The growers of today are much more open with their knowledge and are prepared to pass this on to anyone who shows interest. Commercial developments in all forms of horticulture have brought with them significant advances in fertilisers, pesticides, and fungicides. The use of such products is unfortunately a necessary evil in order to comply with the current judging and exhibiting rules. From the late fourties through to the seventies there was an acceleration of interest in most horticutural pursuits but this appears to go into decline from the early eighties. For the reasons stated earlier our current varieties are the end of the line.
Amateur raisers decline in numbers and novelties all but disappear.
Shows standards decline as many of the current varieties deteriorate in terms of health and vigour. Exhibitor numbers decline further because the quality flowers of the past are no longer available. The national shows, always considered the showpieces in our calendar, limp along for a few more years but largely as an 'exhibitors club'. As a result of reducing membership many specialist societies are forced to operate on a shoestring, premises and gardens are sold off and job losses result in some areas. Chrysanthemum publications reduce in frequency and content - there are less people to contribute to these publications and less people to read them.