BAY NEWS

Newsletter of the San Francisco Gesneriad Society

Volume 30, No. 6, June 2008

 

 
Next Meeting: Sunday, June 15, 2008

Program: Achimenes Slide Show

 

 

 

June Program

by Terri Campbell

 

Our program for the June meeting will be the newly revised "Achimenes" slide show from The Gesneriad Society.  We will be the first chapter to view the new version!

 

I have also heard from Vivian Scheans, who manages the slide shows, that the Gesneriad Society would be interested in hearing about new topics for slide shows which would be of interest to the chapters.

 

 

Blake House Garden

by Terri Campbell

 

A hidden treasure can be found in Kensington.  The beautiful gardens of Blake House are open to the public without charge, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Blake Garden is closed on weekends and University holidays.  The 10.5 acre site is home to many rare plants, and features a spectacular view of the Bay.  The gardens are used as a teaching facility by the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at UC Berkeley.  Tours of the gardens are available to groups of ten or more if reservations have been made. Blake House has been the official residence of the President of the University of California for many years.

 

Contact information for Blake Garden:

(510) 524-2449 or twitchel@berkeley.edu

70 Rincon Road, Kensington, CA  94707

 

http://www-laep.ced.berkeley.edu/laep/blakegarden/index.html

 

 

 

Botanical Names

by Terri Campbell

 

In case anyone is interested in the subject of botanical names, these Web pages by Michael Charters may be of interest:

 

Regarding botanical names of California plants:

http://www.calflora.net/botanicalnames/index2.html

 

Suggestions on pronunciation of botanical names in general:

http://www.calflora.net/botanicalnames/pronunciation.html

 

 

 

Notes on the May Field Trip and Display and Sale

by David Waugh

 

In place of our May meeting we had a 'Field Trip' to the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park on Saturday, May 17.  The area around the Dahlia Garden was almost devoid of cars so those of us who drove had easy parking. Eleven of us met at the ticket kiosk and then proceeded on a self guided tour. At the entrance we all picked up a brochure telling us of the various areas of the Conservatory.   The last room we visited was populated with all sorts of butterflies, most interesting;   At this point we were escorted by member Clare Cangiolosi, a long time employee at the Conservatory, to the various other greenhouses, pump rooms etc, that the public does not see.  These greenhouses supply plants for the various exhibits at the Conservatory.  The pump rooms add fertilizer to the water used for the plants after the water is purified. Quite an operation. We then went to an area just east of the Dahlia Garden where there is a picnic table.   We then devoured our bag lunches and talked about the tour. A fine ending to a pleasant field trip.

 

On May 31 we had our one day Spring plant sale.  The setup Friday evening went very smoothly and we got all the tables covered and plants in place and priced before the Saturday 10am opening.   Although it appeared to be very slow after 1pm we ended up grossing a goodly amount of money before closing at 3:30.   The fact that The San Francisco African Violet Society had a sale next door may have aided our morning sales.  In addition to help placing plants and pricing them, Anna Chou and husband Bing provided all sorts of snacks in the kitchen for both our club and the African Violet club. We also gained a new member at the Saturday sale--Julie Kuiper. Welcome Julie!

 

 

 

 

2008 Officers

President:  Jon Dixon

Vice President:  Terri Lynn Campbell

Secretary:  David Waugh

Treasurer:  Gene Sussli

 

Newsletter Editor/Webmaster: Lorah Gross lorah@lorah.net

Brazilplants Support Club San Francisco contact: Terri Campbell

 

2008 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) 

 

January 20, February 17, March 16, April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19, November 16, December 21 Holiday Luncheon at Lakeside Cafe

 

2008 Shows and Sales:

One day plant sale May 31, Judged Show and Sale September 27, 28

 

Dues: $10 single, $11 family. Make checks payable to AGS SF, mail to Treasurer.

 

Website: http://www.sfgesneriads.org