In publicizing our 1972 Annual Meeting there was an almost irresistible urge to
use scenic shots of this marvelously photogenic city, but space is always at a
premium in our Quarterly Bulletin, and we decided this issue might have more
lasting interest if we used the color page to show the sort of plants we grow
and love. You can always find pretty pictures of San Francisco elsewhere. In
their absence here let us assure you that San Francisco does continue, in spite
of all, to live with much more than its share of beauty and grace.
General Plans
Visitors should be aware that our blooming season starts in earnest in
November (Vireyas and some evergreen azaleas) and lasts through July (
R. diaprepes, R. kyawii, etc.) Convention dates at the end of April were
selected since they normally are our midseason, but many of our specialties
will unavoidably be missed. Experienced garden tourists have of course learned
that the most magnificent blooms always just faded an hour or two before they
arrived or are forever tight in bud.
April 26th is a Wednesday
and these end-of-the-week dates were selected due to problems repeatedly
experienced by delegates with conventions that disrupt two working weeks.
Sunday, April 30th, is (except for supplementary tours) getaway day,
and you'll have ample time to get back for the Monday grind.
 |
FIG. 21. Filoli - One of the stops on the tours of California
gardens. Photo by Owen Pearce |
The Miyako Hotel
Selected as our headquarters
primarily because a poll of California Chapter members revealed that they
especially enjoyed conventions they had attended here. This relatively small,
new and elegant hotel has the added advantage of being close to the Hall of
Flowers where our Show will be held. Also, a variety of motels with a range of
rates are conveniently available nearby. The Miyako's meeting and banquet
facilities are more than adequate for our needs, but a limited number of rooms
are available in each category and early reservations are strongly advised.
We also hope you will pay your
registration fee as soon as possible. As always, you will save money if you do
so. The fee is $30.00 for all registrations received prior to March 15, but
$35.00 after that.
The California Chapter's Annual Show
Hall of Flowers, Strybing Arboretum We are staging our Annual Show concurrently
with the Annual Meeting, and we eagerly solicit entries from all delegates.
Rhododendron trusses have transported well in the past, and Lord Aberconway long
ago remarked that the plants always seemed to appreciate a little "carriage
exercise". While one picture may be worth a thousand words, the plant material
itself is worth a thousand pictures.
Visitors from Washington and Oregon
are assured that no problems any longer exist in bringing rhododendrons into
California. Only occasional spot checks are conducted at the border; and even
then, assuming you are not entering a rare, riddled-leaf form, a simple
declaration that the plants or trusses are rhododendrons will suffice for prompt
and courteous clearance. But alas: It particularly grieves me to report that
eastern delegates prepared to make an heroic effort at showing plants will face
an additional obstacle from the California Department of Agriculture. Plants are
subject to quarantine procedures that might prove devastating to their show
condition. As for trusses and sprays, only spot checks are carried out at the
airports, but to be safe it would be wise to have the material certified prior
to departure. We do so much want you not only to attend but to exhibit plant
material, but our officials are wary of stowaway eggs of (from New England) the
Gypsy and Browntail Moths or of (from other areas) the Japanese Beetle or
Rhododendron Whitefly. In any event, very special recognition is promised for
the truss that traveled the farthest, and our Show schedule and Classification
list will be sent to all delegates upon receipt of their registration fee.
The Program - What's New in '72 Our
banquet speaker, Dr. August Kehr, will speak on "Research: What's New in '72".
This title so accorded with our determination to have all our programs present
fresh and important material that we have shamelessly plagiarized from it for
our convention theme. Deadline for copy for this issue was in November, and
delegates should understand that by the time of the convention at the end of
April a few minor changes in the arrangement of events might prove necessary.
Since a whole day spent on tours tends to tire our legs and a whole day sitting
and listening to programs tends to tire us elsewhere, all days have been split
into half days for programs and half days for tours.
