Re: Rather sad
gardenchat@hort.net
  • Subject: Re: Rather sad
  • From: B* <b*@comcast.net>
  • Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2010 16:07:50 +0000 (UTC)
Well, here we are slow to change. I find the plant societies pleasant to
work with and ready to share their knowledge. It's the garden clubs that
tend to be snooty.


B 
ETN Zone 7 
Remember the River Raisin, the Alamo, the Maine, Pearl Harbor, 911. 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Zemuly Sanders" <zemuly@comcast.net> 
To: gardenchat@hort.net 
Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2010 9:34:41 AM 
Subject: Re: [CHAT] Rather sad 

Well said, Noreen. 
zem 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <TeichFauna@aol.com> 
To: <gardenchat@hort.net> 
Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2010 8:26 AM 
Subject: Re: [CHAT] Rather sad 


> Sorry, I'm coming in on this a bit late..... 
> 
> I totally agree. Here in Houston there are many different plant 
> societies. For years I heard about the snooty reputation, some more than 
> others. I 
> attended the shows to see the various plants that I had only seen in 
> books, make a wish list and buy the plants at the sales, since back then 
> there 
> was no internet, so you had to purchase locally. Garden club or society 
> plant sales were and still are for the most part, the best place to 
> purchase 
> the more unusual and hard to find plants (at a cheaper price than online) 
> that actually do well in the area...and get first hand info from 
> experienced 
> growers. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the people were not 
> snooty at all. I found them to be very eager to share their passion and 
> knowledge. I joined those groups that I had the most interest in that 
> particular 
> plant group. I avoided even trying to join the orchid society because I 
> had heard they were the worst. I have now been a member for 3 years and 
> was 
> upset that I hadn't joined sooner. 
> 
> Times have changed, membership to a society is no longer considered as 
> prestigious as it once was 25+ years ago. From what I was told, there 
> were 
> waiting lists to join the various plant societies, and one had to have a 
> recommendation to join. Plants were much harder to obtain and therefore 
> cost 
> much more, so membership was pretty limitted to those that could afford 
> the 
> plants to begin with. But all this has changed, and those members that 
> tried to maintain these standards are no longer around. Nowadays, I 
> find 
> that the society members are just extremely generous and passionate about 
> their plants, and eager to pass on excess plants and information to 
> anyone 
> that shows a legitimate interest in learning......not just obtaining free 
> plants. They are especially accepting of members that participate as 
> well. 
> Unfortunately there are those that are just out for what they can get. 
> Some 
> societies have a newcomers group (I laughingly call it a probationary 
> period) that is required before becoming a member.......but in actuality 
> this 
> is the best thing. Newbies learn the basics by going to members houses 
> once a month to learn about certain genera, growing methods, etc. and 
> given 
> starter plants to try. By the time the two year period is up, they have a 
> pretty good collection and knowledge about the plant group and know if 
> they 
> want to join or not. Many drop out after a couple months finding out 
> that 
> they aren't as into the particular plant as they thought........... but 
> many 
> stay and become active productive members. These groups are social as 
> well as educational, and highly rewarding, but mostly to those that show 
> an 
> interest or share their passion. 
> 
> Noreen 
> zone 9 
> Texas Gulf Coast 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> In a message dated 7/29/2010 9:25:30 PM Central Daylight Time, 
> Aplfgcnys@aol.com writes: 
> 
> You should at least look at their shows. I admit some clubs are 
> "snooty," though less and less these days, but Federated clubs, 
> as opposed to Garden of America clubs, are real meritocracies. 
> You are appreciated for the work you do, and status is gained 
> by achievement. Aside from that, I just feel that the pleasure you 
> would get from a well-organized show is something you should 
> experience. I admit I'm a bit nuts, but a flower show is a special 
> event. Everyone involved is trying to make the best effort possible. 
> You demonstrate what you have accomplished both artistically 
> by flower arrangements, and horticulturally by exhibiting the very 
> best specimens you can grow. It's a real ego trip, I know, but 
> I really think you would enjoy a good flower show. 
> 
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