Newsletter of the American Gesneriad Society of San Francisco
Program: Field Trip to Show and Sale of the
Delta Gesneriad and African Violet Societies
The Prez Sez...
by Katherine Henwood
Here it is October and the maple tree has started its annual strip tease, which will last well onto December. So you will find me frequently in the back yard, raking leaves!
Another thing that comes up at this time of year is the matter of officers for the coming year. Normally, we would appoint a nominating committee at the October meeting, but since we won't be having our regular meeting, I will be calling around to find three willing souls. I also ask that if you are asked to accept nomination to office, that you seriously consider accepting. Check out your copy of our By-Laws for officers and their duties.
On the blooming front, my Petrocosmea seriacea has at least two rings of buds peeking out under the leaves! It should still be in bloom for our November meeting, I can hardly wait!
Those of you going to Sacramento for the Delta Show and Sale should have a great time. I hope that most if not all of you can make it!
Show and Sale of the Delta Gesneriad and African Violet Societies
by David Waugh
At our September meeting we discussed arrangements for our Field Trip to Sacramento on October 22 for the joint Show and Sale of the Delta Gesneriad and African Violet Societies. It opens at 2pm. The location, as in previous years, is the Sacramento Garden and Arts Center, McKinley Park, Alhambra Boulevard and E Streets. The official address is 3300 McKinley
Boulevard.
It was agreed that cars would leave the parking lot behind the San Francisco Fair Building at 11am for the drive to Sacramento. We will have a picnic in the park, and then attend the show and Sale. We will probably leave about 4pm for the drive back to San Francisco.
Those going on the field trip should pack a lunch and drinks, along with food to share at our picnic in the park.
Please call David Waugh at 415 239 4315 or email at dgwah@sbcglobal.net before October 19 if you plan to join this field trip so that drivers/cars can be arranged.
Show and Tell and Raffle Table
by Lorah Gross
Alan brought the following Sinningia for show and tell: defoliate, magnifica, ‘Distant Lights’, and reitzii and hybrids. He donated Nematanthus ‘Mardi Gras’ to the raffle table. Gene brought Streptocarpus ‘Heidi’ and Nem. ‘Chatterbox’ for show and tell and donated Streptocarpella ‘Saxorum’ cuttings to the raffle table. Katherine brought Smithiantha ‘Little Me’, Sinningia ‘FIP’, Gloxinia ‘Medea’, Strep. ‘White Ruffles’ (small pink?), Strep. Cyandrus, and Petrocosmea formosus for show and tell. She donated x C. ‘Jennifer Goode’, Strep cyanansius, Strep ‘White Ruffles’ and Sinningia ‘FIP’ to the raffle table. Terri brought a small trailer called ‘Pixie Blue’ for show and tell and donated cuttings of Episcia ‘Red Dawg’ and a miniature rose plant to the raffle table. Jon brought the following Chirita for show and tell: ‘Blue Moon’, senensis seedling (L. Lyons), sinensis ‘Hisako’, and ‘Chastity. He brought the following Petrocosmea for show and tell: minor ‘Round Leaf’ and minor ‘Painted Leaf.’ He also brought Sinningia leopoldii and Columnea cu red flowers for show and tell. He donated the following plants to the raffle table: Primulina tabicum, Chirita ‘Kitagon’ (3 plants), ‘Dream Time, and ‘Betty’, Episcia ‘Freya’ and Gloxinetta lindenii. Don donated Alsobia ‘chicfors’ [?] to the raffle table.
August 2005 Show and Sale
by Terri Campbell
Thanks to all AGS-SF members for their hard work and dedication. We had an excellent show and sale. Sale numbers are still TBA, but we sold a significant number of plants and cuttings, and I'm sure that the final tally will be good news. Also, we imparted our knowledge to those who sought it, and we signed up some people for the mailing list. Those who patronized the sale had a wonderful opportunity to purchase seldom seen treasures. I'm not telling how much money I spent myself, or how many new gesneriads came home with me! Congratulations to all. Note: Please see attachment for show results.
Alan LaVergne has posted some excellent photos from our show on gesneriphiles. The show was a memorable one, including 85 entries (from 7 exhibitors!), new hybrids, and seldom seen species. Our judges told us that they enjoyed judging our show, because of the quality and variety of the plants, and the rarity of a number of them. We also had a good cross-section of plants of different forms and types, and from a wide variety of original habitats.
Alan LaVergne on Hybridizing
by David Waugh
He showed us his main tools, a sharp knife and dental floss. He explained that it is appropriate to open flowers not yet fully opened on the plant intended to make seed. Also, remove the anther of the seed plant so that it will not get to the stigma and self pollinate. Once the stigma is exposed on the seed plant, remove the pollen from the pollinating plant and touch it to the stigma of the seed plant. Pollination has been attempted. If all things go well, seed will be formed on that flower. Label that flower with a piece of dental floss tied around it so you will remember which flower you pollinated.
Wait for seed to form in the pollinated plant, approximately 30 days. Then collect the seed, let it dry, and then plant it reasonably soon.
Minutes of The American Gesneriad Society of San Francisco
September 18, 2005 Meeting
by David Waugh, Secretary
The meeting was called to order at 1:12pm by President Katherine Henwood. The following were also present: David Waugh, Gene Sussli, Larry Williams, Celine Chase, Terri Lynn Campbell, Jon Dixon, Alan LaVergne, Anna Chou.
Minutes: There were no amendments to the minutes of the August meeting printed in the September Newsletter.
The Treasurer was unable to attend the meeting. In her absence David Waugh has temporarily taken over getting bills paid with checks sent to him by the Treasurer. He passed around a summary of the income/expenses for the August 2005 Show and Sale. The net income was $361.15. Any member wanting a copy of this summary please request it from David Waugh
We then discussed ways we might reduce costs for future show and sales. One way would be to perhaps reduce the number of awards given. This would reduce the dollar amounts spent on awards and maybe make the awards given more meaningful. One of the bigger expenses is the printing and mailing of the flyers to our mailing list. The cost of postage cannot be reduced. Maybe the printing of the flyer in black and white, instead of a color, would reduce that cost. This needs to be studied. Using only one room instead of two rooms might reduce rental fees.
A way to maybe generate more income is to have pictures of plants near sale plants not in bloom. We need to try to generate more foot traffic by having our show and sale on the same day as the San Francisco Fair Building is being used by another plant organization. Our sale in June 2006 is scheduled the same day as the Bromeliad Society.
We determined the dates for our 2006 meetings on the third Sunday of each month. We will have a sale in early June, and a Show and Sale in late August, dates of both these events to be confirmed with the Reservations Secretary of SF Fair Bldg.
The 2006 San Mateo County Fair dates are August 12-21.
We then discussed arrangements for our Field Trip to Sacramento on October 22 to visit the Delta Show and Sale. Notification of this (where to meet, what to bring) will be sent to all members.
The subject of Judging shows was discussed. Our August Show was based on the Merit system, as opposed to the Competitive system. After we had printed and distributed the August Show Schedule, we learned that Judges of shows on the Merit system do not get credit by GS (formerly AGGS) toward judging credentials. The three judges of our show were notified. In view of this we all agreed that in the future all our judged shows will be based on the Competitive system.
We then did Show and Tell.
Alan LaVergne gave a short talk on hybridizing.
We then did the raffle.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:49 pm
2005 Officers
President: Katherine Henwood
Vice President: Terri Lynn Campbell
Secretary: David Waugh
Treasurer: Irene Fey (please request Irene’s address from Lorah Gross)
Newsletter Editor: Lorah Gross lorah@lorah.net
Meetings: Usually third Sunday of each month, 1-4 p.m. at Library of County Fair Bldg., Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. (Enter from parking lot North side of 10th Avenue and Lincoln Blvd., turn right through gate next to building, go to third door)
2005 meetings: April 17, June 19, July 17 (Board meeting before regular meeting), August 21, September 18, November 20, December 18 Holiday Luncheon.
Shows, Sales, and Field Trips:
May TBA Field Trip, June 4 Exhibit and Plant Sale, July 5-10 AGGS Convention (Portland, OR), October TBA Field Trip
Dues: $10 single, $11 family. Make checks payable to AGS SF, mail to Treasurer.
Website: http://www.agssf.org
AGSSF August 2005 Show Results
Best in Show, Best Tuberous, Best Species: Sinningia leucotricha, grown by Katherine Henwood
Runner-Up and Helen O’Neal Award: Achimenes ‘Jennifer Goode’ grown by Katherine Henwood
Best (Gesneriad grown by a ) Novice: Kohleria ‘Manchu’ – grown by Gene Sussli
Best Fibrous Old World: Aeschynanthus garrettii, grown by Katherine Henwood
Best Hanging Plant: Columnea ‘Delores Delago’ grown by Jon Dixon
Best Rhizomatous: Achimenes ‘Jennifer Goode’ grown by Katherine Henwood
Best Ornamental: Nematanthus texeirianus, grown by Terri Lynn Campbell
Best Artistic: Bubble bowl with saintpaulia blossoms -- Katherine Henwood
Best in Class winners
Section A
Class 1 Sinningia speciosa, species or hybrids
Sinningia speciosa ‘Emperor William’ – David Waugh
Class 3 Other sinningia species, upright habit
Sinningia leucotricha – Katherine Henwood
Class 5 – Other sinningia hybrids, upright habit
Sinningia sp. aff. reitzii (sp. Black Hill) x s. gigantifolia – Jon Dixon
Class 7 – Other tuberous gesneriads
Chrysothemis pulchella – David Waugh
B – Class 8 – Achimenes
Achimenes ‘Jennifer Goode’ – Katherine Henwood
Section C
Class 14 – Codonanthe, xCodonatanthus
xCodonatanthus ‘Aurora” – Katherine Henwood
Class 15 – Columnea, Dalbergaria, Pentadenia, Tricantha
Columnea ‘Aladdin’s Lamp’ – Harriette Poss
Class 16 – Episcia
Episcia ‘Katherine’ – Harriette Poss
Section D
Class 20 – Aeschynanthus
Aeschynanthus garrettii – Katherine Henwood
Class 21 – Chirita species
Chirita spadiciformis – Jon Dixon
Class 22 – Chirita hybrids
Chirita ‘Chastity’ – Jon Dixon
Class 23 – Petrocosmea
Petrocosmea kerrii – Katherine Henwood
Class 24 – Saintpaulia species
Saintpaulia obucularis var. purpurea – Harriette Poss
Class 27 – Saintpaulia less than 6” in diameter
Saintpaulia semiminiature ‘Candy Crystals’ – Terri Lynn Campbell
Class 28 – Streptocarpus streptocarpella
Streptocarpus streptocarpella alba – Katherine Henwood
Class 29 – Streptocarpus species, acaulescent
Streptocarpus sp. aff. johannis – Jon Dixon
Class 30 – Streptocarpus hybrids, acaulescent
Streptocarpus ‘Mighty Mouse’ – Katherine Henwood
Class 31 –Other Old World gesneriads
Lysionotia pauciflora – Jon Dixon
Section E – Gesneriads grown for ornamental qualities other than flowers – no episcias
Class 32 – Any qualifying gesneriad
Nematanthus texeirianus – Terri Lynn Campbell
Class 33 – Episcias (grown for ornamental qualities)
Episcia ‘Silver Skies’ – Katherine Henwood
Section G – Lesser-known gesneriads
Class 35 – Any species, cultivar, or hybrid not previously seen in an AGS-SF show
Columnea ‘Delores Delago’ – Jon Dixon
Section G -- Lesser-known gesneriads
Class 36 – In flower
Anna molifolia – Jon Dixon
Section H – Collections of gesneriads
Class 37 – Plants of a single genus, either species, cultivars or hybrids
Petrocosmea collection – Katherine Henwood
Class 38 – Kinship group, with one or more parents
Columnea ‘Sundowner’ group – Jon Dixon
Section I – Gesneriads grown by a novice
Class 39 Any gesneriad in flower
Kohleria ‘Manchu’ – Gene Sussli