Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Kids + Succulents = The Next Generation of Gardeners

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One of the most popular areas of the recent Los Angeles Drought Tolerant Plant Festival was the “Kid’s Day” section. I was very impressed by the educational exhibits, activities, and volunteers—all members of the Los Angeles Cactus & Succulent Society, a community-oriented organization now in its 80th year. I’ll soon release the video footage I took while there and post the link here. If you’d like to be notified, subscribe to my YouTube channel. In light of the importance of introducing children to nature (see Fran’s recent post), wouldn’t it be wonderful if more events introduced the fun, fascinating aspects of plants and gardening?

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I photographed the exhibit tables before the Kid’s Day area opened to the public.

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The little girl with her dad, in the background, is the granddaughter of LACSS member Kathleen Misko. When I asked little Veronica what she liked best about Kid’s Day, she replied, “The videos, because I’m in them!”

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I wish I’d been to an event like this when I was little. Or, for that matter, when I began learning about succulents.

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Below, volunteers check everything before the onslaught.

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Upon arrival, each child was given a bag of items: mini saguaros to paint, a pot to fill with small rooted plants, and a wine cork with a magnet on the back and a hole for tiny cuttings.

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When I returned with my camcorder, it was wonderful to watch the volunteers—many of them grandparents—assist children pot up the succulents they’d selected as their parents proudly looked on. You’ll see this yourself in the video. Stay tuned!

 

 

 

from Gardening Gone Wild http://gardeninggonewild.com/?p=30281


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