Saturday, June 20, 2009

Blueboy - A bifurcatum cultivar with a shapely form - named by Steve Talnadge, a nurseryman from Chula Vista, CA. If given enough light, the tomentum on the fronds will give a bluish hue to the fern- or so goes the tale and hence the moniker. Personally, I have yet to see it, but maybe one day in the right light it will happen.

The top three pictures are of my Sire which I acquired in May 2006 from Charles de France. This one receives more light than the others which gives it the lighter color and the upright fronds.

This staghorn fern can take temperatures from 40 to 95 degrees - they are kept outside year long. This cultivar prefers morning light or a dappled light all day with a mild breeze.

The mounting medium is AAA New Zealand Sphagnum Moss and then the fern is attached to redwood boards with 40lb monofilament fishing line, garden tape or other strapping material. When fertilizing - I use either Miracle-Gro or Superthrive every 3rd or 4th watering. While most of the mountings seem larger than necessary, this fern will cover the boards in 3 to 4 years.

There are various sizes of Blueboy that are currently available for sale. If interested please e-mail me at tomsstaghornferns@gmail.com.