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Are You an Information Addict and a Gardener?

© Diana Pederson

I am one of those people who is constantly looking for something new to read about gardening. Sometimes I buy a book on a plant species and then go out looking for the talked about plants. Other times, I do just the opposite--buy the plants and then try to find information on how to grow them. This second approach often results in frustration when I can't find reliable information. That's where a good plant society comes in handy.

Every person will have their personal reasons for joining plant societies. My primary reasons are: 1) I love to read their journals/magazines. Most contain excellent articles about cultivation, propagation, and the newest cultivars of the particular plant being discussed. 2) It provides a chance to get acquainted with others who enjoy growing a particular plant species. 3) I prefer magazines or journals which provide more in-depth articles than your popular garden magazines do. 4) I am a compulsive reader in the area of gardening--joining a plant group provides me with high quality and reliable information not generally available elsewhere.

Being "on-line" provides me with several advantages. None of the societies I belong to meets locally but I am in daily correspondence with those who love my favorite plants through e-mail discussion groups. I can ask questions and receive information usually overnight. [I've actually joined 3 plant societies because of their web presence and e-mail lists: North American Lily Society, American Hermerocallis Society, and the North American Rock Gardening Society.] Many societies have regular live on-line chat sessions. You can build friendships and maintain fast correspondence with those who love your favorite plants without waiting for the mail to get through, or without having to pay long distance telephone bills.

What is your favorite houseplant? Visit my ONE-STOP SHOPPING FOR GARDEN E-MAIL LISTS web page. You can access the web page or send e-mail subscribing to the group from this page.

What is your reason for joining an official plant society? Please share it in the discussion area.

Next week, I'll discuss rose-scented pelargoniums, a continuation of my series on Geraniums Indoors. Until then, good gardening to you!

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