Newsletter of the American Gesneriad Society of San Francisco
Program: 2004 Convention Slide Show
The Prez Sez...
by Katherine Henwood
For those of you who did not make it to the March meeting, you missed an excellent presentation of transplanting seedlings and a great Show & Tell. Show and Tell is always worth while. Well, you all know it has been too wet to do much outside, but my tulips (in pots) are making a brave show and the narcissus are getting ready to do so. In the greenhouse there are some young streps and an episcia in bloom. Some of the achimenes are poking their heads up so there may be hope after all!
We have a great slide show for the April meeting. We will be viewing the 2004 AGGS convention show! So I hope you will all turn out for this event.
April Program
by Terri Campbell
Our program for the April meeting is a slide presentation from The Gesneriad Society. The subject is the AGGS 2004 convention in Long Island, New York. Very few of our own chapter members were able to attend this convention. We hope to enjoy some outstanding photos of wonderful gesneriads. Those who were fortunate enough to see these plants in person would be welcome to share their memories.
AGGSF now SFGS
by David Waugh
As mentioned in the March newsletter the subject of changing the name of
our club at the March meeting was discussed. The by-laws (printed in your
Yearbook) state:
Article VIII Amendments
These by-laws may be amended at any meeting of the Society by two-thirds of those present provided notice of such action has been given in advance.
At our meeting on March 19th, twelve members were present. We discussed making a name change. All voted to change the name to San Francisco Gesneriad Society.
This new name brings us into conformity with many of the names of other chapters and affiliates of the Gesneriad Society, the new name of the former American Gloxinia and Gesneriad Society.
Please correct your 2006 Yearbook accordingly.
URL Name Change
by Lorah Gross
Since we are changing our club name, we should probably get a new URL (web address). We can keep the old one for a year or two and have it redirect people to the new address so that we don’t lose web traffic during the transition. Here are some of the available URLs:
sfgesneriads.org
sfgesneriadsociety.org
gsofsf.org
I realize that sfgs.org would be a logical choice but it has already been taken. If you have suggestions for other URLs, please let David Waugh know. He will be in contact with my husband Joe Gross who can look up URL availability and can purchase and set up the new web address for us.
Bargain Basement Greenhouses
by Terri Campbell
I gave a brief presentation at the last meeting on "bargain basement greenhouses." Many of these might also be described as cold frames. More and more types of inexpensive greenhouses are available now, and a greenhouse of some type is available for just about any gesneriad enthusiast's budget (would you believe $50 or less?) Of course, as our President pointed out, one can also spend almost any amount of money for a greenhouse.
My new pop-up greenhouse cost $150 delivered. Some dealers are selling exactly the same model for $300 plus shipping, so it pays to shop around. The manufacturer, FlowerHouses.com, has a variety of pop-up greenhouses in many sizes. Judging from the one I purchased, they are well manufactured, pre-assembled and good value for the money. I found some of the best variety and pricing at Target.com. However, I purchased the "BloomHouse" model from Comfort House. My greenhouse is 7'x7'x7', and resembles a large frosted tent. It has eight vents which can be opened, and a screened and covered door. A neighbor and I installed the pop-up greenhouse in my yard in a little over an hour. The greenhouse did not include a floor or benches. I have purchased and installed tarps as the floor, three shelving units, a table and chair, and a remote unit minimum-maximum thermometer. The plants are moving into the greenhouse gradually. I plan to have interior and exterior photos for the May newsletter. If anyone is interested, I can provide more information on greenhouses on the market and where to purchase them.
Member Sighting on TV
by David Waugh
On March 30, about 1:45PM I was watching the Weather Channel to see if they thought it was going to rain. They have gardening and home repair “shorts” between segments along with ads. P. Allen Smith came on with a garden short talking about passion flowers. And who do you think he interviewed? None other than Patrick Worley! Patrick proceeded to explain the various parts of the passion flower and how they had taken on religious significance. Mostly we saw Patrick’s hand, but at the end they showed an upper torso view. He looks just like he always has except his hair and beard were relatively short.
Starting Seeds and Transplanting Seedlings
by Alan LaVergne
I read with interest the February 2006 article on starting seeds. My method of starting seeds is different but also successful. Instead of mixing special portions of products to plant seeds in, brand name potting soil, Supersoil, is used. It is available locally at Orchard Supply stores. The soil is not sterilized before using it, and the seeds are sown in community trays, with sections divided by plant labels. One of the sections contains seeds of a vigorous grower such as penstemon to see if conditions are correct. The seeds of this plant always germinate unless something is terribly wrong. Watering is done with a full watering can that has a small long spout, and the water is lightly fertilized.
Gesneriad germination usually starts in about 14 days, but some types can take longer.
Transplants are made early out of the community tray, and there is no worry about "transplant shock". Plants seem to experience "transplant euphoria" instead. As others such as Dale Martens have also found, early transplants grow faster than those transplanted later or not at all. In addition to marking the variety of the seed on the tags in the community tray, a blank address label is placed on the bottom of each tray and marked to show what was sown where.
New seedlings are repotted by loosening the soil around it with a small stick or other tool. The seedling either pops out with the tool or a leaf of the seedling is gently tugged on to pull it out of the tray. The tool is then used to make a hole in the moistened soil of the new pot, and the new seedling is dropped into the hole, prodding the soil to enclose the roots. Anywhere from three to nine seedlings are put into the new pot, depending on its size and the number of seedlings. When they grow a bit they will be transplanted again. Also, the seedlings left behind in the community tray are moved to space them out more evenly. This will encourage them to grow faster too.
Update on the San Mateo County Fair
by Gene Sussli
Hello fellow club members. This is a quick update in regards to our participation at the upcoming San Mateo County Fair. The dates of the Fair are from August 11-20, 2006. The Fair theme is "Come Celebrate" in honor of 150th anniversary of the founding of San Mateo County in 1856. That really leaves it wide open and any good display of flowers would satisfy that theme. I hope you are grooming some plants in your collection for an entry in August.
The San Francisco Gesneriad Society at the last club meeting voted to participate with a club entry for an educational display at the Fair. Basically we are given a 4' x 8' table, either freestanding or up against a wall which we can also use (our choice) and our job is to best illustrate to the public the wide variety of plants found in the gesneriad family. Keep in mind there is prize money in it for the club in the amount of $100 - $200 and we can advertise for the club and distribute any flyers about gesneriads and our club in particular.
I'm sure we are going to compete against an entry of the African Violet Society. But if the past is a guide, I'd say there we are going to see a display on how to propagate AV's complete with some sample pots of full of peatmoss, sand, vermiculite and perlite. I think we can do better.
So, put on your thinking caps and bring your ideas to the next club meeting on what we can do. We'll probably have a short planning and strategy discussion then. See you next Sunday.
Show and Tell and Raffle Table
by Lorah Gross
Alan LaVergne brought seedling trays for show and tell and donated Trichantha dodsonii to the raffle table. Gene Sussli brought the following streps for show and tell: Heidi, an unknown, and seedlings for transplanting. He donated a plastic propagation box and Strep. ‘Heidi’ to the raffle table. Terri Campbell brought the following non-gesneriads growing in an egg terrarium under lights for show and tell: Nepenthes furca, Rex begonia ‘Smidgeon’, and Drosera Alicia. She donated mixed droseras in a pot (sundews), two egg terrariums, and wooden plant stakes to the raffle table. Celine Chase was not at the meeting but had Alan LaVergen donate the following plants for her: chiritas, petrocosmea nervosa, and Episcia fimbriata ‘Blue Heaven.’ Katherine Henwood brought a Chirita hybrid and ‘Atsuko’ for show and tell. She donated Chirita ‘Atsuko’, Kohleria ‘Empress’, and Strep. Cyanandrus to the raffle table. Ken and Vera Parker brought a package of leaves of Saint Paulia Half Moon by Gary Beck (Vintage hybrid). They also brought Nem. Bambino cutting and four packages of assorted cuttings of basket plants.
Jon Dixon brought the following plants for show and tell: Nem ‘Kapo’, ‘Grape Fizz (Dixon)’, ‘Jester’, ‘Lucky Lucifer’, ‘Rongo’, ‘Cimmaron’, amabilis v. amabilis (pink form) (mislabeled as ‘Tane’), Saintpaulia Telutina ‘Lite’, Tundra trumpets, confusa ‘E-Large’, ‘Araphoe’, and Strep. Tradiculatus. He donated the following plants to the raffle table: Episcia ‘choc. Cream’, ‘Ronny’, ‘Emerald Green’, ‘Treva’, ‘Pink Aacajou’, ‘Country Classic’, Chirita ‘Dream Time’, Kohleria ‘Lucky Lucifer’, ‘Flash Dance’, sp. ‘trinidad’, Nautilocalyx sp. ‘Goteburg’, Petrocosmea sp. 625kcoo’, sedum palmer (cuttings).
Minutes of The American Gesneriad Society of San Francisco
March 19, 2006 Meeting
by David Waugh, Secretary
Some of us arrived at the County Fair Building and found the gate to the Garden Club room locked. After looking for the custodian and not finding him we called the park police. They came and unlocked the gate about 12:30pm and we found the Garden Club room unlocked and the lights on. The custodian later confirmed he had left the gate unlocked. We can only assume someone locked the gate after he went to lunch.
The meeting was called to order at 1:19pm by President Katherine Henwood. The following were also present: David Waugh, Alan LaVergne, Gene Sussli, Larry Williams, Terri Lynn Campbell, Jon Dixon, Irene and David Fey, Ken and Vera Parker.
Minutes: There were no amendments to the minutes of the February meeting printed in the March Newsletter.
Treasurers Report: The Treasurer passed around copies of a report of our income and disbursements for the month of February 2006. If you missed the meeting and want a copy contact the Treasurer. We have no outstanding debts, a comfortable balance in the bank, and a cushion reserve in a Certificate of Deposit.
Continuing Business: Club name change. We discussed how we might properly vote to change the club name (put in newsletter, by coupon from the newsletter, email) because the members present did not represent a quorum of our membership. It was then pointed out that the Article VIII of the by-laws state that the by-laws may be amended by two-thirds of those present at a meeting provided prior notice is given.
It was then moved, seconded and voted unanimously that we change the name of our club to: San Francisco Gesneriad Society or abbreviated: SFGS
It was suggested we remind members in the April newsletter to change their 2006 Yearbook.
Because we have to pay for our checks and we have a good number of them on hand, it was suggested we not order new checks to reflect the name change at this time.
New Business: Should we do an educational display for the 2006 San Mateo County Fair? The incentive to do such a display is the prize. First prize is $200 with a maximum of 7 prizes and the last prize is $100. A 4 x 8 table is the working space which can be positioned to walk around or against a wall. Alternately the display can be in a 4 x 8 area on the floor. Gene Sussli described the first prize in 2005 won by Cactus and Succulent Society. It followed the 2005 theme of the fair.
A motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved that the club participate in an educational display at the 2006 San Mateo County Fair. Gene Sussli and Alan LaVergne will coordinate the display. David Waugh will bring the educational display (stored in his basement), prepared by Harriette Poss for our 2005 Show and Sale, for possible use in this upcoming display.
The main program was given by Alan LaVergne: Transplanting gesneriad seedlings. See the newsletter for more details.
In addition Terri Campbell described and passed out literature on really inexpensive greenhouses. She had just purchased one.
We then did Show and Tell and the Raffle.
The meeting adjourned before 4pm
2006 Officers
President: Katherine Henwood
Vice President: Terri Lynn Campbell
Secretary: David Waugh
Treasurer: Ken Parker
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)
2006 meetings: January 15, February 19, March 19, April 23, May 21, July 16, August 20, September 17, November 19, December 17 Holiday Luncheon at Lakeside Café.
Shows, Sales, and Field Trips:
June 3 Display and Sale, June 18 Field Trip to Annie’s Annuals, July 4-8 Convention in Rochester NY, August 11-20 San Mateo County Fair, September 23-24 Show and Sale, October 22 Field Trip to Delta Show.
Dues: $10 single, $11 family. Make checks payable to AGS SF, mail to Treasurer.
Website: http://www.agssf.org