DNA exposes ferns in international plant trade

AMERICAN scientists have used DNA to identify fake ferns.

DNA testing of garden ferns sold at some American plant nurseries has found that plants marketed as American natives may actually be exotic species from other parts of the globe.

The finding relied on a new technique called “DNA barcoding” that  uses small snippets of DNA to distinguish between species, in much the same way that a supermarket scanner uses the black lines in a barcode to identify cans of soup or boxes of cereal.

A team of North Carolina researchers suspected a fern might not be what the labels said it was.

When they pasted the DNA sequence of three of the plant’s genes into an online database, they discovered that what had been labeled as Wright’s lip fern (Cheilanthes wrightii), an American native popular in rock gardens and xeriscapes, was in fact a bristle cloak fern (C. distans), a relative from Australia.

Garden guru, celebrity chef at Kitchen and Garden Show

RADIO and television gardening guru Tony Murrell and celebrity chef Helen Jackson will star in an evening of laughter, enjoyment and give aways - the Kitchen and Garden Show live at TSB Showplace, New Plymouth, on August 19.

Tony Murrell, of  TV One’s Mucking In, is joined by Helen Jackson, food editor of NZ Woman’s Weekly. She has an award-winning website Foodlovers.co.nz and as well as working on radio with Tony she has regular spots on Television One’s Good Morning show.

There are prizes and giveaways for everyone from sponsors Tui Products and part proceeds will go to the Child Cancer Foundation. Tickets available through Ticketek and from Big Jim’s Garden Centre in Bell Block, New Plymouth.

Issue #292 Plant Noticeboard

Wanted quail daffodils and Anthericum liliago (sometimes known as the Saint Bernard’s lily). I will pay any costs. Sue Stretton, Waikato, email Susan.Stretton@waikatodhb.health.nz or ph 07 825 9769.

• Does anybody have or know where I can get seeds of Hibiscus mutabilis ‘Plena’, the large double cotton or confederate rose that opens white and then turns pink. Willing to pay expenses. Lee Schlichting, 96 Arawa St, Matata, RD 4, Whakatane 3194, ph 07 322 2345.
• Could anyone give me cuttings of any of the old-fashioned carnations? There used to be a large red one with a great perfume; a pink with a maroon band around centre and and a perfume like cinnamon; a pink and mauve one named ‘Maori Chief’ and one with a lemon and maroon flower. Willing to pay postage, Gay Tait, 32 Kowhai St, Te Hapara, Gisborne 4010, email gayhillstait@xtra.co.nz
• I would like bulbs or seeds of the Oriental lily ‘Lady Lavender Rose’. Willing to pay for them. Alan, email alanrowland@clear.net.nz
• I am trying to gather a complete collection of Weekend Gardeners and need the following issues: Numbers 1-3, 10-18, 21-23, 25-28, 30, 31, 33-37, 42. If you can supply any of these magazines please contact Dianne Beattie, Old Russell Rd, RD 4, Hikurangi 0184, 
ph 09 433 9780. All costs paid.
• Our new granddaughter has been named Pania. Does anyone know where we can get the hybrid tea rose ‘Pania’. We have tried several nurseries. Perhaps someone has one growing and can give us a cutting at pruning time. We will pay costs. Beth Mooney, 46 Dalfield Pl, Palmerston North 4412, ph 06 353 6865, email ibmooney@slingshot.co.nz
• I am looking for cuttings of orange and blue geran-iums. Happy to pay all costs. Joy Johnston, 2B Collingwood Road, Waiuku 2123, ph 09 235 9291.
• The blue poppies, Meconopsis betonicifolia, M. grandis and M x sheldonii wanted. Happy to pay costs. Robbie, ph 03 689 4781 or email robbiejangus@clear.net.nz
• Does anyone know of or have the old daffodil called ‘Star of Bethlehem’? My mother had it in her garden at Mangapai in Northland. I would also like to hear of anyone with other old daffodil varieties. All expenses paid. Lori, ph 09 832 5797 or email Lori, lcrump@maxnet.co.nz
• I would like to take small mid-winter cuttings in the Auckland area from old fig, apple, pear trees for grafting If you can help please contact John, ph 09 638 7754, email john_robyn@xtra.co.nz.
• A lovely lady sent me some watsonias and also some seed but I have lost her address to recompense her. Would she please contact me. Jenny, ph 09 409 5567 or email jennywa@xtra.co.nz

June 2010 Garden Events

4 - 7 Dunkleys Great NZ Craft Show

TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, www.craftshows.co.nz

11 - 13 Nelson Alpine Garden Society Study Weekend

St Arnaud. Alpine plants from around the world. 
Five speakers, alpine plant sale and auction. 
Accommodation at backpackers. Enquires 
ph 03 541 8265,  ladleys@xtra.co.nz

11 - 13 Antiques Fair

Hamilton Gardens, Fri, Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 10am-4pm, ph 07 544 3457.

12 Kapiti Camellia Society meeting

Luncheon, Lloyd Parker Plateau Centre, Woodlands, Waikanae.

11 - 12 Marsden Bay Garden Club Mid-Winter Festival of Flowers

Ruakaka Memorial Hall, cnr SH1 and Sandford Rd, Ruakaka. Fri 12 noon-4pm, Sat 9am-3pm. 
Admission $2, children free. Ph Maureen Donaldson 09 432 0586, or Noeline Willis 09 432 8303. Plants, produce, craft, patchwork and refreshments.

11 - 13 Dunkleys Great NZ Craft Show

ASB Leisure Centre, Whangarei, www.craftshows.co.nz

12 - 14 Scrapbook & Papercraft Convention & Expo

Brisbane Exhibition Centre, South Bank, Brisbane.

16 - 19 Fieldays

Mystery Creek, Hamilton, www.fieldays.co.nz

16 - 20 Craft & Quilt Fair

Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney.

16 - 20 BBC Gardeners’ World Live

London. www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com

Weekend Gardener Gains 8000 Readers

Weekend Gardener now has 132,000 readers.
Readership jumped 6.5% for the year ended March 31, 2010, up from 124,000 for the same period last year, according to Neilsen Media National Readership Survey.
Weekend Gardener’s readership for the Q2 09 - Q1 2010 period represents 3.5% of population 10+.