Re: $$/new intros/survival? (was Convention Matchmakers (NO
Sue Madison wrote:
>
> My grandmother & all the "flower ladies" I went with her to see, had a
> "rule" that you never said "thank-you" for a plant that was given to you.
> I encountered this over & over on tours with her. They said things like,
> "I know I shouldn't thank you or it won't grow, but..." other words to
> that effect. Where did this come from?? Sue Madison
>
> On Fri, 16 Aug 1996 CEMahan@aol.com wrote:
> > My grandmother used to say that a stolen plant won't grow (and since she had
> > a strong Puritan outlook on the world, you know what she said happens to the
> > one who steals the plant). I don't know if the stolen plant will grow or
> > not, but I still believe she was right about where the person who steals the
> > plant is going to end up! Clarence Mahan in VA
> >
In a book I have called Passalong Plants by Steve Bender and Felder
Rushing, in the Introduction, it states:
"Every member of the Passalong Club regularly states its philosophical
refrain: 'You've got something, I know what it is, and I want a piece of
it.' This isn't a demand or a threat. It simply reflects the belief that
people don't own the wonders of nature, they just take care of them for
a time. What brings joy to one should bring joy to all. The best part of
passalongs is that you can't give or receive a piece of a plant without
giving or receiving a piece of gardening advice. Just remember,
according to Southern custom, you must never thank anyone for a
passalong plant or it won't grow. Folks in the South recognize this and
will respect you for it."
Barb Johnson near Springfield, MO, who is the proud tender of several
passalongs!
