Hello, Can y'all give instructions on separating out pups from Staghorns? I read this description and I am disbelieving that it could truly be "this easy". Someone else on the forum said that she tried with disasterous results and said not to try to do it. My question is... how far from the fern do I start cutting, how deep do I go and what do I do with the gaping hole that is left after I remove the pup chunk? Thanks! Laura p.s.- here is one persons description, it just didn't seem like enough information for me... The easiest method of propagation is separating the small offsets or pups.(CHEECHNCHONG ASKS: HOW SMALL IS A SMALL OFFSET PUP?) A plant that has been multiplying on a growing surface for several years can be separated by cutting around a basal frond and removing the entire basal and foliar pair of fronds. (C&C ASKS: HOW FAR FROM THE BASAL EDGE AND HOW DEEP INTO THE SOIL BALL DO I CUT?) These offsets can then be attached to a plaque, a hanging basket, or a tree branch. (C&C SAYS: THIS PART I CAN DO, BUT HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE BABY PUP TO ATTACH ITSELF TO THE BOARD?)

It is very expensive and you will need a couple strong people but if you would like to keep the size purchase thick chain, not the cheep stuff cause you know this stuff is heavy and it will get wet and get even heavier. If you want to keep it this size or cut in half and have two, whatever, measure from the top around the bottom back to the top. Many ways to go about it but wrap the chain and zip tie the bottom to stabilize that is not going to do anything more then hold steady and bring all four chains up to top and add another open link and then add a chain to that so that it hangs like a ball. the chain will show at first but will soon be covered by more frons as it grows. They are right it needs broken shade to look its best. Consider freecycle for your fruit, there are people that would really enjoy them and love the opportunity.

These plants are epiphytes, which means that they grow on the sides of tree trunks in their native habitats. They also have basal shield fronds that grow flat against the base of the plant and cover the roots. I can't see any of these on your plant. Did you bury them under the soil? If so, this might be contributing to whatever's ailing your plant. I know stores sell them like this, but being planted in a pot isn't their typical way of growing. If your fern didn't have any basal shields yet, that's fine. When I bought mine, it didn't have any yet, either. But they eventually grew some towards the end of the first year. You still have your plant buried way too deep in that soil. The foliar fronds look like they're jutting up out of the soil, and that's no good. These aren't normal houseplants and don't do very well being potted up like normal houseplants.

Can you post a photo? There is no way that small amount of trimming you said you did would "traumatize" any tree to the degree you describe. I'd suspect something else is not right and my first choice would be watering. Katsuras are thirsty trees and do not tolerate high heat and dryness well. I had a weeping katsura planted in my old garden that would routinely lose its leaves in summer if I was not out there watering deeply at least once a week! But it always revived and would leaf out as normal the next spring.