I too rarely post. I really enjoy this forum. The pictures are absolutely gorgeous, and I have learned a lot from so many of the posters.

You do have to be rather thick skinned to post here. Sometimes its better to just sit back and enjoy what you gain by "lurking".

I enjoy a little frankness/directness from the posters alluded to...as long as its not personal and I rarely find it is. I think if we look at posts as being made for our benefit/education and not against us personally we get a better version of why someone was commenting. And yes, recurring themes of hvx, big box stores, etc are discussed........which many times do not get reset to the new poster perspective. Gives a great opportunity for someone to step in and post from a different perspective.

The hosta forum of GW is one of the most active hosta forums, so I expect we should see a little squabbling once in a while. Tell me where you don't see a little squabbling from time to time.....garden clubs, religion, sports, politics, family, friends......me neither.

Paul

Leaflover76, you say that you 'suppose' you will receive blasts for writing this post. Are you maybe poking the stick to enlist the responses you're expecting to prove your point ?

Let's say you do get blasted, then what ?

You prove that once provoked people lash out ?

All I'm going to say is this, and it certainly isn't a blast at you or your post, so don't flame me. I'm not one to judge nor do I really care if some people are thicker skinned than others.

What I do care about is that you are generalizing.

I know that you are specifically referring to a post where HH's response was the problem, in your title, and then further concerning the newcomer, but you reference the bullies.

There are no bullies, here.

What we do have is a large group of people from all walks of life coming together in a virtual way to enjoy something they love.

Just because we don't hear the answer we are looking for in the shiny little package we expected doesnâÂÂt mean it isn't still good.

I have read posts before where people get up in arms about the way the bullies respond sometimes. But my God, look past the syntax and see what it is that they are trying to do.

TEACH US, SHOW US, HELP US !!!!

So what if you don't like the tone of their post. The fact that they even try is worth anyone's time.

If every time someone whimpers because they didn't like the answer they got ⦠then where would we be ?

I'm not dismissing peoples feelings, I'm simply saying look at the environment we are in. We are a community, we chose to be a part of this, no one made us. If we didn't have experienced people to push the envelope and really make us THINK about what it is we are asking or growing, would we be any better off ? Would this forum be as rich with information ?

::calms down::

I'm sorry Leaflover76, you got me pretty worked up. Judge me as you will, but I mean no harm. I am usually the first to shy away from any confrontation, but please think about what it is you are trying to say before you go throwing around unnecessary adjectives to describe people you only know through a virtual community.

I will end here and simply say it takes ALL kinds to make anything work.

Some of these bullies would give you the shirt off their back, if you would only stop and ask.

We are blessed to have access to such a diverse array of people.

Don't make it personal and there is a lot to be gained.

Ludi

Ludi, I find it interesting that you consider my post "provoking". So its ok for the bullies to provoke and we can call it "educational or pushing the envelope" but not for the little dog to pose their own observations? You just proved my point. This forum is dominated by the few aggressive ones who make the rest hesitant to even contribute or post. Perhaps the newbies have something valuable as well to contribute but how will we know when they are too afraid to chime in? It does take ALL KINDS but if ALL KINDS will not participate out of fear then we dont actually have ALL KINDS, do we? If you want me to consider what Im going to say before I post my comments then shouldn't the same apply to everyone?

jamie81 - thank you for your opinion. I know there are others out there who just lurk because they dont want to be bashed by the others. Its a shame cuz I love the pictures and inspiration provided here. Who knows what more we could experience if inclusion was the dominant tone.

One of the big problems with a forum - we can't see the twinkle in the eye or the silly grin - this forum has a delightful mix of good information, good laughs, newbies, oldies - please don't take offense or feel shunned or blasted. There is an easy camaraderie here hatched from a long history of communicating for many of the posters. Keep posting - don't stay a newbie! You'll get used to the quirkiness. Join the fun.
Jan

Bullies here? You must be kidding. I occasionally comment here since only 2009, never read one being a bully. Others like Ken and HH are here much longer, all will always help, and give useful comments. Some contributors might be direct because they did not have a coffee yet, but the information they provide is always good and they mean it very well. So take it easy!
Bernd

If you live in fear of posting on a gardening forum because you feel that there are a few individuals that are more 'aggressive' than you would prefer, that is your own problem and none of us here can help you with that. Just saying.

I enjoy this community too much (and have come to hold some of the aggressive ones you are calling out, as friends) to further my contributions to your discussion.

Congratulations on creating drama where we normally have none. When posts like this arose before in the past I shied away, and clearly after this exchange I will choose to do so in the future.

When people come around labeling those they know nothing about, except a few excerpts from posts in which they were only trying to help, that to me is a much bigger problem than someone feeling bullied.

Ya know what, forget it, I'm too upset and it is becoming personal.

To everyone else, I'm sorry.

Ludi

I don't believe there are any "bullies" here. That word is being used way too much these days. Strong opinions, yes, stupid answers, yes, but no bullying. When you post a message on any forum, anywhere, you should be prepared to deal with the responses. After all, you are asking for opinions...and you can get them here. It is the variety of those opinions here at the hosta forum, from people with all ranges of experience (or lack of!) that keeps this place lively and interesting.

Regarding your comment about making posts that get no responses...you are assuming that people look at WHO posted a message rather than what the subject line reads. Interesting titles get more responses.

-Babka

Leaflover,

No one has bullied you just because they disagree with your purchasing from Big Box Stores. I believe that it is better to be forewarned about potential problems than to have to deal with them after the fact. I also believe that it is incumbent on those who know about disease and other problems to publicly point out practices that allow those problems to persist.

The Dutch have an agreement with the USDA that allows them to import Hostas that are 95% disease free. That means that 5% of what is imported is diseased. Those plants end up "on sale" at local nurseries or go to BB stores. We know that this is true.

If you want to chance that buying your plants there that's fine. But don't pretend that this only effects you and your garden. It doesn't. It allows retailers to continue to make a profit and sell to unsuspecting customers.

But then you get to buy plants for $3 or $5 on sale, instead of spending $10 or $15 to get healthy plants. Doesn't seem like a bargain to me. Just my .02.

Steve

My point was that there are lots of hosta diseases, and HVX may not be the worst of them. Yet, we continually hear the drum beat about not buying hosta anywhere other than dedicated hosta growers because of HVX. HVX is not the end of the world. The fact you can't plant another hosta in that spot would not bother most people. Not everyone wants to fill every corner of their space with hosta. Besides that, it doesn't seem to be all that common now that tissue culture is common, we have tests for it, and few people are field growing. Yet it seems like there's a HVX lecture for anyone (new or old poster) following a mention of any source other than the dedicated hosta grower.

We're starting another hosta season. Pretty soon, all the newbies will be asking those same old questions. How do I plant it? What's the name of this one? What's wrong with this?

I'd like us to tone down the HVX lectures to them, especially the "piling on". Maybe we could keep it to one lecture per posting.

bk

I mostly lurk, but I do occasionally post here. I love this forum. I usually sense the twinkle in the eye of some of the experts here. I laugh at the humor which is abundant. I learn an incredible amount and yet, I am still a newbie after three or four years (before Papou left us). I can't ID most of my hosta by memory (except for Liberty and June). The only labels that have survived are in the front yard since the mongrel horde have destroyed any in the back, along with not a few hosta and other plants. Still, I try and I often choose new ones from pictures posted here.

I, for one, am thankful for this forum and grateful to every single one of the regulars here. I am definitely an addict at this point and very fond of my enablers! ;)

Now, off to write down some of the ones you all have posted, so I can place an order while I am on spring break this week. Yippee

Leaflover,
You are right about the "aggressive ones," but there are very few. I realize that I am generalizing, but those few never recognize themselves. They are indignantly looking around wondering who you could possibly be talking about.(and blasting you)

Most who post here are extremely helpful, and usually entertaining.

Personally, I think "Drama Queen" would be a great name for a hosta.

OOH! I like that!

bk

Ha ha, Alttara Scheer has a Hosta named 'Drama Queen'...It's in the Hosta Library.

Don B.

Thank heaven this forum has the folks with a lifetime of hosta expertise, having answered newbie questions for a lifetime, yet who are still willing to share their knowledge with us, and others who are similarly interested in hosta, ALL hosta, and all hostaholics as well.

Most forums that I frequent have some basic protocol or etiquette suggested as appropriate for newcomers. Such as reviewing FAQs, getting up to speed with the rhythm of the posting, the intellectual level of the questions/answers, and to find out if there already exists the answer to your question.

Plus, if someone goes to a party where everyone is chatting in small groups or "threads", then it might be polite to listen in on a few topics before standing there in the middle of the room hollering out a question asked/answered numerous times....even a cursory search gives ample discussion of the presence of HVX in certain quarters .....

I mean, if we drive off all the folks able to give lucid responses to our questions, will we be milling around each lost in our own question marks?

But the generalized remarks are really sad to see here, because we are civilized and adult forum members who behave usually exactly as Ludisia (Ludi to his friends)described.

Incidentally, take a look at the picture of Hosta 'Drama Queen'. Registered in 2011 by Chick Wasitis of Bridgewood Gardens. Listed in both the Hosta Library and MyHostas.be .....very helpful sources of information which folks on our forum are quick to point out to those interested, as great place to spend to time exploring.

Hope you enjoy the hosta you requested. It has a very descriptive name.

Look, I ca't even tell you who the people are who are forever giving the HVX lectures. But all of us here this time of year have heard them...over and over and over...

We don't need to suck up to anyone or denigrate anyone to make the point.

I enjoy the smart mouths, the dry humor, the knowledge, the willingness to help, etc. of the guys who spend/have spent a lot of time doing hosta. That doesn't mean I want an HVX lecture everytime I say Monrovia.

Some seem to imply this is heresy. It's not. It really is a healthy thing to tell people when you think they've crossed some line.

Is there really (including Ludi) anyone on the forum this week that needs another HVX lecture? It's gotten to the point that I think the lecture is the punishment for buying from anyone except the blessed few. It ceased to be informational and educational a long time ago.

That's my point.

bk

I lurk mostly, comment sometimes. I love the forums. I love hearing what experienced growers in such disparate parts of the world have to say about their experiences with specific varieties or growers or conditions.
I'd hate that people who know more than I do would be silenced because of that knowledge.
My only complaint? I'm in an internet deadzone and cannot receive the luscious pictures so many of you post on my low speed internet.
Ludisia, your post was spot on.
Leaflover, just join in the fun. It's only hosta, after all, and hostas are only plants.
I say post on, please, everyone.And those who grow and sell professionally, please continue to be so generous with your knowledge. Because I have never seen a representative from a box store here doing that.

bk, I understand your perspective, don't agree with all of it , but I understand.

-The AHS continues to pour $$$ into research and education about HVX.

-Speakers like Chris continue to be asked to speak on HVX at national and regional conventions.

-I go on garden tours (predominantly hosta) and see HVX in gardens of people that are not familiar with what it was. And hear comments on the tour bus of experienced gardeners that don't know what it is.

-HVX continues to be spotted in garden stores, box stores, and seasonal garden shops.

-There are many lurkers here (new and old) that are not sure what HVX is, how they got it, and what to do about it.

-There will be current posters that will post a pic wondering if this is HVX, because they are unsure what it looks like.

-Cherish as you say "the blessed few" who sell hosta and understand HVX, their numbers are getting fewer and fewer.

Paul

Thank you BK. Well said.

I understand the seriousness of HVX. Having said that, when I see it being discussed, I scroll on by. Sorry everyone, but I am here for the beautiful pictures. I admit it. I am shallow.

The lectures don't really concern me. What did stop me in my tracks (going back to where this all started) was the poster implying that the employees of big box stores and local garden centers are "stupid" That didn't strike me as too warm and fuzzy. I am pretty sure when the original poster finished sharing her "knowledge", no one was smiling and thanking her.

Just because someone does not share your passion, it does not follow that they are "stupid". If I were a high school or college student working at a big box store, hostas would not be on the list of things I care about.

Trust me, if I were a high school or college student, I wouldn't be sitting here reading about hostas.

Jamie 81 , and others have some very good points and as far as hosta virus goes this posting is started a stupid three day fight and we are actually here to have fun. I do think the new hosta lovers should be aware of the virus but until they ask again , It seems useless for all us to fight about it.. If they want to plant them in your own garden and not share, it will be like a learning curb we and our children had to learn making some bad choices and learning from them and not doing them again. We are here for knowledge . fun and exchange our pictures and learn learn learn. I sure have gotot loads of usefull information and thank you all . Now lets have fun gardening
Faye

This post was edited by almosthooked on Mon, Mar 25, 13 at 12:06