Below, I describe a few of the difficulties that can plague your attempts to raise platyceriums from spore.

Algae: As I indicated in the section on germination and early growth, algae will eventually start to invade your pots. A certain amount of algal growth is harmless, but thick layers of slime can smother young platyceriums. Rather than attempting to kill the algae chemically, it is safest to cut back on the nutrients in the soil, which will control their growth.

Fungus Gnats: These and similar little flying insects can sometimes work their way into your germination chambers, where their larvae may damage tender sporelings. In an enclosed space, a small piece of yellow sticky-card will rapidly decimate these pests.

Rotting: Problems with bacterial and fungal rots should be minimal in the germination scheme I have described. If you do get sporelings turning black and dying from rot, try increasing the light level, and opening the container a crack to let in some fresh air. Apply fungicides and antibiotics as a last resort; ferns tend to be sensitive to agricultural chemicals, so try to test them on a small patch of sporelings first. Some species (e.g. P. andinum and P. coronarium) seem to be much more sensitive to rot than others.

Dying in P. madagascariense:  While this plant is certainly one of the loveliest staghorns, with its waffle-iron textured basal fronds, it is also difficult for most people to keep alive for more than a few months.  I obtained spore from a plant that was kept alive and happy in a greenhouse used for orchid propagation.  This greenhouse was equipped with an evaporative cooler that kept temperatures moderate and humidity near 100% at all times.  I have had poor results trying to grow my sporelings in the regular university greenhouses here at UConn; they decline and die during the warmer months.  They have done rather well in a covered, well-lit terrarium in my air-conditioned office.  High humidity and cool temperatures seem to be essential for keeping P. madagascariense healthy.