How many of us didn't feel uncomfortable and intimidated for a period of time after joining a society. I certainly agree that a fair number of prospective society members never attend that second meeting. I have had the privilege of establishing a "beginners group" in 3 different societies. They had their own meeting usually just before the regular meeting. They were fairly successful. The secret - us old, long time orchid growers were NOT welcome in their meetings! The "old growers" (nothing to do with age) were only allowed be invitation. This group picked their own topics and a single long time grower was then invited to the next meeting to talk about the subject that the beginners group had selected. This way, they did not feel so intimidated and, with the goal being presenting proper culture for various groups, a much higher %age of these beginners stayed active with the society. It really doesn't matter that the intimidation is just "perceived" by the beginner; it's real enough for them (or at least it was to me)!
Ross, I do believe you have the key. It most likely was NOT the fact that you had a deep interest in orchids as it was showing your son and grandson that you were also interested in THEM being interested. I think you are to be commended for that!

A Big Reply
 

Wow, folks! I've been MIA for a while and look at this thread go!!!! Whoo hoo for orchid lovers!

I thought I'd drop in to say that I got a response on my blog from Greg Allikas--Chair, AOS Publications Committee. It's a hefty reply full of information and thoughts. I'm extremely grateful that he took the time to address my letter and talk to us. You can visit it here:

Open Letter Reply

Hi Blondie :waving

Funny you should post today...just a few days ago I went into your blog to see if anything new was happening :)

I liked what Greg has to say and really appreciated his taking the time to respond...I especially liked his "go get a snack" comment :coverlaugh:

WOW!!! How did I miss this thread? Blondie, thank you for such a facinating read and the devotion to spread the word to the world. I learned a lot today. Orchids are a healthy hobby (well maybe not to your pocketbook ;) ) and I believe bring people together in cyberspace, societies, greenhouses and orchid shows. Many friendships on OB is proof of that. To include young people is just so right. :bowing

I have read the blog and have to agree. I have only been into orchids for a 3 or 4 years. My first orchid was when my wife and I were in Hawaii in 2006 and picked up a few. One was a vanda that hasn't bloomed yet and the other an unknown catt that did bloom and lasted for a month or 2. That got me wishing I had more I had other plants at the time mostly plumerias that I got hooked on when I was actived in 2001 with the air force and ended up in Hawaii for 4 months but after seeing how long orchids blooms last I have almost given up on plumerias and switched to orchids. I am 50 now and when I was growing up orchids were a rich mans flower and I didn't know much about them Well I still don't know much about them but I am learning. I have given my 23 year old daughter in law 2 orchids and hope she can get them to bloom. My hope is that she will have blooms and others will see them. It is a shame to have to learn about orchids in such a late age but maybe I can get her into them and she will enjoy them for a alot longer then I will. Sorry this is so long. The mysteries of orchids are way too many hopefully the internet can bring out the mysteries and maybe younger people will enjoy them.

OK. I gotta ask "The Question":

At What age does one stop being "young"?:biggrin:
Is it under 30?? :hmm
Is it under 40? :scratchhead:
Is it under 50??? :_(

Sorry, had to ask. I would assume that those under 30 are the audience that you are referring to. Excellent post. If we as an group don't continue to grow by adding younger people interested in orchids, we will eventually perish. (Just ask the Shakers. Oh, sorry, there ARE none alive to ask.......)

I am 26 and started growing plants when i was 13 but had an interest at a much younger age. My entire family does LOTS of gardening and growing, my brother grows hydroponic peppers... green thumbs run in the family. I got my 1st chid when i was a teen and was instantly addicted, i started reading my moms gardening books as bathroom reading and quickly became the ER doc for all plants in my family. I have only killed 1 chid (cause i dropped her down the stairs :( ) and my hobby is part of who i am. My bf has accepted that :) . I am going to be attending my 1st horticultural society meeting in a couple weeks. I get funny looks when people ask me what site I'm one and I tell them it's an orchid forum but I dont care. People are often shocked that i could grow a spider plant let alone an orchid... I dont look the type i suppose. The ONLY thing that has held me back from owning every chid that exists is money... money to buy them, money to give them the conditions they require (lights, space, pots, medium, fertilizer etc). The time i spend tending to them, watering them, adjusting them and just spending time in that room is time that i greatly enjoy... its my happy place :) I would definitely say that money is what stops most young people and the second thing would be lack of exposure. Thats my :twocents:

I am 66 and just got back into orchids after four years with out them a friend had kept 35 of my favorites, I now have a green house and 77 plants, I belong to a local society, the oldest person is 82 and the youngest is early 20s, We have a regular meeting that meets at 7:00 pm and a greengrowers meeting that meets at night also, we also have a seniors club that meets in the day time. So we pretty much have some thing for all ages and knowledges. And reguardless of ages we all have something in common we love our Orchids.

Well, young is relative. I'm 31, but I was referring to teens and 20s folks. In the original letter from the editor that I read in Orchids magazine (not sure which edition it was now, but that is where I read it), they mentioned "young people." That is how the ball got rolling. Some days I consider myself old, and some days I consider myself young. I suppose that's how we all are though, eh?

I'm glad you all love orchids so much. You inspire me to grow more and read more and soak up all of this orchid yumminess. If any of you are readers, I just popped up a new review of Vanilla: In Search of the Ice Cream Orchid. I really liked it, so check it out. :)

I'm 23. New to Orchids but admired my them from a young age. My grandfather had 6 or 7. I inherited 4 of them in August so I need to learn quickly! Esp as one is a Vanda!