Asteranthera ovata outdoors

[Maggi Young]

So, will we be transporting a dead tree fern to Dunblane in the coach to deliver to Graham on the 19th February?

The Aberdeen Group is nothing if not versatile 

We aim to please   

Angie

  and anyway, the coach driver already knows we're crazy.

[Brendan Marnell]

So, will we be transporting a dead tree fern to Dunblane in the coach to deliver to Graham on the 19th February?

The Aberdeen Group is nothing if not versatile  

We aim to please  

Angie

May I speculate, Graham, that a small bunch of Asteranthera behind the ear could transform one's profile into that of an Aberdeen Angus ...  I'd try it myself but nobody cares who's in my shoes, shucks.

[Graham Catlow]

So, will we be transporting a dead tree fern to Dunblane in the coach to deliver to Graham on the 19th February?

The Aberdeen Group is nothing if not versatile  

We aim to please  

Angie

May I speculate, Graham, that a small bunch of Asteranthera behind the ear could transform one's profile into that of an Aberdeen Angus ...  I'd try it myself but nobody cares who's in my shoes, shucks.

Hmm. not quite sure what you are insinuating

[Graham Catlow]

So, will we be transporting a dead tree fern to Dunblane in the coach to deliver to Graham on the 19th February?

The Aberdeen Group is nothing if not versatile 

We aim to please   

Angie

  and anyway, the coach driver already knows we're crazy.

Is he, and are you all crazy enough for a slight detour to drop it off at my house. It will only add an hour to your journey

Angie
Perhaps it would be better if I offered you some rooted runners for you to try yourself!

Looking forward to the show and seeing you all once again

[Maggi Young]

We're crazy, not daft! 

[Graham Catlow]

We're crazy, not daft! 

 

[angie]

Hi Graham

Ok what are you meant to do with the dead tree fern is it to grown the plant over or is it for using like a mulch. A wee bite of your Asteranthera would be fantastic.

See you at Dunblane, can't wait need some plant retail therapy.

Angie

[Graham Catlow]

Hi Graham

Ok what are you meant to do with the dead tree fern is it to grown the plant over or is it for using like a mulch. A wee bite of your Asteranthera would be fantastic.

See you at Dunblane, can't wait need some plant retail therapy.

Angie

Hi Angie,
If the tree fern is still in the ground then plant the Asteranthera at its base and it should grow up it. Or, as with mine, you can lie the trunk down and the plant will just cover the trunk horizontally.
See you in Dunblane.

[angie]

Hi Graham

I dug them out this winter but didn't throw them away. I am on of these people that don't like throwing things away I thought I could maybe use them for something, god knows what tho.

Angie

[Lesley Cox]

Then use it flat as Graham says or heel it into the ground upright, stamping it down at the base to make it stable. This would also be the way to grow a Tasmanian plant whose name I can't remember at the moment (sorry). It has pink tubular flowers and climbs a tree trunk by inserting the tips of its stems behind any loose bark. I'd try it if I could get hold of it. Come on Marcus or Rob, give me a name here please.

[fermi de Sousa]

Prionotes cerinthoides?

cheers
fermi

[angie]

I think your plant is lovey Lesley. If I get a bit from Graham I shall try lying it down along a path. I like the look of Grahams plant in his previous picture and if I had read his post right I would have had the answer of what to do with my dead tree fern trees. 

Angie

[Lesley Cox]

Yes that's it. Thanks Fermi. Knew there was a reason why it made me think of Helen of Troy and little motor cars. (Priam and Prius.)

[Lesley Cox]

I was looking for the thread on Gesneriaceae but can't find it so this will do.

The seed pods on my Asteranthera aren't growing any larger so I think they're fully sized now but nor are they looking like ripening. They are still bright green, slightly streaked with brownish/black. On the other hand, they are no longer hard but a bit squashy when I pinch them lightly. I wonder therefore, would it be a good idea to pick them now and dry them off inside? Has anyone grown this from seed, or rather has anyone harvested seed before? There should be quite a lot so I'd like to send some to the lists as well as to the couple of people I've promised.

[t00lie]

Perhaps this is the place to ask a question. So far I have been unable to ask it on the AGS Online Discussion but hope to manage that soon.

It is, simply, has anyone harvested now or in the past, seed of Asteranthera ovata? I know some lovely plants are being grown in the UK and I hope someone can tell me what to expect from my 7 seed pods. They seem to be reasonably mature and are beginning to go squashy., i.e. they "give" when I squeeze them lightly but they are showing no signs of going brown or actually becoming ripe. I'm very tempted to pick one and open it but so far have resisted. I have promised some seed to a couple of people but would also like to send some to the exchanges but will they be ready before October?

Any suggestions in the light of members' experience will be appreciated.

==============================================================================
Lesley when i went to check my seed a few minutes ago a couple of the seed pods came away accidentally in my hand.

Couldn't help myself    so i opened one of them to find very small seed attached to a fleshy inner.....

Cheers Dave.