Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Consider Joining the American Begonia Society, 1 by begoniacrazii

begoniacrazii wrote:
Grrrrr... I second that 'Arrgh!' Butch, not once, but twice it's happened on responding in this thread, that I typed a big long response and it disappeared 'poof' just like that! Double Arrrrgh!!! So the gist of what I wrote was....

Great points one and all! Someone said... Be the Change you want to see .

This has opened up some great, and much needed dialog and should be presented to the ABS. For how can they make the changes we would like to see if they are unaware that the members want changes (forgive any assumptions here). Excellent opportunity to write and tell those who can, to make the necessary improvements.

Agreed!, The ABS should be the # 1 source and best source for begonia info on the web, but I also find it somewhat lacking as a resource. With the ABS, it isn't a perfect world, but all the more reason to get involved. It's my opinion, that the ABS could take a lesson or two from the AVS (violet society). Their web site is much more comprehensive, loads of photos (but could be organized better to help in determining and ID the way the Astro branch does with their begonias) but great nonetheless, much more user friendly. As is the magazine. It's full sized, tons of photos, lots of Q and A, letters, newbie articles etc. But again, I pose this, how will they know the changes/improvements are needed unless we speak up, get involved, holler and stomp our collective feet.

Butch, yea, we do have a great advantage of having some of the best begonia heads over here on the left coast. And I cant wait to chat it up with both Mikes, Brad and Joolz - tour Joolz’ beautiful gardens and visit Kartuz next month. I have so many questions! I fear email would drive them batty (not that I wont in person! LOL) but agreed, we do have some excellent sources. Then again, you have Tim and Rehka over there. Wish you could join us next month!

Maybe it's just me, but this year, I'm seeing a huge selection of begonias available on the market (the local bay area market), perhaps the word is getting out on what an abfab foliage and flowering plant a begonia is. And yes, you are correct in noting that the average person thinks of fibrous, tuberous and perhaps Reiger's when they think of begonias, such a sad thing!!! That's where we come in! By buying/requesting more of the new varieties on the market (well not necessarily new hybrids, but new to commercial propagation on the west coast anyway), and requesting our local nurseries carry more. We let the growers know that the need is there.

I asked a while back if the ABS editor would be interested in me submitting some of my photos and was met with an enthusiastic and encouraging 'YES'! Now, I'm no great photog, so if my photos are encouraged, imagine submitting yours Butch! Your Thai begonia photos would be a great set to submit! Sue, Kell you two are great photogs too, so send em in!! I think the magazine is perhaps lacking in submissions. The thing that I believe may be happening is that there are a lot of sage begonia growers/members who don’t need a section for ‘newbies’ in the magazine and so over time it was dropped or forgotten altogether. It’s time to bring it back (assuming there was section for beginners at one time) or at least ask for it. I for one, would love to see more newbie info. I’ve been growing along time but still have much to learn!!

On an up note, I contacted the local SFO branch once again, and this time I received a reply. (last one must have gone to a junk mail folder) The meetings are on the first Wednesday of the month at the SFO arboretum! And since I’m already at the arboretum on Wednesdays, it’s a slam dunk for me to attend this local meeting and stop feeling badly about not being able to make the Sacramento meetings. Next meeting is in a week, so I’ll report back on how it goes and bring up the topics discussed here. I’m told they also always have plants for sale! Woo hoo! I’ll let everyone know how it goes.

This has been a great dialog here. At first I scratched my head and wondered what brand of ‘Can–O-Worms’ I had opened, but I see it as such an opportunity to draw in the needed ‘new blood’ to the organization, the impetus for needed changes and improvements and the kick-in-the-buns to be motivated to instigate these improvements and needs to be met! Thanks for sharing your disappointment! Perception is so unique, where some of you are disappointed, I was just the opposite, but my eyes are more open to the needs for some changes. Things I had not thought of prior. Some big changes! Begonias are so contagious, and I hope to spread more enthusiasm for them. I hope you all are encouraged to write some emails or letters –or- go to the feedback page on the ABS website (link below) and let them know you want more more more! It’s my hope that rather than be discouraged from joining based on what the ABS lacks but rather be encouraged to join to assist in making the organization the sum of what we need. It’s my hope that a big gust of fresh breath will be breathed into the ABS and encourage it to rise to the demands of it’s members!

And in finishing this post, I want to add that the intended tone of the above jabbering is with excitement, encouragement and the enthusiasm of a begonia cheerleader waving big rex begonia pom pom’s energy. Tone is so hard to relay in emails or posts, so wanted to clarify my position. So I’ll put down my pompom’s and step down off the soap box and give someone else a turn!!

Here’s the link to the ABS website feedback form. http://begonias.org/contact/feedback.asp

And here’s the contact link. http://begonias.org/contact/index.asp

Go Get ‘em tigers! [kidding] And with that, I'll leave you with b. 'Shamus'