he September meeting of the Maryborough Horticultural Society began with the introduction of the new president. Past president, Dorothy Noecker, welcomed Jo Houston to the president’s chair. According to the group’s records, Houston is the 37th person in the 76 years the society has existed to hold that position.
Houston introduced guest speaker Joanna Baars, of Arthur Greenhouses. Baars’ topic was “Tulips” and she began by outlining the history of tulips. She noted when tulips were first brought to the Netherlands, probably in the 16th century, they were so valuable one tulip bulb had the value of a house in downtown Amsterdam. Today the Netherlands is the world’s primary source of tulips.
Baars gave many suggestions for growing tulips. She suggested planting bulbs in groups of five, seven or nine, preferably in a circle. Tulips will do better if the bulbs are dug up in the late spring and planted again in the fall. The bigger the bulb, the bigger the flower will be.
Houston thanked Baars for her interesting and informative presentation. A lunch was served by Margaret Martin and Beverly Martin.
During recess, members voted on the entries for the mini-show – “A Fall Arrangement End-of-the-Garden”. First place went to Houston and second place to Martha Rumph.
Several items were discussed during the business meeting. Members were invited to attend the tree planting ceremony which was held on Sept. 26 at the Maryborough Terrace in Moorefield. In 2012 each of the districts in the Ontario Horticultural Association received a Bur Oak tree in honour of the Queen’s Jubilee. Through a draw, the Maryborough Society won the tree for District 7 and Maryborough Terrace was selected by the executive as a suitable spot for this tree.
The District 7 Fall Meeting, hosted by the Elora and Salem Horticultural Society, will be held on Oct. 27 at the Alma Community Hall.
The next Maryborough Horticultural Society meeting will be held on Oct. 23 at the Optimist Hall in Moorefield.
