Re: Advice needed
gardenchat@hort.net
  • Subject: Re: Advice needed
  • From: A*@aol.com
  • Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2011 09:43:04 -0400 (EDT)
I'm sure you're right, Noreen, that some of the students don't pay 
attention to proper horticultural nomenclature.  We try to make a
point of that, and one lecture in each series is just on taxonomy, 
but some still don't seem to get it.  That's especially surprising
since one requirement for eligibility for top horticulture awards in
standard flower shows is proper botanical name.  It's always
surprising to me what some people don't learn.
 
I really appreciate the insights I've been given here.  I am trying to
pass this program along in the best possible shape.  I have run this
system for 22 years - much too long - and I'm sure my successor
will make some changes, but I still want things to work right.  I have
felt over the years that it was an excellent system - in fact this has
always been the one weak spot.  Having three schools this spring
and every one of them showing this particular weakness just made
me feel that I wasn't doing something right here.
 
Thanks again for all your input.
Auralie
 
In a message dated 8/2/2011 8:56:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
TeichFauna@aol.com writes:

Hmmmm....  I figured picking up on the fact that it is Cherokee Chief  or 
even Ospo Red, would be enough for a yes answer, considering that it isn't  
the true species that is protected.  But since you said that most answered  
no, then perhaps it's not enough emphasis on basic proper horticulture  
nomenclature??  The genus plus the specific epithet.  Genus in Latin  
capitalized, species in Latin, but not capitalized......followed by 
varietal  names 
also not capitalized preceeded by  var.    Or followed by a hybrid name (in 
 
modern language) which is always capitalized.  Cultivars (cultivated  
varieties with distinguishing characters) written in modern language,  
capitalized, 
and in single quotation marks or followed by  cv.

Perhaps it is taken for granted that at that point everyone in the  class 
should know this, when most don't????  I must admit that I was  foggy on 
proper writing of varieties, hybrids and cultivars......but  could at least 
recognize the difference between those and a true species in  names.  I was 
surprised to find out that a few in our class couldn't.   So this might be 
the 
same in your classes?

Noreen
zone 9
Texas Gulf Coast




In a message dated 8/1/2011 3:30:49 PM Central Daylight Time,  
Aplfgcnys@aol.com writes:

Unfortunately, Noreen, most of them say "no" and give me some  stuff
about it's being on the Protected Plant List and can only be shown  in
educational exhibits.  At least they get the point that protected  plants
are not to be exhibited in competitive classes. 

As for  questions that are not covered in the lectures - I always sit in 
myself,  or if that's not possible, appoint a knowledgable master judge 
to sit with  a list of questions and answers just to be sure all points are 

covered.  If I feel that one is not being sufficiently addressed, I  will 
ask 
stupid-sounding questions until the answer is completely  covered.
I make up the examinations myself, but from questions and  answers
submitted by the speakers.  I want to be sure that the answer  I have 
on the answer-sheet is exactly what the speaker says, not just  what
I think.  When I return the graded exams I always include an  answer
sheet, thinking that if the student is interested, he/she can learn  from
mistakes.  I often wonder if they really look at the returned  exams other
than to see if they passed.

My opinion is that they  somehow don't register on the "distinguishing
feature" aspect.  I  don't always use "Cherokee Chief" as the example.
Sometimes I use another  like Kalmia "Ospo Red" or some other such.
I just think "Cherokee Chief" is  a popular one that these people should
know.  Oh well.  I'll keep  trying.
Auralie

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