Robert, I too have witnessed the continual decline of various horticultural societies in my lifetime. As far as passing the torch to younger generations, ours is a hands-on past time that is merely augmented by the wonders of the digital age. What is missing is a living experience for young and old alike: seeing unusual flowers like *Phaedranassa* or * Geissorhiza* up close and personal. Groups like PBS raise awareness above the everyday experience of tulips and daffodils. These latter beauties are in the mix of course but in my experience it is a particular and unique flower that motivates a person to find greater depth in gardening or collecting plants. At some point the actions of teaching and learning must be able to pass on what I like to call "living knowledge". It is the direct exchange of energy between people, together with plants and knowledge, that keeps societies going, including society at large. I once brought some unusual plants to a 5th grade classroom and the kids were delighted and amazed, especially with plants that "protect themselves" with stinging hairs or spines. This made it clear to me that what plants "do", their natural history and relationships with man, are intrinsically bound together with horticultural appeal. Bringing this experience to the students-- comfortable on their own turf in the classroom-- I think was different from a field trip in important ways. Even modest numbers of growers sharing their botanical and horticultural passion with kids in this way would accomplish a lot over the years. But they need to witness what it is that gets us so motivated, whether tulip, oxalis or *Paramongaia*. An opportunity to plant seeds or bulbs and take them home could also inspire. Dylan I On 1 October 2012 12:21, Robert Pries <robertpries@embarqmail.com> wrote: > I agree with everyone. Tulips, daffodils, Iris, what does it matter? The > important point is to connect the young people with plants, animals, and > nature in general. > > But Children are a long term project. We need to be working on them, but > how do we get their parents involved? Or even those grandparents that seem > a necessary key to the puzzle. > > These are questions I agonize over daily since I work as PR person for the > American Iris Society. The stalwart venerable plant societies have > generally been in decline for about 20 years, some less than others. It > seems the older they are, the more they have declined. > > The internet has removed the need to join to discover sources, and learn > about cultivation. Is the plant society a vanishing species? > > I keep hoping that if we bring plant societies into the digital age they > will begin to prosper once again. I work as hard trying to make AIS and for > that matter all plant societies prosper as I would at a full time paid job, > maybe more so. But I hear many saying what’s the use, that the world is > changing away from gardening. Is this true? I have seen all sorts of data > that says gardening is the number one activity but the parameters often > seem skewed. It seems if you plant a petunia or mow the lawn you are > counted. > > Although I argue continually against this decline, I sometimes have > doubts. I am curious as to what this forum thinks about the prospects of > gardening for the future. It a rainy day and maybe i am just down. > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/