Platycerium Superbum

Platycerium Superbum is a large Australian solitary dragon, with a deeply lobed shield that can grow up to 1m3 long. The shield spreads out to collect organic debris and water. As new shields emerge, the old shield dies and dries out, rolling inwards. Young P. Superbum plants are almost exclusively on the shield, growing from the right and then the left. Mature shields have more deeply lobed lobes. When the shields are about 70cm long, the first antennae may appear. The long antennae extend from the bud and hang down to the ground. The bud has pale green hairs and tends to be covered by a fringe from the edge of the shield. P. Superbum needs space to grow, and of course a firm anchor as it gets larger. However, they are drought tolerant and need less water than their imposing appearance would suggest; too much water is a disaster for them. In Australia, banana peels are often added to the potting mix to provide extra nutrients. As P. superbum ages, its antennae become longer and the buds are placed further away from the board, which results in less nutrients and can lead to death. You can tell this by the new shield not covering the old shield. The solution is to cut off the back of the plant and re-graft it onto the new board.
This is the type that can live for many years.
· P. Superbum cv 'Weitz'
· P. Superbum Dwaft
· P. Birchwood (P. Superbum x P. Holttumii)
· P. Gis (P. Superbum x P. Coronarium)
· P. Mentelosii (P. Superbum x P. Stemaria)
· P. Sunke (P. Superbum x P. Wandae)