Newsletter/September 2008

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THE HAPPY VEGE

Newsletter of the Hydroponic Gardening Society of Victoria Inc.
A.C.N. A00041361J.

NOTES ON WHAT HAS HAPPENED

The July meeting was held at George and Marge Lucas’s home with a good turn up of members. The TV filming went well and it should be shown in a month or so Leo is a film star. Gerry’s tomatoes are already 2 foot high and his Elanto are still ripening albeit slowly. George gave a dissertation on Humic and Folic acid to be printed in a future newsletter. A discussion on vegetable seed germination indicated that elevated temperatures were desirable, the following list indicates a starting for germination. These temperatures can be obtained using 1 cm of sand in an old fry pan set on the lowest setting, a warm spot on top of a hot water system or a propriety germination kit bought from a shop. When the members stopped talking we were treated to feast by George and Marge.

If any member has a beaut low cost sure way of germinating seeds that you would like to share, drop me a line.

The August AGM was held at David and Kaye Francis home. The months of political campaigning finally resulted in a momentous occasion, the annual elections. The exalted positions are as follows:

The AGM Report by David Francis

This year has gone as fast as each year seems to these days. Our group is steadily growing and is working well and members are enjoying their hydroponics. During the year the trip to Flavorite was well attended and all members had a great time. We are looking forward to this years trip.
The annual distribution of tomatoes, nutrient and other items went well and thanks to Miles for arranging the day. Most members were very happy with the crops of Elanto tomatoes this year and look forward to next seasons crop.
Recently Leo organised with the ABC Garden Show for a segment on hydroponics at his house and it went very well. This will be shown on September 27th-28th . We all look forward to seeing this.
Mark organised an update on our leaflet and it looks great and we expect a number of new members.
I wish to thank everybody for their help during the year.
David Francis. President 2007-2008.

Orders for seedling and tomato plant distribution were logged and distribution arranged for next month. The new variety of “Albion” Strawberries are hopefully available in January 09. Gerry is still cropping tomatoes from last season and this in an unheated plastic growing room on the back of his house in Melbourne in a cold winter. The meeting then partook of a delightful morning tea organised by Kaye.

A NOTE FROM THE SECRETARY

Another growing season is almost upon us let us hope we have sufficient water available to see us through the complete season without too many restrictions. At the time of writing our dams are little more than 32% & with stage 4 restrictions coming in when they are down to 29% the situation does not look hopeful for this season.
A few members have not paid their membership fees for the year commencing 1st July. This will be the last newsletter sent to those people unless their fees are received.
I would like to thank David Francis for the many years of work he has put in as President & like to thank Mark for stepping in. My thanks also goes to Lance for setting up the web site, Jack for his many years of dedicated work as Treasurer. Thanks also for Leo for his work as Public Officer & for contacting the ABC gardening show & getting some publicity. We are all looking forward to seeing that show in September & hope we a few enquiries & new members from it. Thanks also to Fred for the Newsletter & lastly to the members and partners for hosting the meetings & supplying refreshments.
I had hoped to have Gardeners Delight tomato plants available for the September meeting but since pricking out and being off the hot tray they have not grown at all, so unfortunately it now looks as if it will be sometime in October before they will be ready.
David Fisher Secretary.

NEW AND NOT SO NEW TOYS FOR THE BOYS

This one is endorsed by the Society. Lance has set up a new site for information and chat site for the society . Members should use it and we all will benefit from the sharing of knowledge. The site is [www.hydroponicgardening.wikispot.org]
As the newsletter will be on the site and open to the public the names and address of members who are hosting the monthly meetings will be notified to members separately by email or post.
Saw a Humic Acid containing additive the other day which may be worth trailing to see if the Humic Acid is of benefit to your system. The product is called “Gro Storm” from Flairform Products. They claim* Increased plant vitality * Improved crop yield and quality *Increased resistance to environmental stress( e.g. less prone to frost damage or wilting during drought ).Contact www.flairform.com for more information, or ask at your friendly hydroponic shop

THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE

Courtesy of Fraser Coast Hydroponic Group.

The young Minister was asked to give a grave-side service for a homeless man with no family or friends. The funeral was to be a cemetery way out in the countryside. This was a new cemetery and this man was to be the first to be laid to rest there.
No familiar with the area, the young clergyman became lost. But finally he found the cemetery about an hour late. The backhoe was there and the crew were eating their lunch. The hearse was nowhere to be seen.
The Minister apologised to the workers for being late. As he looked into the open grave he saw the vault lid already in place. He told the workers he would not keep the long, but that was the proper thing to do. The workers still eating their lunch, gathered around the opening.
The Minister young and enthusiastic, poured out his heart and soul as he preached. The workers joined in with “Praise the Lord”, “Amen” and “Glory!” When the service was over, The Minister said a heartfelt prayer and walked to his car. As he opened the door, he overheard one of the workers say, I never saw anything like that before and I’ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years.

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