What's Growing In Emily's Garden: Staghorn Ferns

Hello, I am Emily, your weekend garden girl at Dig. I will be popping into the blog now and again to be sharing some of my own plants with you. I will also be keeping you up to date on my garden, which will be coming to life again very soon! I hope you enjoy my offerings!

I will begin with Fern. Yes, her name is Fern, and yes, I name my plants although not very creatively. Fern is a staghorn fern, Platycerium. Staghorn ferns are very unique looking, with two different types of fronds. Basal fronds, which grow to be a brown papery looking protective layer for the root system, and fertile fronds, which are green horn-like fronds that grow up and out of the protective layer, giving this plant its common name.

Staghorn ferns are epiphytes, a type of plant that prefers to grow above ground deriving nutrients from the air, dust, or whatever it has attached itself to. Like many young staghorn ferns that you find in nurseries, mine was originally planted in soil. Just recently I mounted it onto a wooden frame with some older staghorns that were in need of some love and attention. To mount your fern, just put sphagnum or peat moss between the mount and the basal fronds, using floral wire to attach and support it.

I would like to think that Fern is enjoying her new mounted home with a couple of friends. Perhaps the older staghorns will enjoy her company as well, I will keep you updated. Stay tuned to find out what else is going on in my garden! Until next time, cross your fingers for spring to come soon!

We've got Flea Fever!

It was bound to happen. With all of the cool things going on at the Brooklyn Flea we just couldn't stay away. I'm happy to announce that Dig will be one of the newest vendors to join the amazing crowd at the Flea. The best part is that it's right down the street from us! Check out the map below for walking directions from the Flea (A), housed in the old Williamsburg Savings Bank, to Dig (B). Our booth will be located in the Vault level near the stairs; Booth 85 for those playing the home game.



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We will have fresh herbs, small house plants, botanic prints and some other exciting things we've been preparing for just such an occasion! Also, don't forget to munch down (Om nom nom!) on some of the delicious food supplied by local vendors like Good Fork in Redhook! Seriously some of the best dumplings in the world!

Beautiful new orchids

Tired of those played out Moth orchids sold at every bodega in the city? Come check out the wonderful and exciting new selection we just got in here at Dig! More than just showy flowers, many of these orchids have a distinctive sent that will delight your nose as well as your eyes! Descriptions are below each photo.

Mixed Group: Eple. Butterfly Kisses 'Menden Hall', Oncidium "Twinkle", and Dendrobium Fancy Angel 'Lycee'

Blc. Momilani "Rainbow"

Oncidium "Twinkle"

Wils. Pacific Rooster "Robin's Breast"

Cymbidium Clarisse Austin 'Best Pink cultivar'


If you are nervous about stepping out of your Phalaenopsis comfort zone start with Cymbidiums (photo above) aka The Boat Orchid. Similar in care to Moth Orchids they offer a beautiful display for many months. Learn more about all of these beautiful plants here.