I have potted out twice but lose the baby plants....I have quite a lot more coming on but im not sure how not to lose anymore having got to this stage.
Generally, you pot them out when they have several sets of leaves. This time period is different depending on the care that they receive. This article will help you:
This collection of articles will offer quite a bit of information on the subject of these ferns:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/staghorn-fern
r rootless in the water? Do I bury the shield part? I have a 6 inch clay pot for the new guy
Go ahead and plant it in loose bark or sphagnum moss or a combination. Try to situate the shield above the soil. Too much water can be deadly.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/staghorn-fern/staghorn-fern-in-basket.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/staghorn-fern/staghorn-fern-pups.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/staghorn-fern/staghorn-fern-information.htm
This staghorn is about 2.5 to 3' in dia., hanging from a tree branch. Due to many bad factors it has several large "holes" in it, including a split in the bottom . Two or three of the grown pups have dropped down at a 90 degree angle leaving a void above. The pups are not moveable. Should I cut the bottom of these so they can be mov Ed back in position using some medium to fill any voids? Is the tree moss okay to use? Seems like peat moss would just fall out
If there is a split in the bottom, you can divide the fern if you'd like to propagate it. I would use the sphagnum moss to fill any voids.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/staghorn-fern/staghorn-fern-outdoor-care.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/staghorn-fern/dividing-staghorn-ferns.htm
I'm moving from San Francisco, CA to Vero Beach, FL. From my research, it appears that staghorns do well in Vero Beach. This one is sort of a member of the family since it's been around longer than I have so I don't want to damage it. I can ship it as-is, but it will be outrageously expensive. Trimming the antlers would make it less expensive.
They won't tolerate severe pruning, which is what you are suggesting. Plus, they won't be able to photosynthesize without leaves. Dead or damaged fronds can be removed at any time. You can divide a staghorn, if that helps.
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/staghorn-fern.html
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/staghorn-fern/dividing-staghorn-ferns.htm