IATFG Annual Meeting 3 September 2022, Buckinghamshire

The IATFG held its first annual meeting at the home of Valdy and Greta Pierozynski in Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire. The meeting began with tea and scones, followed by a tour around Valdy’s fern collection. Six members of IATFG attended. As well as having the opportunity to explore Valdy’s collection and set-up, the meeting allowed us to share notices and contribute to shaping the development of this special interest group.

Valdy showed us around his outdoor ferns first. Considering the lack of rain and the excessive heat over the summer the garden looked lush and green. There were several fine examples of Woodwardia radicans and Woodwardia unigemmata, and an impressive collection of hardy Blechnum including some potential Parablechnum hybrids. One huge bed of Parablechnum chilense had suffered slightly from the heat but there were already signs of a new flush of fronds emerging. Dotted around the garden were several lovely hanging baskets containing large specimens of ferns, such as Davallia canariensis, which Valdy keeps outside for most of the year. Also outside in baskets were Lecanopteris pustulata and Microsorum grossum. Valdy had several large tree ferns in pots including

Sphaeropteris excelsa (syn. Cyathea brownii), Sphaeropteris medullaris and Sphaeropteris cooperi. These were stored in the garage over the coldest months.

Valdy’s hothouse contained a wide collection of tropical ferns, although we were greeted by the beautiful scent of an orchid that was in flower. The space was dominated by many large Drynaria specimens hanging in baskets, including rarities such as Drynaria speciosa and Drynaria cornucopia. There was an eclectic collection of tropical Pyrrosia and Elaphoglossum. Many of these were hanging in pots but Valdy had also effectively planted the floor of the greenhouse, notably with Blechnum occidentale, and had used dead tree fern trunks to grow many ferns epiphytically—including Microgramma, Pyrrosia and even a climbing Blechnum, Lomaridium fragile (syn.

Blechnum fragile). The overall effect was both effective and interesting.

In a second greenhouse Valdy was nurturing various smaller ferns and ferns that appreciated the slightly less humid conditions, such as Adiantum reniforme. Valdy was successfully cultivating several ant ferns indoors—including an

impressive Lecanopteris deparioides (syn. L. curtisii).

Both the garden and glasshouses were irrigated with an automatic micro drip system. The system was controlled by two Gardena Water Computers. The main hothouse was heated with a gas heater over the winter and kept above 10 °C.

After lunch Matthew Reeve presented a summary of the activities of the IATFG to date, including the twice yearly newsletter, the Davallia in Cultivation project, and hothouse environment survey. Attendees were shown the working draft of the BPS fern database

and the possibilities of how we can link our collections together and utilise its functionality. We also discussed a proposal for ensuring we maintain a stock of tropical ferns in the UK. Next year’s schedule was presented, which will include a Zoom meeting to involve our international members. The meeting ended with a fern swap and a final cup of tea.

A warm thank you to the members who attended and for Valdy and Greta for hosting us at their beautiful home and garden.