What's eating my staghorn fern?

Staghorn ferns are epiphytes and relatively pest-resistant, but scale insects are their most significant threat, clustering on both fronds and the basal shield fronds. Mealybugs shelter in protected base areas, and spider mites attack during dry conditions. Because staghorns are often mounted, inspect the frond backs and around the base plate regularly.

Hard brown or grey bumps on fertile and basal fronds; yellowing patches on fronds; honeydew buildup leading to sooty mould. Scrape off manually with a soft toothbrush; wipe fronds with a cloth dampened with neem oil solution; apply horticultural oil spray; repeat monthly.

White cottony colonies at the frond base and under the basal shield; fronds yellow and growth weakens. Apply isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab to visible colonies; spray neem oil solution over the whole plant; treat every 10 days for a month.

Fine yellow stippling on frond surfaces; light webbing under fronds in hot, dry indoor conditions. Mist fronds regularly to maintain humidity; rinse the plant under a shower periodically; apply insecticidal soap spray and repeat weekly.