I, like you and the rest of the chrysanthemum fraternity, are very concerned about the lack of new and young growers coming the into growing chrysanthemums,? Well bright spark me ....(not)....have come up with an idea...and it will not take much to put in to action...all it will take is may be 1 hour a week from one or two growers from any society in their given area, spare plants.. as we all know, we as growers always do to many and instead of throwing them away try to get their local school to grow them ? and that's were the hour a week comes in, just go along and give them a little bit of your time and knowledge... my local high school is interested.... so a school near any other society could be too. then add a class next year called the schools class.... may be consisting of two three's .... and two fives.... winners collect a certificate of merit and a small piece of Crystal.... ? For not a lot of input there could be great rewards for the chrysanthemum and the NCS. Please help me to help you and the furtherance the chrysanthemum. With best regards Julie Ashley

Comments on New Growers

Thank you for your e-mail and well done with your website - it looks as if Stoke have a very good show.  We are in the same position with regard to younger growers - that is those under the age of 60!!  However, we keep trying and whilst we do get new members every year it can very often be the retired ones looking for something to occupy their time.   Best wishes,Geoff

Dear Geoff.                              

  I don't know if you realise what you've said ?  your brill..... you've given us a solution to a lot of our problems..... you say the biggest part of new members are over 60 ? people with time on their hands ? possibly retired..... possibly lost life partners..... looking for meaning and value back in their lives? Who better to help youngsters to learn how to grow chrysanthemums ? and the added bonus is that most over 60,s are well respected members of their community's ? with the very best of regards Julie.

Reclassification of certain cultivars

As I’m busy most of the year, I have only just got round to reading last years 2008 year book, late I know. I was slightly concerned to read that the likes of egrets x4, oyster, matlock, Wembley, tracy waller + sports of this cultivar + others so there is at least 10 varieties that will be lost to most growers, unless there is a plan in place to open a new section to accommodate C cultivars, ie 9, 6 and a 3 championship classes ? Being as these classes are in place for the remaining cultivars ie A and B.
While the older cultivars seem to be the ones that are being targeted there as been no mention of the likes of chempak or the wingfield families being reclassified as large ? Or the courtier, pearl celebration families being reclassified to the medium family ? Or is this just a simple problem of some people not using the intelligence they obviously have, to be in the position the hold ? Or is it that ALL Chrysanthemums need to be reclassified to make sure they are in the right category ?.
I know I am relatively new to growing, but I do trust to the judges knowing which and what varieties they are judging, and I would imagine they enjoy the variation in the blooms they are judging ?.
Regards Julie Ashley
Comments on this letter most welcome                        14/8/09