This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

[GWL]: Several things


Hi everyone,
This is my first post to this list as I have just joined the group. I am 
a horticulturist,rose nursery owner and writer. I have to admit I'm 
astounded by the activity of you guys. I anticipated lots on writing as 
this is what I joined it for but not for spouting off ones grips with 
the garden center industry. I find this more than amusing and have I 
have to reply with my humble opinions (and that's all it is - just my 
opinion) 

1) Firstly I don't think garden writers should be entitled to free 
plants for trial. There's far too much temptation to be biased that way. 
If you wish "true to the zone" information then get in contact with the 
many gardeners involved in garden clubs and societies that will have the 
information you require. Until a plant is in the market for at least two 
years you will simply not get any other results on it's performance 
other than the releasing company's trials report and that's if their 
reputable enough to have trials. (most do)
As I am in Nova Scotia, Canada zone 5, I depend on the COPF (Canadian 
Ornamental Plant Foundation )for a great bit of information on new 
varieties. They ahve a web site at: www.copf.ca. It's in its infancy so 
it's not fully yup and running yet. They are a wealth of information on 
any newly registered plant. From annual pelargoniums(geraniums), 
impatients, shrubs and trees and roses. They can certainly give you the 
goods on new plants.

2)As for the knowledge of garden center personnal, I can't reason why 
any garden center would risk their ecomonic well being by not training 
staff on the products they sell. Now that doesn't mean that they have to 
know everything about every plant know to mankind either! Just that they 
should have a good working knowledge of how plants work and the plants 
their company sells. Unfortunatley this does not come cheap. Either you 
hire a trained employee from a horticultral institute or well seasoned 
garden center worker. Ideally you train them yourself with a 
tag(trainee) so the cusomer will know not to expect too much of them at 
the moment along with seasoned employees. The realization of all this is 
that the cost is ultimatley passed on to the consumer. If you want cheap 
plants then, for the most part, you have to deal with inexperienced 
staff and do your homework yourself.(the web is wonderful for plant 
research)

3) As for unique or unusual plants my advise is that you should expect 
that there will not be many who will be an expert on these. You don't go 
to a doctor that is a G.P. and expect him or her to know all about rare 
diseases. You would go to a specialist in that field. Well it's the same 
with these types of plants. the reality of this is that you probably 
will not find anyone locally for that and will have to refer to a 
Botanical Garden that grows them or that plants society for expert 
advise. 
4)Sheri, when you study horticulture you study the world of plants in 
general. You have to specialize in specific plants just as a medical 
specialist does. Most of that knowledge comes when in the trade, not the 
schoolroom.

5)Carolyn,  I HATE popcorn protection too. I think why most companies 
practise this are looking at it from an organcic point of view. It's not 
all that cheap to use either. They do compost very well, I may add and 
they don't cling to you like stryofoam chip do!

6) I am too very concerned about the U.S. post offices intent on using 
radiation to scan the mail. My main business is via mail and courier. I 
think everyone concerned should contact their government representative 
about the impact this will have on our industry. Surely horticulture is 
a large enough industry to induse them to seek a means around this 
highly dangerous plan. As garden writers let us let the general 
gardening public know what is happening based on solid knowledge of the 
topic with an effort on trying to scare an already scared North American 
population. We can have an impact on this.
  
7)Thank-you all for letting me give my opinions and If I can help with 
something please let me know. I'm really looking forward to "you all" in 
my emails every morning. Heaven only knows I may never get any work 
done.

8) I'd to would like a copy of the new directory when it come out. 
 
The Rose Lady

============================================
Thinking about selling your home within the next 5 months?
Don't gamble with the biggest transaction of your life! Use
HomeGain’s free service to find & compare local Realtors®.
http://click.topica.com/caaad14bUrGSSbVSZwBf/HomeGain
============================================

Pass the word to garden writers, editors publishers, horticultural businesses about our list.

==^================================================================
EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bUrGSS.bVSZwB
Or send an email To: Gardenwriters-unsubscribe@topica.com
This email was sent to: topica.com@spamfodder.com

T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail!
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register
==^================================================================
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index