Oak Hill--Another one bites the dust?

[Leafmite]

Oak Hill Gardens does a great job as an orchid vendor and orchids are in the Acker Family. I would hate for them to quit selling orchids.
Yet, I understand a decision not to sell orchids. With bedding plants, you start them in March and that is when you begin heating the greenhouse. With orchids, you have to heat the greenhouse five extra months and through the coldest weather. People tend not to be as picky about bedding plants, either, as they are gardeners and have seen quite a few plants in their lifetime. With bedding plants, your main selling season is over by mid-June/early July and then you just have basket arrangements, replacement plants, and gardening paraphernalia to sell. Orchids are an all-year-round deal and then you have the shows. If a bedding plant dies, it is usually pretty obvious why (not enough water, late frost, too much water, etc) where, with orchids, people tend to blame the vendor. A greenhouse that sells annuals and perennials for the garden is a much simpler prospect than one that sells orchids. Someday, all of our orchids will either be mass-produced or come from Asia and many of the not so common species will disappear forever from US markets.

[smweaver]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Someday, all of our orchids will either be mass-produced or come from Asia and many of the not so common species will disappear forever from US markets.

I think that's why it's extremely important that there are many hobbyists that maintain diverse collections of other than the "Lowe's orchids" (hybrid phalaenopsis, dendrobiums, etc.). If all of the specialist nurseries disappear, maybe we'll still have each other to trade plants and keep the more uncommon orchids in cultivation (just my opinion).

[Leafmite]

That is true...as long as the older collections are preserved and passed on to younger people who have a passion for them instead of being neglected or tossed.
I am glad I bought from Oak Hill Gardens when I could. I just looked at their website and I think you are right, that they are finished. How sad. I have a few from the old Oak Hill and quite a few from the new.

[smweaver]

I too have some of their plants, so at least I'm glad for that.

You bring up another critical point: how do we get the younger generations interested in the hobby? I periodically go to a local meeting and it's like walking into an interactive museum exhibit. I'm frequently one of the youngest attendees, and I'm in my late forties.

[AnonYMouse]

Originally Posted by smweaver

You bring up another critical point: how do we get the younger generations interested in the hobby? I periodically go to a local meeting and it's like walking into an interactive museum exhibit. I'm frequently one of the youngest attendees, and I'm in my late forties.

I'm over 50 and I do not attend meetings nor belong to any OS. Just not my cup of tea, and increasingly not something younger people do. They congregate, just not at meetings listening to speakers or browsing displays.

A good educator can get people interested and maintain a higher level of interest. You're not going to get everyone but you can cultivate the ones who shows some enthusiasm.

[orchidsarefun]

if you look at it from the point of view that 50 is the new 25, then there is no problem at all
Every Orchid Society has this problem. I think its due to the fact that nothing much happens with orchids and the younger generations are more geared to being constantly 'stimulated'. I remember my folks telling me that they could entertain themselves with a rope and a stick. That sure has changed..
If I have told my son to get off the XBox/Computer/Smartphone a million times its not enough.
However, I am an old fart, so whaddya I know....

[Paul]

Originally Posted by smweaver

You bring up another critical point: how do we get the younger generations interested in the hobby? I periodically go to a local meeting and it's like walking into an interactive museum exhibit. I'm frequently one of the youngest attendees, and I'm in my late forties.

This topic has come up before. Do a forum search and you may be able to locate the discussion(s). Can't remember offhand what search terms would best be used.

In any event, much may come down to your society's attitude as well as how progressive they are contact-wise.

These days, folks like me who do not Facebook are quite a rarity. Thus it may well behoove an os to have a
regularly updated Facebook page. The page should have clearly indicated meeting times & location with information as to what will be the topic of discussion at that meeting and who the speaker (if any) will be. Upcoming events such as shows or outings should also be presented in an easily noticeable fashion. (Addresses and directions to the meeting hall, or event are a must.) Don't forget to supply some sort of contact information. A few up-to-date photos from past meetings or events should be posted regularly (not only of the plants but the people involved as well).

Attitude is a huge issue. For example, I have not been to an os meeting in years. The two os's within driving distance to me I found to be very cold/cliquish. As such I have no desire to bother with them. My first os, in sharp contrast, was extremely welcoming to any newcomers and seemed to lack any real cliques. Another possible attitude issue to watch out for is how any youngsters are treated by the "old guard." I recall a young'un I know from another forum relating an irksome issue he experienced when he first started attending an os in his region. At that time he was a teenager and was by far the youngest person there. Despite his youth, he had been growing several orchids and some other plants for a number of years. Because of his age, most of the elder members seemed to have had the notion that he couldn't possibly know much of anything about growing orchids or have much to contribute to discussions. While he had joined the society knowing there was undoubtedly a great deal to learn -- especially regarded plants he had yet to try -- he found it very off-putting to have his thoughts/opinions so quickly dismissed out of hand. If he hadn't been so strongly enamored with orchids he likely would not have bothered returning to that os. As it was, he said it still took months before anyone took him seriously and quit treating him like a complete child.

[MCSchrum]

I was very bummed to hear about this. I put in my first and only order to Oak Hill this spring. I was very satisfied with my order. I got the seedling economy special, 10 seedling orchids for $44 shipped, hard to beat. There were quite a few surprises in that order, none of them a disappointment. I ended up with a blooming size Dendrobium cucumerinum, a very cool orchid!