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

hcmcdole wrote:
I think you summed it up pretty good there, Laurie. Maybe the ABS old-timers are happy with the status quo and this being my "freshman" year with both the ABS and the local chapter has been full of ups and downs.

I'm glad you posted the links on feedback. I sent in suggestions to Donna but the only thing I got back after I prompted her to see if she got my check was yes, thank you. I did get some feedback from Bill Claybaugh on their excellent site (abastro) when I commented what was great and what needed a little work.

I'm trying to inject some enthusiasm in our local chapter by getting back to basics instead of having lunch and planning future meetings for an entire year (thank goodness that meeting wasn't my first one else I would've been out the door). First thing you have to do is attend and see how the tone is and the hierarchy. Once you get to know the other members then you can raise questions or suggestions on what you want to know or what you expected to learn. You sure wouldn't want to go in and upset the apple cart on the first visit if they didn't live up to your expectations. Unfortunately I missed my last meeting which I hated but it sounded like it turned out great because they were getting back to basics which is great for new-comers and maybe a refresher course for old-timers (so I heard from a few of the members).

The next thing is to spread the word - whether in person, email, a forum like this, or on the phone to get more people involved. The problem is getting the word out to the masses. That takes advertising and advertising is big bucks. Right now it looks like we are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

We certainly have had better dialogue here than anywhere else on what ails the ABS. All other forums and sellers (Kartuz comes to mind) is to join the ABS and reasons to do so. I know it isn't fair to compare The Begonian with a magazine like Fine Gardening but the costs are similar (that is if you subscribe to a magazine rather than picking it up at the magazine rack).



Nan,

I agree with you on IDs. A lot are wild guesses but even the ones we buy at any store (even the growers) are subject to error. With thousands of hybrids how does anyone keep up with them all? The thing that gets me is how many are so similar - especially canes.

I'll buy a plant without a name if it strikes me just right and worry about its name later. Some people say you should destroy the plant if you ever lose the name tag or at least keep it to yourself and not give it to anyone else. Gee whiz, you'd think they were ugly ducklings.

I've corrected some eBay sellers on their names and for the most part have gotten positive feedback. I really hate it when a seller gives a name to a plant that isn't correct and insists that it is correct. It would be better to label it as an unknown in this case.

Laurie,

Great pic of your Shamus. Here is mine today in the same cramped fishbowl it has been in for over a year now.