Letter to AOS

[Orchidflowerchild]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Blondie,
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!!

Ya gotta establish your heterosexuality, then tell the *chicks.* Trust me, the first time I found a cute guy who was into orchids...well...too bad our relationship wasn't that *kind* of relationship, because...well, find the right girl...there are dividends.

-Cj

[calvin_orchidL]

Originally Posted by Orchidflowerchild

Ya gotta establish your heterosexuality, then tell the *chicks.* Trust me, the first time I found a cute guy who was into orchids...well...too bad our relationship wasn't that *kind* of relationship, because...well, find the right girl...there are dividends.

-Cj

Too true - Can't think of too many male members of our society under 30 that play on your team...sorry!

This is a fascinating discussion, to be sure. To be honest, from a young persons' point of view (I'm 22) I look at most of my friends and I can never truly see them growing orchids - I think it requires a certain degree of commitment and seriousness to fully devote yourself to this hobby at this stage in life. While it may be easier when you have a home, a stable life style and a steady income to raise a few phals and be the 'casual' orchid hobbyist, young people are busy tearing around and building their lives; as a result, it's kind of an all-or-nothing kind of deal. Either you love them and seriously grow them, or you don't. And I'm not too sure whether changing or revamping the AOS will stimulate that. If we're talking about AOS involvement, that will come with time, as young orchid growers get grow a bit older and get involved. If we're talking about orchid growing as a hobby - I don't think that's something that can be induced by changing a magazine...it takes that first bite of the bug (you all know what I mean) and that happens on a personal level in many shapes and forms.

Personally I don't know the situation about the AOS (are they really declining in numbers?) but the biggest hindrance is money. I see it as a luxury for older established people who have 10, 20 years of growing behind them. As someone said earlier - I'd rather spend the money on another plant. I haven't really been exposed to the AOS so I don't really know about this snobby attitude that people are referring to...but hey, I totally agree with CJ - even if it feels a little foreboding, all it takes is to jump right in.

I was a part of our local society for a few years without meeting a single person....then suddenly I had a bit more time on my hands, and participated at a few volunteer events, helped with judging...and suddenly, I know people's names, and have started talking regularly to other members!

[goodgollymissmolly]

Calvin, I agree with most of what you say. Cj knows more about orchids than most, maybe all, folks three times her age. You might also, probably do. Age is not the issue, commitment to the hobby and a desire to be good at it is the point. You and Cj will last a long time because you are already sorted out by virtue of the fact that you are doing something uncommon for your age group.

I'm afraid that in the older group you find people just trying get involved in something, but not consumed by it. If it's hard they quit. So they join AOS for a year or two, kill three Lowes plants and disappear. I'm afraid all the hobby societies are doomed to a small group of enthusiasts and a large group passing through. It's just the nature of people. They aren't committed to doing whatever they do better than anyone else ever has.

[Phantasm]

To all,

I have been in touch with the people at the AOS Headquarters and they are well aware of this conversation. Blondie- you have their attention and they will respond to your letter. Please be aware that the AOS is a group of orchid enthusiasts of varying interests with different priorities. If you want to be heard then you have to speak loudly! There is definitely interest in the message you are bringing, and hopefully your energy can be harnessed with others of similar thinking.

[Ross]

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!

[Royal]

and another, and another...

[Gin]

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

[Blondie]

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.

[Ross]

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. 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.

[Royal]

Originally Posted by Ross

I was an honor roll student

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