Daffnet,
I read more and more of the advance articles on daffnet and in the ADS journal, and even the RHS journals. In the most recent Sept 2013 ADS journal there was a reference to Peggy Macneale by her daughter Margaret. Many years ago I met Peggy and was deeply impressed by her and saddened when I heard that she had passed.
However, Peggy constantly fed the ADS journal with articles for the beginners and new growers and showers of daffodils. I can say that I learned from her. However, what I’m trying to say, there seems to be a lot of articles for the advanced and the hybridizers (please don’t stop that as that is where I am now), but not for the new and the beginners. I have a membership of new, hobbyist, small growers, social daffodil club members and they just eat up all the basic daffodil material I can give them. I’m always being asked for basic horticulture of daffodils by our members, and I keep trying to provide that one-on-one from the collection of daffodil books and data that I have. I sometime fell that I run a “lending Library” of daffodil material. Is there a possibility that we can get someone to write articles of interest to new, and beginning daffodil enthusiast’s? For instance Nancy Fuchs wrote a short article with recommendations and pictures of simple basic daffodils for the beginner that I put in my fall newsletter. It was a big hit for our members.
BTW: I found an old letter from Laverne Brusven from the year 2000 from the New Hybridizer’s Round Robin. (How much I miss that!) It was surprising that a letter from me to Laverne discussed my showing and how I complained as a relative new shower (5 years) that I had lost 5 Quinn Collections that year at local shows, however I won the Gold Quinn that same year at the ADS National in Pittsburgh, and a “lot more” big “wins” and I was still whining about it. I look back now and I wonder, just how much we grow when we gain experience. That experience is the real teacher and I think we need to help the new and beginner daffodil growers get that experience and for them to have fun.
Clay
Clay,
While I am not far enough advanced to get into all sorts of complicated botany terms and talk genetics the way Theo Sanders or Harold Koopowitz might, I suppose I tend to discuss hybridizing on Daffnet more than anything. You raise a legitimate concern.
As incoming editor of The Daffodil Journal, I aim to continue the long-held tradition of publishing a cross section of material of interest to a wide variety of daffodil enthusiasts, but I suppose that many contributing writers tend to specialize in areas (e.g. hybridizing, historics) of interest to the more advanced. That said, I think the daffodil world is now in a greater position to assist newcomers and novices more than ever with the ADS’s ground-breaking DaffSeek, DaffLibrary, DaffTube and, of course, our beloved DaffNet. I have taken note of other great resources offered by daffodil societies throughout the world as well. We already have much information to offer. Folks just need to be reminded of its availability. I would also encourage beginners who feel intimidated by the more complex discussions on Daffnet to engage Daffodilia anyway. Overall, we’re a friendly bunch, always welcoming an opportunity to lend an ear and field questions.
Clay, I am unsure of your interest in writing, but feel free to contact me (I think you have my personal e-mail address…Or at least I have yours!) with any article proposals, if you wish to contribute an occasional piece offering information or anecdotes to beginners and non-show/hybridizing enthusiasts. We can make sure, one way or the other, that folks have access to helpful information so that we might engage newcomers and long-time enthusiasts alike.
Greg Freeman
Greg,
Thanks for your comments and congratulations on becoming the editor for the ADS The Daffodil Journal. You will be my fourth editor.
I’ve done a lot of writing in my time and am a published author. I’ve also written as a garden writer for suite101.com. However, my creative juices have tailed off to hybridizing and showing (digging and replanting). I’m afraid my imagination and creative ability shrunk with my age. I still write spontaneously and free flowing, but nothing planned. I’m afraid that I will not be sending in a proposal for an article(s). I was hoping someone else would take up the baton. It is needed.
Clay
Clay, have you looked at the content in dafflibrary.org? Frances Armstrong also wrote a column for beginners, called “Beginner’s Corner”. You can search for them on the dafflibrary home page. You can also search for Peggy’s articles, “Notes for the Newcomer,” in case you’re missing some back issues. There are other publications in dafflibrary that would be of interest to beginners. Click on “ADS pubs” to see what else is there. Some Regional newsletters are posted, and they sometimes give advice. And there are other publications that might be of interest. Click on “and More” and scroll down to “Daffodils in Eastern North Carolina.” Do a search on “Carolina” and you might find things of interest. In any event, spending some time with dafflibrary is a good way to while away a few hours. :-)
Mary Lou,
The problem as I see it is that the ADS Journal should be for everyone, not just the senior hybridizers and growers.
Not everyone is so interested in daffodils that they will do detailed searches for information on Daffnet. There are still people that do not spend the entire day on the internet or on their iPAD or iPOD. Some people still like to be spoon fed their information in black and white. The next step in this dafflibrary format is to take it total electronic and not put out a paper copy of the ADS Journal. By doing that, ADS will lose a lot of readers, me included. I don’t spend my day on the internet. I have other things to do, including my master gardeners, my own gardening, making properties for other daffodil societies, writing for my own enjoyment, working with my daffodil society, reading books, and minding my own time. I am easily entertained and do not require interaction all day long – it must be my mid-west upbringing.
Clay
Clay,
In my opinion, you are off base in your criticism of the ADS Journal.
We agree that the Journal should have content appealing to all ADS members. It should nurture the fledgling interests of novice daffodil growers and by so doing encourage their continuing membership in the ADS. It should provide informative, enjoyable articles of interest to veteran enthusiasts who simply enjoy growing their daffodils (and who are the mainstay of the ADS). And, it should include occasional “advanced” articles for exhibitors and hybridizers to further their knowledge and skills.
I believe the Journal Editor has provided, and is providing, just that. You realize that breadth of content is constrained by the articles submitted and available for publication. So if you believe additional subjects or article types are needed – then write and submit them.
I feel your criticism of a problem you perceive, without offering help toward its solution, is not constructive and that your excuse “I have other things to do” is lame.
I know you can do better.
Bob
Bob,
Thank you for your comments.
Of course you know that I think you are wrong. I will send you a personal email.
Clay
Lynn,
Of course Bob Spotts is a nice guy. I think Bob and I are closer to agreement then what seems to be the case in this thread. Friends can be critical of each other and still be friends.
Clay
Clay,
I have some novice information basics for planting, picking and showing that I compiled for my club members. Unfortunately, my members aren’t interested. Would you like a copy for your wonderful master garden group? Please email me. And yes, they are wonderful! I always like judging your show because of them!
Ceci