Drawing from the Well

Going to a workshop session with the Northwest Federation of Dahlia growers is much like going to the well to get water. First of all, there is the obvious value of the resource so essential to life. We can't live without water, and as dahlia growers, we can't thrive without dipping into the well that constitutes the the shared knowledge of others. In this age of the internets, it doesn't take more than a few seconds to access hundreds or thousands of suggested resources, claiming to help us become more competent and successful dahlia growers. But I have found that "The Google" is a shallow well when compared to the combined knowledge, experience, enthusiasm and generosity of a room full of award winning growers, champion hybridizers and the many "dahlia folks" who populate the room at a Federation workshop. We had a good turnout for yesterday's July 21 workshop in Seattle, and we all walked away with buckets filled with images, ideas and challenges. The impact of the learning far surpasses anything we might find in cyberspace or even in the many books and bulletins most of us keep close at hand. Hybridizer and grower Wayne Lobaugh taught us a lot about staging award winning entries and how to safely transport our lovelies to shows. We also had our old ideas about disbudding roundly challenged by Federation President Dick Parshall, as he discussed the 8 basic terminal and lateral bud combinations. He illustrated how and in which situations we might want to disbud to a sidebud instead of the central terminal bud, and helped to disabuse us of the notions that we always need to disbud early, and dahlias always come on in a perfect set of two sidebuds and one taller central bud. I will certainly look at my plants differently, and hopefully be able to implement this option to improve the quality of my blooms. Dick also talked about the use of barrier fencing as a means of reducing or eliminating the need to tie up dahlia plants, with a hands-on demonstration of how we can do this. The interesting thing about so many of these workshop topics and discussions is that the people who present or facilitate them are the first ones to stress that they are not "experts" - that they are all on a similar journey, and that everyone is a teacher AND a learner as we progress. Although the workshop covered the topics above, as well as some general federation business and reports, I usually like to take more of a more "big picture" view....in other words, in addition to the specific topics of the day, what concepts made the greatest overall impact on me? I walked away from the day with two overriding principles caroming around in my head. The first was how important it is to just SHOW UP. The opportunity to spend 5 hours on a Saturday with some of the brightest lights in the dahlia sky is such a gift. One thing that I have learned about myself over time is that by far the biggest challenge to taking advantage of ANYTHING is taking the first step of simply making a decision and following through. Once I get in the car and am on my way, everything else is easy. All of us have busy lives, and heaven knows, it is pretty darn tempting to spend a summer day outside or in the garden, rather in a church basement on a folding chair all day. But a second-hand account of the happenings of the day never has quite the impact of actually being there. If you are thirsting for more dahlia knowledge and inspiration from masters and role models, then make a decision to show up and drink freely from this deep well. The second principle is one that I walk away with every time I participate in such a day - DAHLIA PEOPLE CAN ELEVATE YOUR MOOD! We all have bad days, or even bad weeks at times. When this is the case, it may be even more difficult to motivate ourselves to take that first step out the door. I had been having such a week when Saturday rolled around, and knowing that I had to get up at 4:30 am in order to make the trip over Stevens Pass in time for the 8:00 Executive Committee meeting didn't make me any more cheerful. But I dragged myself out of bed, swallowed a cup of hot, strong black coffee and headed out. As I was making my way to the meeting room, I got big hugs from Wendy and Kaile Brant. A few minutes later, I stepped into the meeting room, and everyone seemed happy to see me. Bob Schroeder scooted aside, so I could sit next to him, even while he teased me a little about being late. After the meeting I was able to chat with Drew Brant and Les Connell, as we made our way downstairs to the general meeting. When I got down there, Rosemary Freeman, New Membership Chair for the ADS, asked me if I would be willing to assist her in that role, that she thought I possessed qualities well-suited for the task. Of course I said yes....honored! Then Bernie Wilson caught my eye, came over, and gave me another warm hug. We talked a bit about our gardens, and my dad's last seedling, Cascade Myrt. Since Bernie is one of the few people in the Federation who knew Dad well, visiting with him makes me think about how much Dad would have enjoyed being a part of this group if he were still living. Later that morning, Phil Kincare from Snohomish County Dahlia Society, sought me out to gift me with one of their club medallions, saying that they wanted us to have one. Since Snohomish County was my dad's first and I think, favorite club, it really means a lot to have this medal as the first in our club's collection. Returning to my seat after giving my club report, Richard Tailleur, who was sitting next to me, leaned over and handed me a piece of paper on which he had written his contact information, and he said he wants to give our club some tubers from his new award winning introduction, a beautiful white mini-ball named Dorothy R, for us to sell and add to our demonstration garden. During lunch, I learned a bit about how Ken Greenway and Dick Parshall do their seedlings, and picked their brains a bit in regard to insects and infestations. The Brants also made sure that I knew they have space at their house if any of our members who are coming over for their Kitsap County show need a place to say. WOW! Can you see how nurturing this day ended up being for me? If I were your doctor, and you were feeling down in the dumps, I think I would just encourage you to "Take Two Dahlia People and Call Me In the Morning...." If that doesn't improve your attitude, then you just might be terminal.....