The Laidlaw Gesneriad Challenge
Ernie Laidlaw
|
Chris Normoyle
|
Background
Ernie Laidlaw was a long serving AVSWA and committee member who was instrumental in setting up and maintaining the AVSWA website, he created a large amount of content that is still on our webpage today. Ernie was always interested in all Gesneriads and often tried to encourage members to grow all variants.
Sadly, Ernie passed away suddenly in December 2022.
Chris Normoyle, also a long serving AVSWA member was a good friend of Ernie’s, and they would often talk about growing other Gesneriads (especially Streptocarpus). Chris was also keen to encourage all members to grow more Gesneriads.
So, in February 2023 Chris proposed that in honour of Ernie we all start growing other Gesneriads and suggested the “Laidlaw Challenge”.
Ernie’s wife Pat is also a long serving AVSWA and committee member, who looks after the AVSWA library was delighted with Chris' proposal and stated that together with her daughter Gemma they would like to be the sponsors of the “Laidlaw Gesneriad Challenge”, donating $100 in two $50 Bunnings Gift cards. The prize could be won by one or two people depending on the voting.
To get the challenge started in March 2023 Chris brought in a number of seedlings which he shared for members to start growing Streptocarpus plants. Sadly, before the first annual challenge Chris also passed away. At the first Challenge only one of the seedlings that Chris had donated had matured and it fittingly was one of the two winners.
Inspired by Ernie & Pat and Chris Normoyle, more of our growers are daring to grow other varieties of the Gesneriad family. The annual “Laidlaw Gesneriad Challenge” is held in September each year. All members present are eligible and encouraged to enter.
The winners are determined through a voting process whereby all members present at the meeting are given one vote to apply to their favourite plant. The top 1 or 2 plants with the most votes will be declared the winners.
An annual winners list will be maintained on the Website, with the new winner(s) added each year.
How Do I Enter?
All members present are encouraged to enter and every plant entered must be a healthy specimen of the Gesneriad genera (except not an African Violet).
Entry Placement Prior to the Meeting?
Growers may seek the Steward's advice on the plant which will be placed before the commencement of the General Meeting on the designated table (seperate to the monthly competition table) ensuring that no identification is visible. All Plants entered remain the personal property of the grower, and as such must be accorded full respect by other members.
The Steward?
Will instruct an immediate removal of an unhealthy or non-Gesneriad plant.
Voting?
Commencing during the General Meeting all members present at the meeting will be given one vote/token to apply to their favourite plant. The top 1 or 2 plants with the most votes will be declared the winner/s. Where equal votes occur our registered judges will confer to determine the top one or two winners.
After the Meeting
Plants must remain on the table until the completion of the meeting, and preferably until the completion of the afternoon's proceedings. When removing plants, it is the responsibility of the grower to also remove all miscellaneous items brought to the meeting - If You Brought It, Take It home!
Ernie Laidlaw was a long serving AVSWA and committee member who was instrumental in setting up and maintaining the AVSWA website, he created a large amount of content that is still on our webpage today. Ernie was always interested in all Gesneriads and often tried to encourage members to grow all variants.
Sadly, Ernie passed away suddenly in December 2022.
Chris Normoyle, also a long serving AVSWA member was a good friend of Ernie’s, and they would often talk about growing other Gesneriads (especially Streptocarpus). Chris was also keen to encourage all members to grow more Gesneriads.
So, in February 2023 Chris proposed that in honour of Ernie we all start growing other Gesneriads and suggested the “Laidlaw Challenge”.
Ernie’s wife Pat is also a long serving AVSWA and committee member, who looks after the AVSWA library was delighted with Chris' proposal and stated that together with her daughter Gemma they would like to be the sponsors of the “Laidlaw Gesneriad Challenge”, donating $100 in two $50 Bunnings Gift cards. The prize could be won by one or two people depending on the voting.
To get the challenge started in March 2023 Chris brought in a number of seedlings which he shared for members to start growing Streptocarpus plants. Sadly, before the first annual challenge Chris also passed away. At the first Challenge only one of the seedlings that Chris had donated had matured and it fittingly was one of the two winners.
Inspired by Ernie & Pat and Chris Normoyle, more of our growers are daring to grow other varieties of the Gesneriad family. The annual “Laidlaw Gesneriad Challenge” is held in September each year. All members present are eligible and encouraged to enter.
The winners are determined through a voting process whereby all members present at the meeting are given one vote to apply to their favourite plant. The top 1 or 2 plants with the most votes will be declared the winners.
An annual winners list will be maintained on the Website, with the new winner(s) added each year.
How Do I Enter?
All members present are encouraged to enter and every plant entered must be a healthy specimen of the Gesneriad genera (except not an African Violet).
Entry Placement Prior to the Meeting?
Growers may seek the Steward's advice on the plant which will be placed before the commencement of the General Meeting on the designated table (seperate to the monthly competition table) ensuring that no identification is visible. All Plants entered remain the personal property of the grower, and as such must be accorded full respect by other members.
The Steward?
Will instruct an immediate removal of an unhealthy or non-Gesneriad plant.
Voting?
Commencing during the General Meeting all members present at the meeting will be given one vote/token to apply to their favourite plant. The top 1 or 2 plants with the most votes will be declared the winner/s. Where equal votes occur our registered judges will confer to determine the top one or two winners.
After the Meeting
Plants must remain on the table until the completion of the meeting, and preferably until the completion of the afternoon's proceedings. When removing plants, it is the responsibility of the grower to also remove all miscellaneous items brought to the meeting - If You Brought It, Take It home!
Annual Winners
Year |
Winner 1 |
Winner 2 |
2024 |
Des de Villiers |
Mehdi Panahandeh |
