Potomac Lily Society Newsletter

Transcription

1 Potomac Lily Society Newsletter Volume 45, Number 2 May 2016 Potomac Lily Society 56th Annual Lily Show A Night at the Opera MERRIFIELD GARDEN CENTER Fair Oaks Location Lee Highway, Fairfax, Virginia Admission is free and the show is open to the public Saturday, June 18, :30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Affiliated with The North American Lily Society and The National Capital Area Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. For show information contact: or visit PRESIDENT S MESSAGE I always think of June as Lily month a combination of colorful blooms and Lily Shows, local and national. This year s weather is crazier than usual Virginia weather. Recently, with more than ten days of almost continual rainy, drizzling skies, I m wondering if my lilies will have enough sunny days to set bloom. PLS will host its show at Merrifield Gardens, Fairfax, again this year on Saturday, June 18. Set-up will be Friday afternoon and early Saturday morning for Artistic Design and horticulture entries. Judging will take place late Saturday morning and the show will be open to the public starting at 12:30 PM Saturday. After our luncheon at a nearby restaurant, members will return to Merrifield for show breakdown and cleanup. We expect to have a good turnout of exhibitors and, with the cooperation of Mother Nature, lots of stems for the show. The Garden Club of Virginia s annual lily show is in Middleburg again this year on June Please consider exhibiting at this show. You do not need to be a Garden Club member to exhibit stems or enter artistic design. The North American Lily Society (NALS) Show will be held in Chicago this year, from July 6 to July 10, at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Our Society, as well as many other regionals, are helping to support the national show with contributions of money and manpower. Mary Zocchi of our society is one of the Show Chairs and doing a great job organizing by long distance. I hope to see everyone at the PLS Show! Inside this Newsletter Educate Local Clubs p. 2 PLS Lily Show Info p.4 Upcoming Lily Shows p.5 PLS Lily Show Schedule Attached

2 Potomac Lily Society Newsletter page 2 The Potomac Lily Society is a nonprofit organization established to promote and encourage interest in the cultivation, propagation and improvement of the genus Lilium in its many forms and hybrids among the membership, other plant and horticultural groups, and the public. Expand Awareness, Educate Your Local Garden Clubs By Barbara Sullivan and Mary Zocchi OFFICERS President KathleenHoxie@aol.com Vice President James McKenney jamesamckenney@verizon.net Secretary Tricia Kincheloe trixielee29@cs.com Treasurer jroboat@msn.com Membership Secretary Mary Q. Zocchi maryzocchi@earthlink.net DIRECTORS Anna Fortune Trish Goins Jim McKenney John Rountree Muriel Turner Dave Willmore Suzi Worsham Mary Zocchi NEWSLETTER EDITOR Mary Q. Zocchi maryzocchi@earthlink.net WEBMASTER James McKenney webmaster@potomaclilysociety.org Even though South Texas is not exactly the lily capital of the world, we are always looking for new avenues to expand our gardening diversification and education. As horticulture chairman for our San Antonio, Alamo Heights-Terrell Hills Garden Club (AHTHGC), member of the Garden Club of America, I was very excited to hear that Mary Zocchi, our new transfer member from Virginia, was an accredited NALS lily judge and NALS US Vice President. Last summer we were working on our schedule for our Spring 2016 Horticulture show and with Mary as our mentor, we decided to put in a Lily Challenge Class. Since many of us did not know a daylily from a true lily, we needed an educational program and workshop to prepare us for our challenge class. At our meeting in January, Mary gave us a wonderful lily presentation ( Lilies for dummies ). She gave a short overview of: the anatomy of the lily; how to prepare the soil (most important); hybrids that she has been successful in growing in our hot, sunny climate; tips on how to show your lily for judging; and propagating from scales. The workshop consisted of hands on potting of the bulbs we would be entering in the horticulture show at the end of March. Each participating member was provided an 8 pot, potting soil (Mary s mixture), label, 3 dwarf Asiatic lily bulbs, Let s Grow Lilies, and a handout with potting instructions and soil, watering and fertilizing recommendations. Now we just have to wait and see how our lilies grow! Thanks to Mary, some of us South Texas ladies can put aside a few of our succulents and cacti and try growing lilies. Eight weeks later. Mary had chewed her nails down to the quick with worry that the lilies would not bloom in time for the March horticulture show. The day finally arrived. The AHTHGC members were asked to bring their pot of Asiatic lilies, no (Con t p.3)

3 Potomac Lily Society Newsletter page 3 (Con t from matter what shape the plants were in, and enter them in the Challenge Class. A huge sigh of relief was breathed as the pots started to arrive! A couple pots were stems with tight buds, a couple pots had stems with lilies far gone, but the majority of the pots had lilies in full bloom! A couple entries included photographs of what their lily looked like in full bloom. One entry included a poem written to Lilian, the lily who bloomed too early. What a way to get a group learning and talking about lilies. The conversation included questions such as: Why have my lilies not bloomed? Why are my stems taller than her stems? Should the bulbs be kept in the pot or planted in the ground? Where do I get more information about lilies? And the list goes on. In preaching to the choir, growing lilies is fun and rewarding. Sharing your knowledge and seeing the excitement is even more awesome. Try working with a local garden club or organization. Create a 2 part workshop, a hands-on day and then a show n tell later, when the lilies should be blooming. Be there to help, engage, and answer questions. The Ladylike Lily Tribute to Lillian, the Little Lily That Could By her trainer e.a., March 28, 2016 Ellen Schwethelm, novice horticulturist Lillian, I told the lily, We don t have this made, My yard is almost, All deep shade I ll take you for sunbaths, When I find some sun, But the rest you must do, Small, valiant one. Our garden club has set a date, For flowering to be complete If you don t bloom by then, We can t compete. Graciously, the lily then grew and grew, Exactly the way I told her to, It s not her fault she s not in tune, I forgot to tell her not to bloom too soon! Photos on page 2, curtesy of Barbara Sullivan Top Left: Mary Zocchi with presentation materials Bottom Right: Supplies for each participant Photos on page 3, curtesy of Mary Zocchi Above: Lily Entries at the Alamo Heights Terrell Hills Garden Club Horticulture Show, March 29, 2016 Right: Entry by Ellen Schwethelm, novice horticulturist. Instead of blooms, she had pictures of what the lily looked like at its peak. It would have been a blue ribbon! Your Article Here!!! I invite you to submit articles or notices to be included in the newsletter. Suggested items could be the highlights of other society flower shows or the NALS show this summer, gardening tips (particularly about lilies), useful websites, gardens visited, upcoming events, etc. Do not be concerned that there may not be space for your contribution. Just send it on and I will fit it in if possible. If not, I can always include it in a later issue.

4 Potomac Lily Society Newsletter page 4 PLS Lily Show Details Show Schedule is included with this newsletter. Some Tips on Grooming Show Exhibits Grooming is the practice of preparing specimens for entry in the show, making them look as good as possible. Start by selecting your best stems those which have a healthy, vigorous appearance, free from insect damage or disease. In a perfect world, the stem will have the number of blooms and buds typical for the cultivar, all well spaced and with good color and size. Practically, pick the best stem of each cultivar you have. Cut your stem in early morning or late evening and immediately plunge it into water for an hour to harden. When hardened, place in a container which allows you to stage the stem as you will want it. Remove any leaves that would be in water. Carefully trim leaves to remove an brown tips or insect damage, but ensure that you retain the basic shape of the leaf. If necessary, remove heavily damaged or broken leaves and flower parts. If removing a withered flower, avoid leaving any stub or the pedicle. Clean each leaf with a wet cotton swab to remove any dirt, spray residue, or insect remains. If cleaning is necessary on the bloom, it is best to use a dry artists brush to remove any dirt or pollen. Treat pollen as the enemy and do all you can to avoid spreading it beyond the anthers. Place your stems in an appropriate container to transport them to the show. Avoid stems from rubbing together and any contact that could cause bruising or damage to the stem or flowers. If appropriate, cover the anthers with foil cups or tissue to prevent pollen from staining the tepals. Finally, stage your stem in the show container so it is straight as possible and check to see that there is sufficient water in the container. Directions Merrifield Garden Center Fair Oaks Lee highway Fairfax, VA From either side of I-66, take exit 55 and take the Fairfax County Pkwy (Rt. 7100) south. Stay in the right lane and take the next exit to Lee Hwy (Rt 29). Going east on Lee Hwy, you pass Piney Branch Rd and then the Garden Center will be on your right. Delivering Your Lilies The exhibition room is located on the 2nd floor of the main bldg. You can use the stairs or the elevator. Signs will be posted to direct you. Stems may be dropped off at the loading area adjacent to the main bldg. A variety of carts will be available to use in moving your stems. Park in the lot cars cannot be left unattended in the loading zone. Preparation will take place in the lunch room.

5 Potomac Lily Society Newsletter page 5 Upcoming Lily Shows Potomac Lily Society 55th Annual Lily Show Merrifield Garden Center, Fair Oaks Location, Virginia SEE SHOW SCHEDULE for more details The North American Lily Society welcome s you to Chicago We invite lily enthusiasts from around the world to the 69th Annual International Lily Show & Symposium. The Garden Club of Virginia 74th Annual Lily Show Hosted by the Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club Wednesday, June 15, 2 to 7pm Thursday June 16, 9:45 to 1pm Foxcroft School Foxhound Lane Middleburg, VA For more information: Chicago Botanic Garden Glencoe, Illinois July 6-10, 2016 For More Details Misplaced your newsletter or wondering when the next PLS event will be? Bookmark our web address and you will be a click away from all the current PLS information.

6 Potomac Lily Society Newsletter MINUTES from the ANNUAL MEETING The Annual Meeting of the Potomac Lily Society took place on March 20, 2016 at the Ft. Myer Officer s Club in Arlington, Virginia. President, Vice President Same Wyatt and Secretary Tricia Kincheloe as well as Directors Anna Fortune, Tricia Goins, Jim McKenney, Dave Willmore, and Suzi Worsham and Honorary Director Vicki Bowen attended the meeting. Treasurer, and Directors John Rountree and Mary Zocchi didn t attend the meeting. President called the meeting to order at 12:45 PM. Secretary Tricia Kincheloe presented the following slate of Officers and Directors for : President Vice President Jim McKenney Secretary Tricia Kincheloe Treasurer Directors: Anna Fortune, Tricia Goins, Jim McKenney, John Rountree, Muriel Turner, Dave Willmore, Suzi Worsham and Mary Zocchi. Tricia asked if there were any nominations from the floor. There were no additional nominations and the slate was voted on and approved as presented. Design Chair Educational Exhibit Horticulture Judges Clerks and Runners Judge s Lunch Saturday Morning Coffee Publicity Schedule Staging Tabulation Muriel Tuner Tricia Kincheloe Mary Zocchi Jim McKenney page 6 We don t have a Host/Hostesses Committee this year because it s a one day show. Jim McKenney volunteered to sit at the show while the Judges and the Clerks went to lunch. The NALS Show will be held July 6-10, 2016 at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. No regional Society has volunteered to host the show, so NALS is sponsoring it. Mary Zocchi and David Maltby are the show co-chairs. PLS contributed $1, to the effort. The Garden Club of Virginia show will be held June 15-16, 2016 at the Foxcroft School in The Plains, Virginia. Jim McKenney reported that the website has been down for a while because the software program he s been using was no longer supported by Microsoft. He was able to find a new host for the site and it was updated on Friday. The alternative was to completely rebuild the website. The site has copies of the previous show schedules as well as a copy of an old newsletter from Nels Johnson s term as President. Nels arranged our first brunch at Ft. Myer. Faith and Jerry Bange invited everyone to visit their garden in Davidsonville, Md. any time from the last week of June through September. Peak bloom for their daylilies is usually from the last week of June through the third week of July. They ask that you please call them before you come to schedule your visit. then asked the Membership to approve the changes to the Bylaws (Article III, Item #1-change the number of Board members needed to constitute a quorum from 6 to 5) and Constitution (Article V, Item I-reducing the minimum number of Directors from 10 to 5) as published in the February, 2016 PLS Newsletter. The membership approved the changes. The PLS show will take place on June 18, 2016 at Merrifield Garden Center, Fair Oaks Location. The design theme will be A Night at the Opera and there are 3 Design Classes. Set up for the show will take place on Friday, June 17 th and entries will be accepted on Friday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM and on Saturday from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM. The show will be Judged and then open to the Public from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM. The show will be dismantled as soon as it closes on Saturday. Photos on this page curtesy of James McKenney Top Left: Lilium citronella Bottom Right: Lilium Frisco The Show Committee is as follows: General Chair Awards Classification Jim McKenney PLS Honorary Directors Vicki Bowen Ron Chiabotta David Diller James McKenney

7 Just for FUN! Did you know that coloring can be a great stress reliever? So when you are not in your garden loving on your lilies, take some time to color in this lily mandala. Potomac Lily Society Newsletter page 7 Benefits of being a PLS member: Only 2 meetings a year! And both involve great food and knowledgeable people who love lilies (and other plants). One Lily Show a year it may be small, but it is a joy to see! Lily Bulb and plant sale in the fall discount prices on some of your favorite and yet-to-be favorite lilies. Three newsletters a year All for $4.00! If we don t have members, we don t have a club. So please, find a friend and sign him/her up as a new member. We want you and your friends to be a part of the fun. Won t it be more fun to go to our 3 events with a friend? Sign them up! Membership form is on the last page. Questions? Contact Mary Zocchi, maryzocchi@earthlink.net PLS Fall Picnic Date/Time/Place to be announced in the next newsletter. Lots of Fun, Food and Bulbs!!

8 POTOMAC LILY SOCIETY c/o Mary Zocchi Desert Oak San Antonio, TX Potomac Lily Society Dues Payment Annual dues (January to December) are $4.00 for either an individual or couple at the same address. Dues can be paid for multiple years. Make your check payable to the Potomac Lily Society. Name: Street: City: State: ZIP: Phone: Mail to: 5801 N. 36th St. Arlington, VA 22207