Letter to AOS
 

Hello, folks! I am curious. How many "young people" do you know in orchiding? Are we all young here? I know a lot of people don't like to disclose their ages, but I'll go ahead and tell you I'm 30. I was reading the last issue of Orchids, and I saw the article about attracting young people to the orchid hobby. I decided to write an open letter to AOS on my blog. I'd like to know what you think about attracting younger folks to the hobby. I spelled out some ideas in my letter. If you care the join that particular conversation, see here:

Tales From Clark Street: An Open Letter to the American Orchid Society

But otherwise, we can just talk about it right here on my favorite orchid board. What kind of outreach is in your local areas for young orchid lovers? Cause there's not much around here. Even when I was living in Chicago, I found it difficult to find groups that met in person.

:bowing :bowing :bowing

I posted my comment! :banana:

Great letter, wonderful ideas...and a few plugs for Orchidboard!

:dance13:

I'm 30. I love gardening too. I think it may have a lot to do with patience. Were you patient enough to wait a year or more for a bloom when you were in high school or college. I wasn't. I agree with your sentiment, but it may be up to us, as younger orchidophiles, to spread the joy of this rewarding hobby.

Have you thought about creating your own affiliated society? How about a committee within an existing society? Lowe's bums me out too.

I'm 26, but I've been growing orchids since age 23. :) I also like other hobbies such as cross stitching and scrapbooking. I tend to get a lot of flak and negative comments (ie, "that's for old people!") for cross stitching.

My hobbies are all about the "journey" and patience. Quite different from my friends who want things "right away." Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Great job!
 

You are right, there is a lack of young people mainly because it is somewhat embarrassing to a young person. I started gardening in junior high but was afraid to tell anybody because of what they might think of me especially being a guy that plays around with flowers. Throughout high school I found only one person who was interested in orchids.

I have thought about trying to start a new society closer to where I live, but I currently live in a Very Small Iowa Town. Hee hee. But perhaps I will look into it as I'm now getting more involved.

I agree that patience is key. Which is why starting with something that blooms often, like phals or something, might help attract younger people. I felt really sad when I read the article about many of the orchid greats aging and not knowing how to connect to younger people. No, you are correct, I probably wouldn't have been too patient as a younger person, but the 30s-40s need to get more involved, too. We have the patience, and the cash (well, my friends do :blushing: ) to take it to the next level and create events and information opportunities.

This board rocks my world. And it's so easy and accessible. I think AOS can get there too. It just takes a little innovation.

We have a few very young and very knowledgeable folks among our friends here at Orchidboard.

The key is to get more of them involved in the hands-on activities of local clubs and such.

Now...how do we do that? We ask the AOS for their assistance ;) I'm looking forward to seeing what the outcome of the letter to them is going to be. Wouldn't it be great to see Blondie's letter published in the mag? :nod:

Hahahaha. Well, I did copy the link and send it in an email to a couple of the people who work there, so I am interested to see how they respond.

But we shouldn't focus too much on the teens. That might be pushing it. I still consider myself YOUNG (coughs) at 30 and my best friends are women in their early 40s who are always looking for something new to entertain them. They are totally surprised when I tell them they don't have to spend $90 at the flower shop for an orchid. I've gotten coworkers and friends involved just by writing on my blog about my babies. There just need to be more prominent faces that aren't in their 70s to pull some new groups in. Then the people in their 70s can share all of that fantastic life-long information with us and we can regenerate. Like little kikis hanging onto the wise ones.

Exactly. Exposure. Like I once wrote a post on my blog that made a bunch of my friends go buy orchids. Let's see if I can find it...

Here it is: Easy, fun, simple exposure:

Tales From Clark Street: Making Yourself Happy: A How To

I would like to join the AOS, but to be honest, rather spend my money on another plant. I think part of the problem is everything costs so much, that many younger people don't have the economic means to get into a hobby. I have no friends that grow orchids, young or old. I'm interested in local groups, but with my school and work right now, I have limited free time. But, I LOVE telling people about how wonderful orchids are. I have one friend right now that has killed two phals, and I'm trying to get her to come with me to the store, so I can help her pick a (new) healthy plant. If I sense someone slightly interested, I try to help kindle the interest, because I love my plants and want others to share in the joy. I just started growing about 4 years ago, so I wasn't too young when I began myself.

By the way, forget to mention that I loved your letter and felt it was right on point. Great suggestions, there!

Thanks!!

I know a lot of people on here do spend a lot of money on the hobby, but I barely spend anything. My AOS membership is the MOST expensive orchid "thing" I have. I grow with window light and water. And they LIVE. Well, some do. :biggrin: I think we need to change the reputation of orchids from being expensive to what it really can be--$15 here or there for a great orchid!

i'm still 20, at least until August hits. and i agree, there aint many exposure to the orchid world out there unless you work hard to go and try and find some info on them. not to mention i think the stigma that orchids are hard to grow is still out there. i never new orchids can be quite easy until i actually went out to walmart to get myself one and try for 15 bucks!

High school biology classes teaching evolution could have u guys come in for a day and just do a show and tell and a evolution history all together--maybe even bring some plants!!

not to mention in university... now the possibilities are endless!!! intro to plants, botany, plant physiology, etc.

I'm 23, but got my first orchid when I was 19. My friends thought I was bit of a freak. Then I made new friends in college (studying plant sciences) and they all have various plant collections.Several are really into native european orchids. Money is a problem as a student, so I'm always on the look out for good orchid deals. The rare times where I do splurge on more expensive stuff (ie, OB projects and TCs, Neo project....) it makes it all the more special. I also ask for orchid money for b-days and x-mas:coverlaugh:!
Unfortunalty orchid societies are not very developed in my region. There is only one, but not that great for the price of the membership!

My son started growing orchids when he was 15. I'm not sure what prompted the interest. We totally supported the hobby. One year for his birthday we took him to an orchid greenhouse and let him go wild. Now he's 21. He had a brief hiatus from the hobby when all his plants died in a too cool greenhouse one winter. We were only able to salvage 2 of the original 20. He's slowly been rebuilding the collection, and has discovered (with some prodding from me) that if his culture is consistantly good vs hit and miss that his plants do much better. In fact a C. Peckhavenisis he has had since he was 16 (a survivor of the great greenhouse massacre) had recently sent out a new growth with a sheath. Unfortunately when we were repotting a couple of weeks ago he accidentally broke the new growth off. I was heartbroken for him. Anyway, long story short, he didn't know anyone who grew orchids when he first started. He didn't like telling people either because he would get teased. I took him to our local orchid society and that was total bust. They are a little :angry:. Nobody would even talk to him. I went back a few months ago and got pretty much the same response. Very unfriendly group......and they wonder why they have trouble recruiting and retaining people. :scratchhead: I think had the local society been a bit more welcoming he might have joined.

I guess I'm considered "old" since I'm in my 50's :biggrin: . I didn't start this hobby until my son moved out a few years ago and I realized I'd have to learn to take care of my orchids myself! :shock:

Good article Blondie. I hope it yields some results. :goodluck:

NO! 50s is not old. My mother is 63 and I don't even think she's old. Seriously.

So I'm 64, is that old! :rofl: Where's the line? :scratchhead: :biggrin:

I'd say 90. 90 is getting up there. :biggrin:

Blondie,
I thought your letter was AWESOME!!:bowing Im 28 now and Ive been growing orchids since I was in middle school in Canada (14ish) and I never told my friends about my "secret hobby" back then. If I had to skip basketball practice for a meeting at the local orchid society (I was the youngest member at the Okanagan Orchid Society) I would make up some lame excuse to go. Even now, at 28, living in Hawaii, people my age are astonished that I grow orchids:scratchhead: . Ive now been a member of 2 orchid clubs here on Oahu and Im still the youngest member by decades. I certainly dont mind being the youngest, as there are many years of knowledge to draw from when speaking with the older members, but it would be nice to meet some people my age who are as orchid obsessed as me. I think the main problem with young people is two fold: 1- As mentioned previously, when you are younger, most people dont have the patience to grow such demanding and often expensive critters. 2- There is a stigma attached (especially to young guys) that growing orchids is kinda.....well.... for a lack of a better term....gay (not that there's anything wrong with being gay, but its an unattractive label for young, heterosexual guys). Its for this second reason that guys like myself did not start telling people about their growing habits until much later in life!!
I would love to see the AOS leadership take an interest in recruiting younger people and you letter is great first step. For some reason, however, with the snootyness of the AOS (my perception), I wonder if your much deserved letter will fall on deaf ears. I hope not and if you need any support, let me know!! I would love to do what I can to rally the troops!! :goodluck:

I personally think it starts at home. If we can get our own children (and grandchildren) interested, then that's a great start. Sure there may be a financial issue at the beginning, but maybe a plant or two might be a start? We all know one plant leads to another!

and another, and another...

I have a friend that is 90 , she is not old ! .. Just where is the line ? what about older people that need a hobby also disabled , Senior centers ? by the way I am not a member of one . Gin

Old and young alike--we can ALL love the orchids. But the AOS article says the young people are nowhere to be found. See here:

AOS | Communications; The Changing Orchid World

I decided to go ahead and email the post to the President of AOS. No one else from there has responded yet. I told them to come to this board to see the discussion. :biggrin:

So maybe young people nowadays are attracted to flashy things like video games? I would say, if AOS wants to attract younger people, they need to do something to attract the younger people. Right now, they don't even attract me. :evil: There might be 1 in a thousand young people interested in the type of articles in the magazine. And that's being generous. I think there needs to be some other mistique besides scientific journal stuff presented. I started my son and grandson by getting them involved (at different levels). My son waters and cares for the 'chids whenever I can't. My grandson checks them over for signs of changes whenever he's over. And I take the liberty of getting them involved by discussing changes and other issues with them. A magazine won't cut it nowadays, I'm afraid. Not with young folk. Direct interaction might. School programs might. TV shows might. Young people today seem to suck up knowledge faster than ever. Faster than I did when I was in high school (and I was an honor roll student). They seem like giant sponges that need to be fed pretty fast. This probably applies to a lot of you reading this post. I admire the ability to absorb knowledge that you exhibit. AOS hasn't done one thing to take advantage of this (in my mind). I'm not surprized that the biggest percent of AOS members are "older". Wake up AOS. Move into the schools. Move into the dorms. Move into the game rooms. Do what you must to attract the younger ones who just might be waiting for such a challenge.

Sorry for the soapbox, folks. But this hit a hot bot for me. :biggrin: :blushing:

Ross,
Well said!!

From now on, If I disagree with Ross, don't listen to me. Listen to him. :bowing I was not even close to being on the honor roll! :(

I have been following the discussion and find it interesting, especially since the thread was begun and for the most part extended by younger people. A proactive method such as writing the AOS President directly is to be commended, and I would be disappointed if you didn't get a response.

The AOS is a reflection of it's members and only determination to bring in new, vital blood will keep the organization evolving. In contradiction to some opinions, I think the magazine, Orchids, is a valuable resource to the orchid world. The quality has improved vastly over the last few years and there is usually something for everyone from beginners to experts. The present issue has a great article on Cattleya guttata and has photos of around 30 different color varities of this rarely grown species.

As an AOS Judge, I am well aware of the disconnect that appears between the AOS, Societies, Judges, and unattached orchidists. To just say someone is elitist or uninterested or doesn't want to be involved is dodging the issue. Many have been guilty of all of this; the AOS, local Societies and commercial Orchid companies all are struggling these days.

Is this a lack of interest in orchids? A lack of interest in social settings to learn about orchids? or perhaps a lack of understanding and an inability to venture outside the box?

Most hobby groups including garden groups have diminishing memberships even in the face of larger population growth. Perhaps it is a breakdown of society itself, community, neighborhoods and personal relationships.

Wow! Look at us go! And a real AOS judge came to join in. WHOO HOO! :cheer:

We can actually thank the pres himself for getting this conversation started by writing his article. I had quite the response to it, as you can see.

Personally, I'm not a video gamer or anything, but I do agree that we are sponges and are excited for new information. I also know for a fact that there are a LOT of cool organizations out there for young people in many cities that draw huge crowds. It's all about tapping into the market in the right way.

But seriously, if there was an orchid video game, I would totally play it! :evil:

What a terrific letter Blondie! I'm going to be 30 (yikes!) next month and I've been growing orchids since I'm been about 22. I've always been interested in gardening and houseplants but one day i walked into Home Depot and saw a beautiful white phal. I didn't purchase it that day but thought about nothing else for about a week. So of course I had to drive back over to Cadillac (a shout out to Ross! :biggrin: ) and get it along with a book and orchid media. Until I joined this board I had NO IDEA that orchids were this popular as I know not one person who has one. I was very naive! :blushing: I really don't know what other young people are interested in since I don't have any friends that live anywhere near me. (I work at a machine shop with all men and all my high school friends have moved away long ago) I would love to join a local orchid society but all the ones around here are too far away for me to be interested. Thats why i love this board so much! :)

I hope AOS sends you an e-mail back Blondie. This whole subject is really interesting! :goodluck:

Being a member of several different plant societies, I can vouch for what Phantasm says. Each society has struggled with membership numbers. Each society has very few younger members. One society has recognised that the way forward - and the best chance of increasing membership numbers - is to try to attract younger people. The internet is seen as the key way to do this at present. Only time will tell if this will prove successful. The problem is most certainly not with orchids only.

Organisations like the AOS are much more than just social gatherings - they have a responsibility to sponsor research as well as organising judging and awards to recognise superior plants that will further the genus. If these activities are not attractive to younger members and plant societies abandon them for more 'popular' activities - who will fill the gap?

Blondie, I think your letter is great - and your points are valid way beyond orchids and orchid societies.

I was just going to say my thing then let it lie, but I am sorry, there are a couple things here that reinforce what I think the problem is. Firstly, if the AOS truly wants new, younger blood, they have to culture it. My original point (I think) was that I plan to get my children (or grandchildren) involved their own way - not my way. Articles on the culture of some exotic orchid aren't going to interest very many main-stream children nowadays. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is. What will peak their interest, however, is how can they be involved? How can they care for or protect some orchid. Why should they?

What turned me away from AOS years ago (and still does today) is the elitist attitude that they know best. The articles are so super collegiate that even I don't get the point most of the time. Follow the threads of this board for a good cross section of world-wide orchid growers. What are the questions they ask? Which threads get the most responses? Which topics are discussed most often? Etc. I feel OrchidBoard represents the best cross-section of world-wide orchid interest. AOS might want to peruse this board for a while and learn something. A decent orchidphile magazine could be produced from articles on this board alone.

Phantasm has a great point. Our society as a whole is changing.

As a former teacher, I was astounded with the behavior of many of my students. I could go on, but this is a whole other bag of worms.

There are some nice discussions on myspace for younger orchid growers. But I think to reach out to even more "youth" the stigma of orchids being difficult needs to soften. Advertising wouldn't hurt either. :lol:

The younger generations want instant gratification (and are used to getting it). Orchids need to be presented in a way that appeals to this urge.

Great topic! Thanks Blondie! :nod:

:whew: Now I have to jump back in...

we're getting off track here. The AOS, if they are willing to extend themselves, can only do so much to get younger people involved...and by younger, I mean younger than the majority of folks seen at most orchid society meetings...not a specific age group.

We can't expect Orchids magazine to totally reinvent itself...there are articles that are important and interesting each month. If somebody can't find one thing in the entire magazine that sparks a tiny light of interest, then in my opinion, they are not allowing themselves to broaden their horizons.

I hope the letter to the AOS does spark some attention there...and hopefully, somebody there will come to Orchidboard to get some feedback...but if it's going to be a lynch-mob, we won't accomplish a blessed thing ;)

We, as orchid lovers, need to do whatever we can to get young minds interested, on a personal level. We can't just dump this whole thing in the laps of an organization and not take any personal responsibility. It must be an all-encompassing group effort. Take a child (of any age) to a big orchid show where they can see, touch, smell and listen...ask that child to bring a friend or two! While there, ask some questions...all the growers I have ever met are more than willing to enlighten you if you show them you're interested.

Ross, there are all types of ways for organisations to reach out to children. And the most successful ones I know about involve giving them responsibility and putting them on an equal footing - how many societies do this? In many cases people view young = inexperienced = not a lot to contribute. That turns kids off, heck, it turns me off!! The success of forums like this is that everyone contributes. Make societies like that, and I think you'll see loads of people reconsidering joining.

Here is a link to one very successful instance of kids getting involved at a school here in the UK:

Writhlington School - Business and Enterprise - More about the Orchids
Writhlington Orchid Project - Home

I think all of the opinions are fascinating. I do want to clarify that I don't think Orchid magazine should flush itself. On the contrary, it fills its particular niche quite well. I actually meant to suggest that AOS create a sister mag that is more casual. Like Cosmo vs. Cosmo Girl and Time vs. Time for Kids. Except I don't mean to market to kids/teens with a magazine. I am still looking at 30s-40s to pull MORE people in and then they can share the love, like Ross, with the little ones.

Yes, the key to any successful blossoming of an organization is attention, outreach, and marketing. As I become more involved with orchids, I become MORE concerned with preservation, etc. At first, I just wanted a pretty plant. It was a "gateway drug" that led to wanting to eat up all things orchids. Heck, so many beginners come on here and say, "I got one. I'm ADDICTED!!" Soon that addiction will turn to preservation, donations, research, etc. Who knows which one of us will become the next great orchid genius? (It won't be me.)

But yes, this board is such a fantastic cross-section of our little orchid world. And AOS can totally be a part of that--if we all help and give it a try. The question remains... do they want our help, and are they willing to compromise?

I agree about the magazine thing! I think a "sister magazine" geared towards the 30- 40's range would be ideal for people starting off, and could change the common perception of an "stereotypical orchid grower", and let others try orchids for themselves. When people get really involved in orchid growing, the 'regular' magizine would then cater to them as well.

Great thread by the way:)

I am almost 34 years old and have loved orchids since I saw one in a public greenhouse as a small child.

I think if AOS wants to reach out to younger people, they need to keep up with updating their website and making it easier to navigate. I had trouble signing in last time after they updated it. I spend a lot more time at orchidboard because there is always new information to read.

I think reaching out to college kids is a good idea. My college had a ton of clubs one could belong to. An orchid growing club would have been great. They could focus on encouraging orchid conservation in the wild, and on teaching people that some orchids are easy to grow.

I guess I don't go the the Cleveland Orchid Society meetings is I have absolutely no idea when and where they are. Also, I have a busy job and sometimes work weird hours. I think I would be more likely to go if I got email reminders to go to the meetings. Maybe some local orchid societies do this. When I belonged to the Sierra Club, they were always emailing me to tell me about local events.

Blondie, I read your letter and I agree. I hope AOS responds to you.

Thanks for all of the support. I wanted to throw in one last nugget before I let you all continue the conversation for a while:

As a new Iowan, I was happy to see Our Iowa Magazine at my aunt's house. It was brand new and cost $9.95 to subscribe, so I thought HECK why not? I enjoy the magazine and it's interesting. Not ALL of it appeals to me, but a lot of it does. They have sent out a total of like 4 magazines since launching and they have 30,000+ subscribers already. How are they doing this? By being super friendly, accessible, and printing articles by Iowans for Iowans. Simple, everyday folks. Experts and normal people combining together. Coming from Chicago, this was a great find.

Our Iowa Magazine

I also wanted to say that I like the net and all, but I also want things to read. Like newsletters. And magazines. Something for the bathtub or when I'm snuggled up in bed. And then I want to go to events and TALK and see people in real life. I think we all give the net a little too much power, but it's an excellent starting point. I too find the AOS web site hard to log into and navigate. That's why I wanted the magazine! :biggrin:

Well I'm 17 and have been growing orchids since I was 10. I think attracting younger people to orchids is a great thing to do because the sooner you start, the more fun you can have with it! I also don't think any hobby should be limited to a particular age group, or any group for that matter and the more diversity the orchid community has, the more interesting it is. In my experience younger growers are pretty rare but we are certainly welcomed in my society.

I have found that many people think younger people can't be good at this sort of thing and they often expect people like me to be ignorant. However, I have to say if you are a dedicated grower age is not a factor. I have read obssessively on this topic for years and I have had great success.