Here are photos of the ferns that I have found growing in Northern Uganda. Apart from this first one all are unidentified. So any help would be much appreciated!
This one is Davallia denticulata. I found it growing on a palm tree that was knocked down to make way for a wider road. see http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/856142/
Now it is doing very well.
Here is common creeping fern that grows on many oil palms that are found here but also by the side of streams and other damp places.
This is a young stagshorn fern. But I think is is commonly called a cabbage fern as its leaves are not divided
I love the frond structure of this fern also found on an oil palm.
Another fern from an oil palm.
This fern I found growing on a big rock outcrop in the full sun. It has grown much bigger under cultivation.
This maidenhair fern grew in the same place but has not done so well with cultivation. Though atleast it has not died!
One last fern from the rock outcrop.
These last two ferns I go from a trip into Southern Sudan we went high into the mountains on the border between Uganda and Sudan. Here is the photo of the trip near where I found the ferns growing on a bridge. Not what we think of as Sudan, the climate is cool and damp and very fertile.
I am amazed they survived the two day trip back to Arua! I would have liked to explore more but I had just a few hours there
This last one I was not sure if it was really a fern but it has black wirey roots. So I think it is even though I don't see any sori. I have just potted it up this week so I hope it takes.
Lovely to see these plants from Africa!
I LOVE the look of these ferns. Very nice.
You're right. That's not what I think of when I hear about Sudan. Are you in the picture?
Very nice pictures. Love all the pictures. In the last
one, is that rocks or soil that the plant is in. That is
a beautiful lush jungle. i'm curious like katie59, are you in
the picture?
Hey everyone thanks for your encouragement! Internet has been horrible out here so I am sorry abot the delay....
I planted the ferns in a mixure of brick dust and broken bricks and composed to try and get the free draining mixure that I found the ferns growing in.
Lastly, sorry I am not in the picture!
I love all the variety of your ferns and look forward to more pictures!
Thank you, I am hoping if I can make some time to go and explore these mountains abit as there could be lots more interesting plants. Maybe even tree ferns which is really what I want to try. The problem with living in these parts is that there are no nurseries from which to by stuff with out hge shipping costs.
These mountains are just becoming accessable as the LRA rebels are no longer there and the whole area is very underdeveloped.
You have to keep them watered very well to grow them in the brick dust ,
don't you. They are very beautiful ferns. I bet you fine lots ofplant life
in the jungle. Good luck.
Mvul, where are you originally from? What made you move to Arua? I don't want to completely derail the thread, but I'd love to hear more about you and what you are doing in your gardens?
And definitely be careful!
Hi there Ridesaredmule, thanks for the input. I struggle to get the balence between free draining and water retensive soil here especially as there is no potting compost that I can buy. But with a four month dry season just arround the corner I will definitly keep an eye on things.
Forest is quite rare here. Most of the area arround where I am is cultivated or at least grazed, as there is quite a high population density. The only forest you find are Eucalyptus which are planted for firewood and curing tobacco, the local cash crop. So that's why I was happy to find myself in the natural forests pictured.
Katie, I am John from England and I am married to Vikki from Spokane WA. I have been in Africa way too long but I love it out here! We have three kids (3, 5, and7) two of which were born in Uganda. Its a beautiful country and right now I can't imagine living anywhere else. We are Christian and work for YWAM with the churches, children and other disadvataged in Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan. You can check out Vikki's blog at www.alumpofclayinafrica.blogspot.com and for our work at www.ywamarua.blogspot.com
The work is challenging sometimes stressfull and very rewarding, but gardening provides a perfect relaxation for me, though I have to admit I get stressed watching over my seedling palms!
Seriously?! Tell Vikki from Spokane hello from someone in the Pacific Northwest. I'm actually from Alaska first, but am now fully planted in Washington State in the U.S.
It's good work you do. I'll check out Vikki's blog!!
That is very insprational work that you do for the folks
of Africa. I can see they are really glad that you have
come to help them. You are a true blessing.
Did they ever get their toilets built? I know it may be
silly question but it is a neccesary question.
Charleen
Charleen - good pun (they used to call toilets "necessaries"). :-)
Sometimes ,we just have to say things, that we just know
has been said before. But it was too good to pass up.
But now wouldn't it be interesting to know what they did??
Charleen
I'm missing something here! what Toilets??
Vikki's in Nigeria right now looking forwards to her coming back next week :-)
Yeah!!! That's it, Where the John???
Have you got them built yet?? That is what I am
wondering about, especially if you are "drinking
from the river" YUK!!!Is there any way of filtering it so you may use it?
Charleen
Ok ok!
Actually I live in Arua town so we have piped water and live in a regular house, with running water and electricty most ofthe time. Up in the mountains we have to purify our water.
Oh, thank you. That is what I wanted to hear. Enjoyed your pic of
the community and your little girl is so cute.
You have power surges with your Electricity. That could be interesting.
But , at leat you have a few conveniences for your family.
Charleen
