Last night I was entering Weigela Florida on the database and read the comment by mccash. That's when I found out it needs sun, not the shady spot where I have it. That's a huge help!the

Edited to correct the name of the plant, which is Weigela Wine and Roses!

Don't be shy about giving thumbs or acorns to helpful comments!

Thanks. I thought I had given it a thumb but reviewing the comment I saw I hadn't so I gave Margaret acorns!

Acornomy!

Acornomics!

Acornomical!


(Edited to add, for fans of H. P. Lovecraft, The Acornomicon. Yog-Sothoth!)

Can you make mine pecans Dave? I always was a little different.

Acorny - conomy? Nah, that's too clumsy.

I agree, too, that helpful tips from experienced gardeners are worth their weight in . . ah . ..acorns. You can get grundles of scientific bafflegab from books and online articles (and Rick . . ) but down-to-earth advice on what people do to grow a plant well? That's what we're about here!

I thought about suggesting another contest in the winter, but aren't there a lot of members who simply aren't on the site very much when their gardens are asleep? No harm in trying of course, but half the country might be hibernating unless we wait until early spring, maybe?

There are a lot of forums that disappear to the bottom of the list in winter, and don't see a post for months.

I spend a good bit of my winter online at ATP. Gardening down time here.

valleylynn said:I spend a good bit of my winter online at ATP. Gardening down time here.

Me too.

Winter is when I clean up my plant list, organize my photos, and of course dream/plan for the next growing season. While some folks may hibernate, I think there would be enough interest for a second push at improving the database. Rather than a comment contest, perhaps have a plant content contest - identify reliable web sites for gleaning information and see how many plants we can flesh out with the basics (?)

I am always here summer or winter. Actually have more time in the winter to do comments and add photos.

Same as Rita!

How about designating February as ATP Bump Month and we can all bump our favorite threads as the snow flies or the snowbirds fly?

"bafflegab" is a good word! I agree that relevant experience is more useful than theory.

But unless we understand "why" things happen, it's hard to translate experience from one climate and soil type and style of gardening to another climate and soil type and style. And I admit: I'm always fascinated by "why". Nature is amazing.

I agree with Deb that a plant data contest would be great. It would also provide a good chance to let members know some of the things we often have to correct in their proposals. In fact, I think I'll take this opportunity now and start a thread about common errors in data proposals.

Just kidding you of course, Rick. I always enjoy your posts, and am also a person that likes to know "Why".

There are lots of gardeners who are impatient with scientific words, though. Just last week I was volunteering at a Plant Clinic and called a plant by its botanical name. When I got finished explaining, the lady politely said "now would you tell me all that in English, please?". I hadn't used all THAT many big words . . .

Zuzu, give us a link when it is ready.

I see you already found it, Lynn.

The thread "Common errors in data proposals" in Plant Database forum

Yes I did, and it is very helpful. Thank you so much Zuzu.

[quote="dyzzypyxxy] aren't there a lot of members who simply aren't on the site very much when their gardens are asleep? No harm in trying of course, but half the country might be hibernating unless we wait until early spring, maybe?.[/quote]

I like acorneconomy.
Leave it to Rick to send us off in this direction!
Go Rick!

And I am on here MORE in the winter. Planning, plotting, digging (for info), LEARNING!

dyzzypyxxy said:When I got finished explaining, the lady politely said "now would you tell me all that in English, please?". I hadn't used all THAT many big words . . .

I used to be in a club where I got a lot of this. I would politely explain in return that "botannical names are more reliable than common ones because common names can vary from place to place and/or plant to plant (black eyed susan, for example)" and THEN tell them what the most common common names for the plant in question are.