Newsletter March 2024

Flower of the Month

Snapdragons

by Bibi

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are vibrant and charming flowers that enhance gardens with their whimsical appearance. Its historical symbolism goes back to the Victorian era: snapdragons symbolize both graciousness and deception, adding intrigue to bouquets.

To ensure their optimal growth, follow these care guidelines:

Provide snapdragons with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, though they can tolerate partial shade. Ensure well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral pH soil enriched with organic matter. Keep the soil consistently moist, avoiding overwatering and wetting the foliage.

Apply a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Regularly remove spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.

Fun Facts: Snapdragon’s name derived from the flower’s resemblance to a dragon’s face, the bloom’s “mouth” opens and closes when gently squeezed.

A variety of colours are available: white, pink, red, orange, purple, and bi-colored options, providing diverse choices for florists.

The tubular shape attracts bees and butterflies, contributing to local ecosystem health.

Snapdragons make excellent cut flowers, lasting a week or more in arrangements.

Cultivating snapdragons becomes a rewarding experience with these care instructions. Why don’t you try planting some snapdragon in the Year of the Dragon bringing beauty and fascination to your garden.

Check out this YouTube clip on ‘Time lapse from seed to flower?’

You may set the video to play at a faster pace or skip to 9:54 min. to view the varieties of snapdragons and 14:50 min to watch a demonstration of a floral arrangement with snapdragons.

Plant of the Month

Boston Fern

by Bibi

Boston Ferns are delightful, lacy green additions to any space, but they do come with their own set of care instructions. Here’s a concise guide to keeping your Boston Fern happy and thriving.

Light: place your Boston Fern in bright, indirect light. They love filtered sunlight, but too much direct sunlight can scorch their delicate fronds.

Water: keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Water when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. Ensure good drainage, as Boston Ferns don’t like sitting in waterlogged soil.

Humidity: these ferns are tropical plants, so they thrive in high humidity. Regular misting or placing a tray of water near the plant can help maintain the moisture levels they adore.

Temperature: Boston Ferns prefer temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C). They are sensitive to drafts and sudden temperature changes, so keep them away from vents or drafty windows.

Fertilizing: feed your Boston Fern with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). Reduce or stop fertilizing in the fall and winter when the plant is in a dormant phase.

Pruning: trim brown or yellow fronds regularly to encourage new growth and keep your fern looking lush. Be gentle with their delicate foliage.

Fun Facts:

Air-Purifying Marvels: Boston Ferns are excellent air purifiers, removing pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene from the air.

Prehistoric Pioneers: ferns are ancient plants, with some species dating back to prehistoric times. Your Boston Fern is like a green time traveller!

Historical Elegance: Boston Ferns became incredibly popular during the Victorian era as elegant, ornamental additions to parlours and gardens.

Remember, a little love and attention go a long way in ensuring your Boston Fern stays vibrant and brings a touch of nature indoors. Happy fern parenting!

This YouTube Clip ‘Your complete guide to the care of Boston Fern‘ is very comprehensive. Shoot me an email me if you would like to share your ‘Fern Experience’ with me. Happy gardening!

Learn how to re-pot and propagate your Boston fern and turn it into beautiful gifts to your loved ones.

The first Bushwalk of the Month in 2024 is scheduled on Sun 24th March to explore the beautiful Ferndale Park Track in Chatswood. Enter the ‘Spot a Fern’ competition to win a pot of Boston Fern home!

Recipe of the Month

‘Potato & Egg Patties – inspired by World Potato Conference

The World Potato Congress (23 – 26 June 2024, Adelaide, South Australia) has chosen the theme “Old World Meets New” for 2024. This theme encapsulates the rich historical legacy of potatoes as a food staple, the cutting-edge innovation and technology applied to their production, and substantial investments in research and development. The focus extends to addressing global changes in sustainability, climate, culture, and population dynamics.

Globally, potatoes play a vital role in sustaining food security and achieving UN sustainability goals. To meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 2) on Zero Hunger, there is a pressing need for a 28% increase in average agricultural productivity over the next decade, while simultaneously aligning with the Paris Agreement targets on agricultural emissions—a more than triple increase compared to the last decade.

Recipe provided by Dana L. (Photo credit: Bibi)

Ingredients:

3 medium-sized potatoes

4 eggs (~200g)

Optional: Parsley (or other herbs of your choice: Spring Onion or Coriander)

Salt & pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS 

Wash the potatoes thoroughly to keep the nutrient-rich skin on. Grate the potatoes into a medium bowl. Drain the potatoes; it is essential to remove excess water to achieve the perfect texture. Wrap the grated potatoes in a clean kitchen towel and gently squeeze out the liquid.

Add the eggs to the grated potatoes, mixing until well-integrated. Season with salt and pepper. If desired, incorporate finely chopped herbs like parsley, chives, or spring onions for an aromatic touch.

Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat and add a bit of oil. Spoon the potato-egg mixture into the pan, forming either small pancakes or a single large one. Cook until each side is golden brown and crispy, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.

This simple recipe is a reminder of the joy of home cooking and makes for a great meat-free dish!

Book Review

By Kim Wilkins

THE WOMEN ON THE BRIDGE- BY SHEILA O’ FLANAGAN

This is a well thought out historical fiction novel set in Dublin in the 1920s when the Irish were mounting a guerilla war against the British for their independence and, after succeeding, engage in a bloody civil war over what type of independence they want.

The author is a popular Irish novelist, who has been a prolific author, and is based loosely on stories from her grandmother. The main character, Winifred, although broadly supporting the aims of the independence struggle, just wants to keep out of trouble. However she meets and falls in love with Joseph, secretly a junior officer in the armed independence forces. He plans armed raids to kill British soldiers and his family hide fugitives. Winifred’s family, like herself, just wants to stay out of trouble and get on with their
lives.

The British, as in many independence stories, do nor come out of this “ smelling of roses”, but the book does try and show the complexities of the struggle with Winfred’s sisters living in England. The book was published in 2023 and is a 370 page easy read. It is a page turner. I do not know enough of that period to verify its historical accuracy. It is basically a love story which also shows how ordinary people can be caught up in violent struggles.

If you are looking for a deep insight into Irish history this is not it, but it does attempt to give the “feel” of the period and how good people can see the necessity for armed rebellion.

From the Desk of Bibi

Getting out of your comfort zone

by Dr Bibiana Chan

One of the petals of the Community Flower Studio’s icon is ‘Growth’. In my experience, when you dare take yourself out of the comfort zone (assuming you are taking calculated risks), you most likely will experience personal growth (read more about the ‘Growth Mindset developed by Dr Carol Dweck here)! This will be valuable experience to cherish for a long time. This is my story.

Personal Growth

 I attended a personal development course in 1999 and learned about self-love, self-care, and assertive communication. This helped me ‘find myself,’ who had been lost in a deep depressive episode. I also learned risk assessment and became aware of my triggers that could send me down the dark pit (a relapse of clinical depression) again.

New Year Resolution

 Every year I like to make a new year resolution. One year, I challenged myself to get out of my comfort zone and learn a new skill. I signed up for a ‘Stand-up Comedian’ short course at a community college.

Multi-day Hike

 I enjoy traveling and organized my first solo DIY overseas trip to Tokyo, Japan, in 2005. I enjoyed it so much that I never went back to join a tour group. I visited Istanbul, Turkey, after attending a mental health conference in Athens, Greece. I planned a trip with a friend to visit a few cities in Spain and Lisbon, Portugal, in 2017. However, carrying my own personal belongings in a backpack (weighing approximately 8 – 9 kg) to go on a multi-day hike was not something I could have imagined. I did just that in 2018, trekking 54 km on the Milford Sound Track in the South Island of New Zealand. Climbing up to the highest point of the track, McKinnon Pass, at 1156 m above sea level, was rewarding. The beautiful view from the top, looking down the valleys, was spectacular!

Bring on the Challenge

I returned to the South Island, New Zealand, in 2019 and trekked the Grand Transverse track (the combined Green Stone and Routeburn Track) in extreme weather for 6 days! I was soaking wet from top to bottom for a couple of days! I straddled over mini-waterfalls in knee-height water. I almost had to get a replacement passport as it was damaged by the pouring rain! Looking back, I wonder whether I would be able to do this again!

Walk the Milford Sound Track One More Time

COVID-19 interrupted the return to my favorite place for hiking. Finally, I flew to Queenstown, NZ, at the end of Jan 2024 to walk the Milford Sound Track again. My 2018 trip was fantastic, except the weather was too hot, and I missed the mysterious scene of the low clouds covering the mountain peaks. Just an excuse for me to challenge myself again, physically and mentally, 6 years later.

Step-by-step Training to Prepare for the Walk

In order to walk with an 8 kg backpack up and down steep slopes, I did training walks along some of my favourite bushwalk tracks in Sydney. I carried a backpack full of soft drinks. I gradually increased the load to 8 kg. Two weeks before I was due to fly to Queenstown, I walked 20 km each day with a full 8 kg backpack for 3 days. I thought I was well-prepared! The day I walked up to MacKinnon Pass, I was very proud of myself. On my way down, my left knee acted up. I slowed down to avoid overworking my problematic knee. The next day was a 21 km walk, described by the guide as ‘Kiwi flat’ (another way of saying it is not flat). I ‘soldiered’ on with the determination to complete the final leg of this incredible Milford Sound Track. I sang the song ‘I think I can’ in my mind!

I literally took myself out of the comfort zone! My left knee is now out of discomfort after some good rest. I am so glad I walked the Milford Sound Track a second time!

Subscriber’s Corner

Australia Day Award Ceremony

by Adrew G.

I was in the CBD because my father had some business matters to attend to when Dr. Bibi contacted me regarding the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony and how CFS had been selected as one of the candidates for the Willoughby 2024 Environmental Citizen of the Year Award. Dr. Bibi explained that the Petal-it-Forward campaign was one of our stronger points, with the addition of the Return-and-Earn scheme reinforcing the impact. Weighing the outcomes of the proposed plan, I inquired about the way it was going to be presented and began planning for a speech.

A few days later, I remembered that the script had to be completed before the 26th of January, ideally a week before, to allow Dr. Bibi to edit and add more specific information. I began working on the script and had completed most of the introductory lines before getting distracted and working on other things. After a few on-and-off periods, I completed the speech around January 20th, and Dr. Bibi added her bits of information regarding the Petal-it-Forward campaign (to put a smile on someone’s face) and the Return-and-Earn scheme (return a plastic or glass bottle to earn 10 cents).

On the day of the ceremony, I arrived at the Concourse but did not see anyone lined up as if they were going to become citizens of Australia. I wandered around for at least 5 minutes, entering and exiting the main building in an attempt to find even a small crowd, but to no avail. Eventually, I gave up on looking for people and called Bibi, but gained no new information. At this point, Geoff (CFS’ honorary secretary) arrived, and a short while later, we found out it was next to the library. We quickly rushed there to find Bibi waiting for us. After some introductions, we entered the main room and were seated.

Several introductory statements were made before a performance by an Indigenous dance group (Diramu Aboriginal Dance), in which the Mayor even joined in. Soon after, the local awards were announced, which included Dr. Bibi as the Environmental Citizen of the year. Mckayla and I both made our speeches and took a group photo before being seated once again. Shortly after the awards were presented, we all joined in singing the Australian Anthem, and a few of our members left to get a table for yum cha at King Dynasty, a Chinese Restaurant nearby.

Once the ceremony concluded (all the new Australian citizens received their certificates), the rest of us dashed to King Dynasty for lunch. We all enjoyed the wide selection of foods of Bibi’s choice. Two highlights of the meal were my first-time eating chicken feet and a crepe with whipped cream and mango for dessert. We congratulated each other on the recognition for Dr. Bibi and the climate actions through her work with the Community Flower Studio, and then we parted ways.

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