Hi guys,

I probably should have found you all sooner and this could all be a bit
academic but I will ask you anyway.

I have 2 very large staghorns which I have grown over the past 23 years - I
have been living in Karratha for the past 7 years and had left my stags at
my old home down in Perth. Times change and we recently had to sell our
wonderful home - so - getting to the point. I didn't want to sell them and
took the trailer down to Perth prior to settlement and have now relocated
them up here. Please don't tell me I should have gotten rid of them I am
feeling guilty enough as it is bring them here but they have great
sentimental value to my husband & I.

They have only been here a couple of days and too my horror on the very
first day when hanging one up it fell off of its board and straight down
onto its antlers. I couldn't believe it as we had travelled 1700 klms and
been so careful. I know I should have double checked the wire before trying
to mount them on the wall. Anyway, one of the non-antler leaves broke away
exposing a matted root type system. I hastily placed it back thinking that
although it was completely detached it would protect the plant. I have hung
them both under our patio and am praying that we don't get anymore hot winds
until we get our shed up and can create a new more suitable environment
between shed and house.

Sorry to carry on but I do have some questions and am getting to them.

1. Our water supply is high in calcium, the sink etc is white if it is
not immediately wiped down. I read that Stags don't like an alkali
environment - is our water likely to cause that? (I have brought several
containers of Perth water up with me but that will not last forever and we
were thinking that we could always go to our local billabong and collect
water for them.)

2. In an attempt to keep a level keel (although I don't really know what
that is), I have placed a layer of peat mixed with sphagnum moss into the
top of each plant. This is something I did often when the plants where down
south. I need to now if this will counteract the water being high in
calcium?

Please any advice will be gladly listened too - especially if you have moved
from a cooler to a desert region with yours. Although I have grown them and
felt very confident over the past 23 years I know find I am feeling very
insecure and need reassurance.

Thanks for taking the time to read all of this.

Sue - Karratha Western Australia