Platycerium bifurcatum ‘Netherlands’ Mounted on Grapewood (Staghorn Fern)

These are real California grapevine pieces—harvested, cut, tumbled, and sandblasted to reveal the grain underneath. They twist. They knot. They fork. Where cedar is uniform and predictable, grapewood is the opposite: every piece has its own line, its own weight, its own character. Mount a staghorn on it and the two elements start a conversation. The fern's forked antler fronds repeat the branching of the wood. The papery brown shield fronds press flat against the grain. It reads less like a plant in a container and more like something that grew there.

Two ways to display it:

· Hanging — A long, vertical piece, strung and ready to suspend. Roughly 18 inches high by 4 inches wide. Works well at eye level, in a bright window, or on a covered porch.
· Sitting — A shorter, broader piece with a flat base that rests stably on a shelf, desk, mantle, or plant stand. Roughly 13 inches long by 5 inches wide.

On the wood selection: grapewood pieces are chosen at random, and that's deliberate. The shape of the wood determines how the fern sits—where the crown lands, which direction the fronds will arch, whether the shield fronds have a flat surface to grip. Rather than forcing a plant onto an unsuitable piece, we pick wood that already wants a fern on it. The result is a mount that looks intentional rather than assembled. It also means no two mounts are alike, and the piece you receive won't match the photographs exactly.

On the fern. Platycerium bifurcatum is native to the coastal hills of eastern Australia, and 'Netherlands' is the compact selection that emerged from decades of large-scale tissue-culture production in Dutch nurseries. Growers selected for tighter forking, denser form, and slower growth—traits that make a fern look finished on a shelf rather than sprawling across it. Mature spread indoors lands around 12–18 inches, with antler fronds typically running 8–14 inches. If you want a fern that fills a wall in three years, buy a standard bifurcatum. If you want something that stays proportionate, this is the better plant.

Why soil and moss. Staghorns are epiphytes—they grow on trees in the wild, not in soil. The moss bed at the base replicates that, giving the roots something to grip and a moisture reservoir to draw from. The soil mixed through it supports establishment. Both are set at the base of the mount, not packed around the crown.

What you're getting:

• Plant: One Platyerium bifurcatum 'Netherlands'
• Mount: Natural California grapewood, hand-cut, tumbled, and sandblasted
• Display options: Hanging (~18" × ~4") or Sitting (~13" × ~5")
• Mounting: Roots and base set with soil and moss
• Price: $39.95
• Uniqueness: Every mount is one of a kind. The wood guarantees it.

Good to Know:

• The wood varies. Length, shape, thickness, and grain will differ from piece to piece. Photographs show examples, not the exact item you'll receive.
• Grapewood is a natural vine wood, not a rot-resistant timber. It's dense and weathers to a silver-grey patina, but with constant moisture it will eventually soften and show wear. Expect a lifespan of years, not decades, and plan to remount when the time comes. This is normal for grapewood mounts.
• Shield fronds will turn brown. The flat basal fronds age to papery brown as they protect the root ball. Never peel them off—they're structural, and removing them damages the plant.
• Slow is the point. 'Netherlands' is selected for slow growth. Don't mistake slow for sick.
• Shipping stress is real. A newly mounted or shipped staghorn may look limp or drop a frond. One good soak, bright indirect light, then leave it alone. It will settle over a few weeks.
• The moss will need refreshing. Sphagnum decomposes. Expect to top it up or remount every year or two.

Caring for Your Mount:

Bright, indirect light. An east-facing window is the best indoor position—several hours of gentle morning sun, nothing harsh. A few feet back from a south or west window also works. What won't work is a dark corner or a shelf across the room from the only window. If your fern hasn't produced a new frond in six months, light is the first thing to change.

Water using the weight test: Lift the mount. Water when it feels surprisingly light and the moss is dry an inch in. Typically every 7–14 days, longer in winter. You may soak the whole mount for 10–20 minutes or run it under the faucet until moist, then drain it fully before hanging it back up.