Hanging a tree fern, often referred to as mounting, involves a specific technique to secure the plant, typically to a board or vertical surface, allowing its unique fronds to cascade naturally. This method provides an ideal display for the plant while promoting healthy growth.
Preparing Your Tree Fern for Mounting
To successfully mount your tree fern, careful preparation is key. The goal is to create a compact, stable base for the plant before securing it to its chosen display surface.
Step-by-Step Mounting Process
Follow these steps to effectively hang (mount) your tree fern:
- Prepare the Fern's Root Ball: Begin by gently taking your tree fern and loosening the soil from its roots. It's crucial to ensure that most of the original soil is removed to facilitate the next steps. This helps the roots integrate better with the new moss medium.
- Form the Moss Ball: Take a generous amount of wet moss (such as sphagnum moss) and begin to form a firm ball around the cleaned roots of the plant. This moss ball will serve as the primary medium for the fern and provide essential moisture.
- Position the Plant: Carefully place the tree fern on top of the newly formed moss ball. Ensure that the shield fronds (the sterile, broad fronds at the base of the plant) are facing downwards, oriented towards where the bottom will be when the plant is finally mounted. This ensures the plant will look natural and grow correctly in its new vertical orientation.
- Secure the Mount: With the fern properly positioned on the moss ball, it's time to secure it to its mounting surface (e.g., a piece of wood, cork bark, or a pre-prepared board with nails). Using durable material like fishing line or twine, begin to wrap it tightly around the nails (or other anchor points on your mounting surface) and the moss ball. Continue wrapping until the fern is firmly attached and stable, ensuring it won't shift or fall.
Once mounted, your tree fern is ready to be displayed. Proper watering and lighting according to the specific fern species are essential for its continued health and vibrant appearance.
