Ferns Versatile House Plants Too
One of the most attractive and
versatile house plants is the fcm.
Depending on the variety, fems
do well indoors in the winter and on
shaded porches or patios in the sum
mer.
Considering the total number of
fern specics in the world, a relative
ly few species of fern do well with
pot culture.
Perhaps the best known of all the
indoor fems in the "Boston" fcm
(Nephrolepsia exaltata). During the
eoldest winter months, the long deli
cate fronds and olive-green foliage
make the Boston fcm a centcrpiccc in
any indoor location. However, the
Boston fcm is best appreciated in the
spring and summer when utilized on
shaded patios or porches. The Boston
fcm is represented by a hundred or
more varieties which arc primarily
differentiated by the degree of frond
"lacincss" and plant size.
The Bird's Nest fcm (Asplenium
nidus) produces a clustcr of large
wide fronds arranged around an
open center. This fern requires cool
temperatures (55 degrees to 75 de
grees Fahrenheit) and relatively high
humidity to really thrive. The low
humidity and warm heat of the in
door environment of most homes in
the winter will deal the "slow death"
to this fcm.
My personal favorite is the
Staghom fcm (Plalycerium alicor
ne). The Staghom fem is an epi
phyte and needs no true soil mix for
survival. Sphagnum moss, slabs of
wood or bark, and osmuda fiber will
provide an excellent support base
for the unusual fcm.
THE
PLANT
DOCTOR
C. BRUCE
WILLIAMS
Extension Area
Turf Specialist
In general , the Suighom fern re
quires very litllc care but in order
for the plant to survive high humidi
ty is absolutely essential. A light
misting with water one or more
times a day will normally keep a
Staghorn fem vigorous and growing
in most indoor environments.
1 have seen few adults and no chil
dren that could resist feeling the soft
hairy rhizomes of the Rabbit's Foot
fern (Davallia fejeensis). This fern is
one of the best for hanging baskets
and is relatively easy to culture.
Table ferns (Pteris spp) and
Maidenhair ferns (Adiantum cunea
tum) are beautiful common orna
mental fern species but require
abundant care and lots of humidity
to really thrive.
Growing beautiful ferns is rela
tively easy so long as you follow a
few basic rules. Use a shallow pot, a
high organic matter potting soil, and
find an indoor location that has cool
nights (55 degrees) and warm humid
days (75 degrees). A southern or
eastern exposure window in a bath
room or kitchen is ideal.
Fertilize ferns with a one-fourth
Black History Is Focus Of Program
Raymond Carl Gilbert of South
port, who is serving in Gov. Jim
Hunt's administration, will be the
guest speaker for a black history
program for youth sponsored by the
Little Prong Baptist Church Youth
on Sunday, Feb. 7, at 3 p.m.
Gilbert's subject will be "The
African American Report Card:
When: Do We Go From Here." The
speaker is a native of Stamps, Ark.,
and has served as a consultant to the
National Forum for Black Public
Administrators and as coordinator of
General Relations and coordinator
Event Will Support
Work Of Helping
Hands Mission
Two area groups arc banding to
gether to present an inspirational
dinner program and fund-raising
event Saturday, Feb. 13, from 7 p.m.
to 9 p.m. at the Lcland Middle
School Cafeteria.
"A Year for Rebirth, Inspiration,
Excellence and Survival" is the
theme of the program sponsored by
Helping Hands of Brunswick
County and the Brunswick County
Minority Cultural Awareness Coa
lition.
The keynote address will be pre
sented by Dr.
George Saund
ers of Boiling
Spring Lakes.
The dinner pro
gram will also
feature Marva
Robinson, a
well-known sol
oist. According ^ ^
to a news re
lease, the pro- SAUNDERS
gram will conclude with "a very
special presentation."
Admission is by a tax-deductible
contribution of $10 for adults and S5
for children ages 6 through 12 and
for students. Children under 6 will
be admitted free.
All profits from the event will be
used by Helping Hands in iLs contin
uing mission of assisting the less
fortunate of Brunswick County, said
the Rev. Thurman B. Everett.
For additional ticket or program
information contact either Everelt, at
371-2196 or 253-4301, or Angclyn
Moore, 754-8223, or a member of
either sponsoring organization.
of Minority Recruitment and Reten
tion for his alma mater. Southern
Arkansas University.
In addition to Gilbert, the pro
gram will feature music by area
youth choirs and a special appear
ance by Arvella Marlow.
All area youth and their families
are encouraged to attend, said
spokesman Ercell Marlow Godwin.
?hades &
Shadows
Share
' The
Romance!
Victorian
Lamps &
Shades
Potpourri Hearts
& Scented Candles
.... /"-A*.
Country Charm
Of Wrought Iron
Lamps & Cut
Paper Shades
/ >
i *- ??* w *
Brass Bookends
Porcelain Vases
? ? ? ?
Old Fashioned or
Electrified Oil
Lamps
{ Happiness*
signed &
dated
collectibles.
Share the
Warmth
We also offer lamp repair.
TiU Hwy. 130 Wttt, Nur WhteviU*
MO-2754' (Just put BEMC)
OpM 10-5 M-T-T-f, 10-3 Sit, Oowd W?d.
yyyy tti^yyyy
Love At First Bite!
You can really sink your teeth into these
Valentine's Day gifts. Come in today and
choose from lavishly decorated cakes, cup
cakes, cookies and miniature cakes for two.
plus...
15% discount and FREE delivery*
for any orders $20 or more
'within 15 mile radius
Special orders being taken now.
MICKIE'S DONUT SHOPPE & BAKERY
754-2996
Sh?.llotte Plaza, Shallotte (across from Siz/.lin Sirloin)
strength concentration of a soluble
houscplant fertilizer. In general, plan
to fertilize your fern when day
length is increasing and to discontin
ue fertilization when day iength is
decreasing.
Do not overfertilizc ferns. These
plants arc very sensitive to fertilizer
salt buildup and several applications
of fertilizer solution over a spring
and summer season should be suffi
cient for optimum growth and vigor.
Ferns prefer a moist but well
drained soil. Ovcrwatcring or allow
ing your plant to sit in water for long
periods of time will surely cause
fungal and bacterial rots or wilts.
The best way to water a fern is to
immerse the lower half of the pot in
a bucket of water for a few minutes
and then allow the pot to drain the
excess water. Watering from the top
of the pot is fine as long as the entire
potting soil media is moistened and
the pot drains. Water thoroughly
when you water and only water
when the soil feels dry to the touch.
Indoor ferns grow best outdoors
in the indirect light of a northern ex
posure in the summer. For most
ferns, an eastern or southern expo
sure window will give best indoor
winter growth.
Send your gardening questions or
comments to The Plant Doctor, P.O.
Box 109. Bolivia. N.C. 28422.
]
Heart Month Kick-Off
Bill Potts (second from right), chairman of the 1993 American Heart Association's Brunswick County
residential campaign, hands out packets to team captains (from left) Allen Bellamy of Security Savings
and I Man, Ijjretta Todd of Southern National Bank and Sara Estep of NationsBank at the kick-off of
the "Dear Neighbor" campaign for National Heart Month. These capUiins and 16 others in the county
have recruited 95 volunteers to write 15 letters each seeking contributions from friends and neighbors.
The American Heart Association sponsors life-saving devices such as pacesetters, procedures such as
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and medications through research grants. Those not receiving a letter
but wishing to contribute should contact the American Heart Association, do Bill Potts, 1321 Marsh
Line Court SW, Shallotte NC 28459.
Woman's Club Arts Festival Set Monday
The annual arts festival of the ginning at 6:45 p.m. At 7:45, the fc- sic, drama, public speaking, pairu
Shallotte Junior Woman's Club will maining artwork can be viewed. ing, sculpture, photography, litera
be held on Monday, Feb. 8, at West Students from Waccamaw, Shal- lure, sewing and crafts.
Brunswick High School. lotlc Middle and West Brunswick Local winners will compctc at the
The public is invited to enjoy the will be competing for recognition in district level, and if successful there.
Performing Arts Competition, be- numerous art categories such as mu- will go on to state competition.
r
FOOD LION
fA
Tyson &
Holly Farms
Grade A Lb.
Who le Fryers
USD A Choice Beef ^ CllSD - Fresh Green
"Boneless" x_ _i_
chuck Roast & iceoerg
"Boneless"
Shoulder Roast
Cheerios
Reg.
$2.98
6 Oz. - Assorted Flavors
32 Oz. 2 Liter
Sprite, Diet Sprite
Hunt's ^coke
Ketchup ^Classic
2 Liter-Diet Coke, Caffeine _ ?
Free Diet Coke 95
Prices in this atl ?*ood Wednesday.
February 3 thru Tuesday. February 9. 1993. <1
We Reserve The Rijjht To Limit Quantities.