2020 has been nothing but unexpected on so many levels.  
I sincerely hope that everyone has found some joy in the year and am sure should give themselves a reward of some kind for the things that they have achieved, even if it is coming to the end of the year with a sense of marvel in what you have managed to survive and the small goals you have ticked along the way.

It certainly has been a good year for gardeners who have had more time, even if it was enforced, at home to spend in the garden than they normally would have.  The nursery industry seems to have grown and flourished from this event.  Most places have had some rain, even here in the driest state in the Australia we have had some nice rain events and hopefully will have more coming our way throughout the summer months.

Thankyou to everyone who came along to the Begonia & Fern Sale last Saturday and patiently waited to enter the hall and then to pay for their purchases in a COVID safe way.  Thanks also to the workers who helped people with their purchases on the day and to the growers who have lovingly nurtured their plants for others to enjoy.

We are hopeful that in April 2021 we will be able to host our Annual Fern Sale.  When we are closer to the time and can clearly see a way forward we will advertise the date and time of this event.

Keep smiling, keep gardening and keep well.
​

After an enjoyable lunch time get together at The Rex Hotel in August it was decided to suspend all general meetings until January 2021.

The Begonia & Fern Sale is being held on Saturday 24th October from 10am to 3pm at the Klemzig Community Hall, 242 North East Road.  Admission $2.  This is the only opportunity for members to sell this year and for members of the public to purchase locally grown ferns and seek advice directly from the growers.

A COVID safe plan is in place and members of the public are asked to support this event and support the safety measures that we have all been so good at adapting to in 2020 to keep us all healthy and well.

The Fern Society will have another luncheon at The Rex Hotel in November in lieu of a Christmas function.  The monthly newsletter continues to be published and distributed to all members as per normal.

After such a 'dry July' weather wise its been great to have some rains in South Australia in August for both the garden lovers and the farmers.  We are about to move into the repotting season for ferns and many are starting to show signs on new growth as the days become warmer.  There is a great article in this months newsletter regarding Adiantums (Maidenhair ferns) and how to care for them.  If you're not a member and would like to become more knowledgeable about growing ferns of many varieties consider joining us.

2020 started off with the AGM in February.
Wayne Richard returned as President, Lyn Collins was elected Vice President and Trevor Norman took on the role of Treasurer.  Jill Richard continued in the role of Secretary.
The committee comprises Bob Smith, Phil Tavender, Julie Meyer, Coralie Hime, Tony Gee, Tony Squire, Margaret Reedman, Mel Sage.
Fees remained unchanged from 2019 and several new members were welcomed.  The Annual Sale planning was proceeding with a planned date of April 18th. 
Then the world was turned upside down with a new virus emanating from China which very quickly became declared a pandemic - Covid-19.  The world as we knew came to a STOP.  Planes ceased to fly, borders within countries were closed and people were no longer free to travel.  "Social Isolation" became the norm for people in Australia and in many countries worldwide.   The Fern Society like all other organisations has had to cancel all meetings until the government mandates that it is safe to resume. 
Australia seems to be leading the way with high rates of testing for people who are showing signs of respiratory illness and anyone who has been in contact with people who have been confirmed as having the illness.  Scientists worldwide are cooperating and working together to find a vaccine and a cure.
One amazing thing that has happened is the improvement in the quality of the air and waterways with the lack of pollution emanating from man made sources.  I am sure the plants are enjoying the atmospheric changes and the greater attention they are receiving from their housebound humans.
I, for one, am finding the withdrawal of opportunities to socialise with friends and groups which I would normally attend for various activities very difficult to adjust to even though I always thought I was happy with my own company - lesson learnt!

Well, we all must soldier on and hopefully come out of this time wiser and stronger and with a greater appreciation for one another and the world.

All being well we are hoping to hold the 2020 Annual Fern Sale in September/October term break.

Stay well, stay safe and keep smiling.  

On Friday night we saw a slideshow presented by one of our Queensland members of his work and travels in northern Australia.  Thank you Brad and we look forward to your next presentation.

The AGM was held and the new President is Wayne Richard, returning from his year off, with Julie Meyer taking over the reigns of Treasurer.  Lyn Collins is a very welcome addition to the committee with her many years of experience and expertise within the Fern Society (Lyn is a Life Member and was also presented with her 30 year badge on Friday night).

We welcomed 5 new Life Members: Kaye & Peter Gutschmidt who have served the Fern Society for 30 years in many roles; committee members, host/hostess, Kaye as Vice President & Secretary and many other roles throughout their 30 years of membership.  Phil & Barb Tavender who have served the Fern Society for 30 years also.  Phil having been President & Vice President - currently & for various tenures; 'hall organiser', auctioneer and whatever else he is called upon to do; Barb as host for 10 years, raffle ticket seller for 18 years, willing assistant at Fern Sales and committee member.  Trevor Norman, who was unable to attend on the night, has been a member since 1983, treasurer for 5 years, more recently taken on the role of Auditor, developed new varieties with tissue culture and supported the Society in numerous ways.  
Thanks to Life Member Bob Smith for presenting these awards.
In celebration of years of service the following badges were presented also:
30 years
Rod Pattison - QLD
John Robertson - QLD
Keith Rogers - absent
Lyn Collins
Val Slater - absent
Peter Gutschmidt
Kaye Gutschmidt
Phil Tavender
Barb Tavender
presented by Life Member Denise Stapp, 
10 years
Kylie Stocks - NSW
Shirley Hooper
Gaynor Power
Nicky Fidler (2015) - absent
presented by Life Member Audrey Denis
Thankyou to Denise & Audrey for presenting these awards.
The display of Drynaria, Pseudodrynaria and Huperzia (Tassel) Ferns was magnificent.  Congratulations to Julieanne for her winning specimen.
The AGM was followed by the general meeting for the month of February.
Membership fees have stayed the same as in 2018.
​Hope everyone has a cool spot to hide from the 'hopefully' last burst of summer weather this coming week and we will not be too far from receiving some autumn rain.......

Finally some rain
​

Friday night promises to be some fun with an interactive Road Rules Quiz being presented by the RAA.

The display genus are Davallia, Humata & Scyphularia.  If you aren't sure what these are come along and have a look and learn some more about these ferns.

The fern sale was a great day with 5 people winning membership for the 2019/20 year and some new members joining the Society.  Will be great to get to know these people and in turn help them learn more about the growing and collecting of ferns in South Australia.  It was wonderful to see some of the members who are unable to attend meetings regularly at the sale and renew acquaintances.

Lots of members worked hard to make sure the sale was a success and it was appreciated by their fellow members and the general public.

Arrangements are in their final stages for the 40th Birthday celebrations on 30th June.  Invitations have been sent out, a caterer has been engaged and some surprises are being planned for attendees.  All members are encouraged to bring along their favourite fern to share and show off to their fellow fernies.  We are hoping our Life Members will show up in force and all will enjoy meeting those who have been members since the inception of the Society in 1979.

Guest speakers have been engaged for August, October and January.  September is our Auction night with members bringing along a vast array of gardening gear, plants and books for auction with all proceeds going to the Fern Society.

We have been having some lovely autumn sunshine with some rain too.  A couple of cold days and some chilly nights with more to come.

On a sad note, we mourn the passing of Ray Applebee who was a stalwart of the society from 2003 until 2017.  Ray was Minute Secretary from 2005 until 2017 and Treasurer from 2006 until 2017.  He is survived by his lovely wife Marcelle who was a committee member and fulfilled many other roles whilst a member of the Society and his children and grandchildren.  We farewell Ray on Tuesday 21st May 2019 at 10.30am at Mattiske Funeral Parlour in Salisbury. 
Vale Ray. 

After some very late winter rain (minimal as it was) Spring has finally arrived with some warmer days, but still very cool nights.  Signs of growth are everywhere in the garden and the shadehouse.  Time to get out and trim off old fronds, get rid of the winter weeds and give your ferns a fertilise to help the new growth along.  Do it in the morning so the warmth of the day helps things along.  Watch out for the caterpillars and bugs feeding on the ferns, not to mention the slugs and snails that appear after a rain.
The Fern Society display at the Royal Adelaide Show this year is beautiful, it was great to be given our own area alongside the Bromeliads, Bonsai, Camellias and Orchids.  The public has shown a lot of interest in the stunning ferns from the gardens of Bob, Coralie, Julie & Lynn (apologies if I have missed anyone) and a special thanks to Coralie and Julie who put the display together it looks amazing.
The September meeting is our annual auction night and all proceeds go to the Fern Society.  Members are encouraged to bring all things garden related (and, yes, there are usually ferns in amongst other things) to donate for auction and bring along their moneybags to bid and buy from auctioneer extraordinaire Phil.  
Our first foray into the arrangement with Charlie Carp for members to buy at wholesale prices is happening at the moment with members orders due in by 17th September for delivery at the general meeting on 28th September.

Special news - It looks highly likely that we may have Tassell Ferns for sale at our Annual Fern Sale on Saturday 27th April 2019 which starts at 9am and runs until 2pm next year.  So be there early to grab something you won't see anywhere else in South Australia for sale, members can come in the night before and buy,
​ ANOTHER GOOD REASON TO JOIN THE FERN SOCIETY!.
​

Winter in South Australia has been cold, but sadly for all gardeners and farmers, very dry.  I have been a bit slack with the blogging and the website, but today have added several months newsletters to the Members page. 

A new fern handbook is close to being available for members and will possibly be made available for sale to non-members at displays and talks given by the Fern Society.

Tonight we have our monthly meeting at Adelaide High School and we are looking forward to hearing from Nadia & Paul from Red Centre Enterprises.  I will post a blog about their talk over the weekend.

The display genus tonight is Fern of Your Choice which will make for an interesting and varied display.

The Fern Society is also looking at being one of  garden societies with a display at this years Royal Adelaide Show.  This is a new venture for the Royal Show Society to encourage the public to reinvest in the healthy past time of getting their hands dirty and absorbing some much needed Vitamin D into their systems.
​Keep an eye on the blog for updates regarding this.

The 'real' fern grower in the house is busy re-potting some ferns he received from Heaton's Fern Nursery in Queensland this week (always makes him happy when this happens!).

  Last night's meeting had many highlights.  The guest speaker, Penny, from the RAA helped us wind the clock back and remember events that occurred in South Australia in relation to motoring.  Do you remember when seat belts became compulsory in cars? It was 1971!
We were also very privileged to see the induction of a new Life Member.  Audrey Dennis was awarded Life Membership, this was in fact approved in 2017, but due to ill health we hadn't seen Audrey for many months.  She was surprised and delighted to receive recognition of her many years of service above and beyond since joining in 1983.  A photo of Audrey with Lyn, Denise and Peter, 3 of her fellow Life Members who were present is below.
The display genus was Davallia, Humata & Scyphularia which all belong to the same family.  The winner of the Bunnings voucher was Vanda who will judge the best plant next month - the genus being Microsorum & Polypodium. 
Some images of the display plants are also below.  More photos will be in the June Newsletter.

On Saturday 5th May a workshop was held at Coralie & Gordon's home to divide some large ferns and learn about the process.  20+ members were in attendance from Victor Harbor to Gawler and many places in between were there, and everyone went home with some fern divisions to pot. 
It was a great social and learning exercise enjoyed by everyone in attendance.  
Some images from the garden are below.  Thank you Coralie & Gordon for your hospitality.
​

Well, it's live and members are signing in to the Members Only page which will have newsletters, genus growing notes and more on it as time goes by.

If you are keen to learn more about how to grow and care for your ferns become a member and have access to the page and come along to our meetings to ask questions and be involved in workshops.

If you have a question fill in the Contact Us form and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Enjoy the rain today I am sure your ferns and gardens and rainwater tanks will be very happy.

​Jill