Platycerium First Timer

[CalexCapitan]

I am a new grower of platycerium; first time, in fact.  I recently purchased a plant from a local nursery (pics attached).  I looked many places before buying this plant because most of the ones I found were already mounted and cost $60, $80, $100 or more.  The platy I finally decided on looked healthy and was $20.  I also was able to collect some spores from a sister plant in the same variety.  I plan to let the potted fern continue to grow for awhile, then I want to split it up.  The spores, I want to sow them next week and will chronicle the exploration with updates in the future.  For now, I need help in identifying the strain I have.  I think it looks like bifurcatum, but I do not have enough experience to know for sure.  Does any else have a guess as to what strain of platycerium I have here?

[wanna]

Hi Calex,
Welcome to Iloveferns forum   I am happy to see you here.
This Platycerium fern is P. bifurcatum. This species forms pups easily. you should repot it to a bigger basket and then you will see your first Platycerium fern have many babies in next year. 

[wanna]

Do you have any peat moss for sowing spores yet? 

[CalexCapitan]

Hi Wanna, thank you for the warm welcome.   

So, it is bifurcatum.    I guessed correctly!  I will follow your advice and transfer to a bigger pot to get some pups.      

I don't have any good peat moss, so I need to buy some.  Do I need to prepare the peat in any special way before sowing the spores?

[wanna]

I sterlize peat moss by microwaves for 20 minutes. if not the peat moss always had fungus growth.

[CalexCapitan]

Thanks for the tip!  I will sterilize the peat in a microwave before sowing spores. 

I'll take photos of the process and post them in the forum over time. 

[wanna]

Thanks for the tip!  I will sterilize the peat in a microwave before sowing spores. 

I'll take photos of the process and post them in the forum over time. 

ok, I will wait to see. 

[Nampoo]

มาดูสองคนข้างบนเค้าจีบกัน  พี่อุ๊  มีกิ๊กอ่ะ   
Welcome to  Iloveferns Forum.Your Bifurcatum is very beutiful.

[CalexCapitan]

Thank you    I am excited to add this category of plants to my garden.  I also like to grow fruit trees and succulents.

[Nampoo]

Do u like thai fruit?
Wanna's home  is very beatiful garden in Chantaburi.

[CalexCapitan]

I love all kinds of fruit.    Of the fruits that are grown in Thailand, I've had mahng-koot, ngaw, and turian.  Hopefully, I spelled those correctly.  Also, more common fruits like coconut, banana, etc.

I grow lemons, limes, oranges, and thinking about adding Granny Smith apples because they are so tart and delicious.  125  I live in the city, though, so my garden is tiny compared to Wanna's. 

You are quite the green thumb, Wanna! 

[wanna]

Thanks kah
my farms have all that fruits you like. if you have a chance to come to Thailand, don't forget to visit my farms.
and I wanna see your tiny garden too.
by the way, I will send P. superbum spores to you today na.
 

[Nampoo]

Yes,you spelled correctly.
Do you have a plan to go to Thailand? 

[CalexCapitan]

Thank you for sending the spores, Wanna!  You are so kind.   

I used to live in Thailand when I was a little kid, but that was many years ago.  I do plan to visit again within the next few years.  In fact, for my work, I hope to be spending more time in the South Pacific region in 4-5 years and plan to frequent Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and other emerging markets in Southeast Asia.  When I do begin traveling, I will certainly come to your farms and check out your store.  Maybe have some of that delicious lunch, too.    

[wanna]

ok, we should have dinner too. hehehe