Bruce Skeen kindly agreed to contribute to this website by giving an interesting and informative account of his visit to the International Chrysanthemum Conference held in Japan in November 1999. This page contains a potted history of Bruce's involvement with chrysanthemums stretching over 30 years.

In 1966 Bruce was instrumental in the formation of  the Penrith Horticultural Society (re-named Penrith City Garden Club) and served as its first Secretary,  later becoming Treasurer and President and still an active (Honorary Life) member producing  Bruce Skeen's Plant Notes on a regular basis for members of the garden club.

Around 1972 he joined the Chrysanthemum Study Club of Australia (now known as the Chrysanthemum Society of New South Wales) and in 1973  was elected Secretary/Treasurer before finally giving up this post a couple of years ago. While active within the Society Bruce produced up to four and more issues each year of The Modern Chrysanthemum, the Society's newsletter.

In 1980 he attended the first International Chrysanthemum Conference in New Zealand. On return from this conference, he was instrumental in taking steps to form Australia's National Chrysanthemum body. This is known as the Australian Chrysanthemum Council and consists of the 'memberships' of the Chrysanthemum Society of New South Wales, the Chrysanthemum Society of Victoria, the chrysanthemum 'groups' in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport of the State of Tasmania, the South Australian Chrysanthemum and Floral Art Society and the West Australian Chrysanthemum Society. While no longer a Councillor for this orgainsation Bruce remains the Council's International Representative, also producing  it's magazine called Chrysanthemums Down Under.

In 1990, and with the formalisation of the International Chrysanthemum Council taking place with the International Conference being held in Perth, Western Australia, Bruce was elected Administrator of the I.C.C. In 1993 he attended the International Conference in Toronto, Canada (and was a keynote speaker) and was re-elected to the position. Although  not able to get to the next International event in New Zealand in 1996 he was again elected Administrator of the I.C.C.  Most recently, he attended the International Conference in Japan (November 1999) , again a keynote speaker, but the I.C.C. on this occasion  failed to elect an Administrator.

In 1980 Bruce put pen to paper in a more formal way - as author of a chrysanthemum book entitled  'Growing Chrysanthemums'. He is currently working on  an updated version that is very close to publication.

After almost thirty years of growing chrysanthemums as 'specimens in a bottle', and growing all the various types - Large Exhibition, Medium Exhibition, Incurved, Reflexed and Intermediate Decoratives, Singles, Anemones, 'Fantasy' (Spider and Quilled) and Poms, he now concentrates on plantings in the garden and in tubs of what the Americans call 'cushion mums', Cascades and 'Shapes' in the form of fans, columns, squares, etc.

Link to Bruce's Diary - ICC Japan 1999

© 2000 Bruce Skeen/Paul Barlow

If you would like further information or wish to comment on this publication please send your e-mail to: paul.barlow@chrysanthemums.info

Last updated on 22 December, 2001