
These oddly-shaped ferns can be found in gardens, especially tropical gardens. Staghorns can be propagated by spores produced on the underside of the fertile fronds. Colonial Platycerium can also be vegetatively propagated by carefully dividing large healthy ones into smaller, separate plants. These new plants can then be strapped to trees with an old stocking until they take to the tree themselves.
A mature staghorn can grow more than a meter wide. When positioned well, Platycerium species are able to add privacy and a natural look to a garden.

Article from Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platycerium

Germinated cycad seeds

We currently have the following germinated cycad seeds (rooted) and seedlings (with leaves) for sale.

E. Lanatus R8E. Bubalinus Blue R110E. Piet Retief R12
E. Lebomboensis Mananga R8
E. Muchi Blue R78
E. Longifolius Blue R8
E. Piet Retief R6
Please note that these are in addition to the ungerminated seeds we have for sale.

Come visit us from 08:00 to 16:00 Mondays to Saturdays! Please call for directions!

Rudolph Robbertze
Tropical Farms
Tel 012 379 8354
Cel 082 572 9347
Web http://tropicalfarms.blogspot.com
Email Rudolph80@saol.com

Cycad seeds currently available

We currently have the following ungerminated cycad seed for sale:

E. Lanatus R8
E. Bubalinus R80
E. Blue Muchi R45
E. Blue Longifolius R8
E. Piet Retief R6
E. Lebomboensis Mananga R5
E. Revoluta R3
E. Masinganus R8
E. Turnerii R30
E. Ferox R4
E. Eugene Marais R130
E. Middelburgensis R125
E. Dyerianus R140
E. Caffer R120
Stangeria R20

Germinated seeds also available.Various other SEEDLINGS also for sale from 1 months after germination to 3 years old.
Many seedlings and plants also for sale!! Come visit us from 08:00 to 16:00 Mondays to Saturdays! Please call for directions!

Robbie Robbertze
Tropical Farms
Tel 012 379 8354
Cel 082 572 9347
Web http://tropicalfarms.blogspot.com
Email Rudolph80@saol.com