| FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS 15. How did this
web site come about?
Sine the 1980's, I
have had an interest in the genus Adromischus.
After finding them in South Africa, I wanted to
name my photographs. Over the years, encouraged
by Chris Rodgerson, I built up a private study
collection. Pots are restricted to a maximum of
2¾" and specimens are admittedly not grown
to show quality. Since they are housed in rented
greenhouse space, registration as a National
Collection ® is not appropriate for access and
security reasons, even though I have been an NCCPG *** member for about 20 years!
In 1998, I jointly
authored The Adromischus Handbook with John Pilbeam and
Chris Rodgerson. Considerable literature research
was entailed and we had to refine our ideas about
the scope of each taxon. The book publicised
these lovely plants and was well received, and
has sold over 1100 copies.
Adromischus display at BCSS National Convention.
Photo: David Offord, Aug. 2002.
In
2002, the BCSS National Convention at
Loughborough University gave an opportunity to
stage a display of Adro's. I prepared cards about
each taxon, with habitat photographs where
possible, to compliment the cultivated plants on
display. These web pages are developed directly
from those cards.
For
Adro-nerds, here are some technical details about
development of this web site. The original cards
were authored using Microsoft Publisher software,
on my 1998-vintage home Gateway PC running
Windows 95. Photographic slides were scanned
using a HP 5370C flat bed scanner [recommended!]
and massaged using Paint Shop Pro [Awkward to
use, but I can't afford PhotoShop!]. The cards
were printed on glossy, photo-quality paper using
a HP980cxi inkjet printer and generated much
favourable comment. Automatic generation of web
pages from Publisher was too clumsy and could not
give enough control. Instead, Microsoft FrontPage
Express was used, now replaced by Kompozer software upon a Dell Dimension E520 PC. FAQ &
Links pages were added to elaborate about
cultivation, propagation, etc. I hope you like
the straightforward, clean design!
***
The UK National Council for the
Conservation of Plants and Gardens provides a registration
service for National Collections ® for ex-situ
conservation. Containing both horticultural
cultivars and natural species, over 600 plant
collections are now listed, maintained by
institutions, nurseries and private individuals.
This successful scheme has been copied in
other countries.
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