Yup, sounds like scale. Once you have it you've got it for ever. The way I combat scale is: look for it everytime I water, and if I have the time deal with it immediately. If not take care of it ASAP. I use Cygon. Not sure the active ingrediant but you can find that on the web. First I decide if a frond is too infested to keep; if not cut it away. Then using a fingernail or twig I scrape off ALL the remain scale even try tomove the whit crawler phase if possible. Then spray with Cygon at about 1/2 to 3/4 strength. Be advised that the pesticide may damage any new fronds. I also try to water mine first. Cygon is a systemic so I'll occasionally dilute it a little more and pour it into the root ball. Some ferns seem more prone to scale. Also scale may be building up on nearby plants. Scale doesn't like air circulation. I find little if any scale on Stags I hang in the trees during the summer. Scale especially likes Hawaiian tree ferns, birds nest, and the polypodium family. Best of luck. If you're in the Houston area you might come to a Texas Gulf Coast Fern Society meeting.

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?)

I have dealt with The Fern Factory (do a Google search) with good results. Their new website is just up, and they presently show three different varieties in various sizes available. They also have supplies. They do ship. Let us know how the contest progresses.

I feel your pain. Plant thieves are scum. I'd like to catch them in the act. Anyway I have found, generally ants themselves aren't a serious problem. However, they sometimes haul honeydew excreting bugs onto plants; and that's a problem. You can try Diazinon granules behind the shield. I use orthenex. You may wish to cut away the dead part and remount the stag. See if there is a "Fern Society" in your area. They may help you with this project.