does this forum include cyclamen or is there another forum where I can post a question? I think here is as fine as anyplace to cover them in the FAQ. or to ask about them. For the time being I just noted/added cyclamen at the bottom of the outline. I've also got crinum so thanks for the note about crinum being included in the amaryllis forum. Before doing a search on Crinum, all I knew was that they were not hardy here. That was when I saw they were of the Amaryllidaceae family, thus thought The Amaryllis Forum would be better off handling the FAQ (if anyone volunteers and they agree to it), and to field questions there. As usual though, anyone can ask about anything they want at any forum...within reason of course...like not at Home Decorating or something...lol. Glad to see the section on critters! I figure you can provide a lot of good input on that, especially if 'your' Sun Disc daffodils come up and bloom in some strange places next spring. If ornamental Allium is refered to the Allium-forum then their introduction needs to be changed. At least the last time I looked the forum was described to be for growing onions and garlic. Their forum blurb reads: This forum is for the discussion of plants of the genus Allium, such as onions, garlic, leeks, shallots & scallions. I agree, that it would best be changed to include Ornamental Allium/Flowering Onions. I don't think that any bulb must be asked about on any one 'specific' forum as there are sometimes numerous forums where one can find the answers....for example, if lily questions don't get needed replies at The Lily Forum, it is fine to ask here. Canna are sometimes asked about here, though there is a Canna Forum, so members here can provide info but also suggest that more info can be found at The Canna Forum. In doing a search here on Canna I see there are 122 threads, so will touch on them as well in the FAQ, with reference then to the Canna Forum and the great Canna FAQ there. And with the tulips I think it is important to have one (sub?)section for garden hybrids and another section for botanical tulips. I agree and tulips will be rather extensive, sort of like the daffodils, since they are asked about so much. Then there are the tulips that are more like perennials than annuals. This FAQ is turning out to be quite a beast, but 'should' end up pretty good with everyone's input.

While I think that the "FAQ" as outlined by swanoir was presented tongue in cheek ('the humus'), many of the subsequent comments and/or links to threads that could/should be included in a FAQ were presented in a more serious tone. And maybe they do make sense as a foundation to a real LD forum FAQ. But I've also sensed something else in these comments that may contribute to the apparent lack of communication between new posters seeking advice and those that regularly frequent this forum and offer it. And that is that the long checklist provided by Miss R must be (or should be) answered in detail before posting. Well, of course not! But it is definitely something worth reviewing and giving some thought to. This checklist, or something very similar, is what most designers utilize when first meeting with a prospective client. It gives them a feeling for what the client wants to do with the property, how they intend to use it, what they hope to get out of it and how much effort (time/$$) are they are intending to put into it. Hopefully, reviewing an outline or checklist such as this could help to refine and focus some of those blank slate questions and even educate those new posters totally unfamiliar with the process the degree of complexity, the number of variables and exactly what is involved in the formulation of a landscape design. Even DIY landscape texts intended for the homeowner with no previous design or landscaping experience offer similar checklists to get one started thinking about the process. Obviously, this is overkill for those questions that are more issue-specific, but I think very appropriate for those that are much broader and far less focused.

JUST MY OPINION... I am not really in favor of leaving someone a favorable comment simply because they followed through in sending an SASBE in order to get seeds. To me, it's like praising someone for coming to the dinner table and eating my food. And if we leave positive feedback for those who send out their SASBE requests, then shouldn't it follow that we leave negative feedback for someone who doesn't follow through? If that was the case, I'd be leaving negative feedback for dozens of people, as I'm sure anyone who has offered seeds for SASBE would as well. Though it's frustrating to hold seeds for someone who doesn't follow through, I don't really think it's an important enough of a matter to leave negative comments over. The whole concept of posting comments regarding SASBEs has other drawbacks. Last spring I offered a lot of seeds for SASBE, and one in particular stuck out. When I had looked at the person's want list, I saw she was looking for hardy geraniums. I found a few odds and ends, small amounts of several varieties, so I packaged them separately and included them as well thinking she'd be happy with the additional surpise. I was quite taken aback when she emailed me after receiving the SASBE and told me that I needed to read the FAQs, that "10 or 12 seeds was not considered a sufficient amount of seeds" and she would be leaving me negative feedback. I was stunned. Fortunately for her, she didn't leave the comments, or I would have responded with words including "ignorant", "selfish", and "ungrateful"... (Can you tell I'm still a tad steamed, LOL...) I think the sample comments for negative reviews are very good ones--Jack Webb of Dragnet would be happy with the "Just the facts, Maam" attitude. However, there are a few gray areas I am wondering about. What do you suggest regarding feedback if the trader sends mismarked seeds (ie, agastache instead of lavender); unviable seeds (such as sunflower seeds that were flat, white, and bendy, obviously underdeveloped); or a trader who waits until he/she has received the other person's seeds to tell them that he/she is out of several of the seeds they wanted and that they need to pick substitutes. I've always handled these matters privately. I know honest mistakes happen as in the first two cases--but the third example has happened to me a few times now (twice with the same trader--not going to trade with her again) and is starting to bother me as I feel it may be a bait and switch tactic. Still I'm not sure I'm comfortable about leaving negative feedback even in that situation. I'm sure it sounds as though I am focusing on the bad side of trading/SASBEs, which I am, but it's only because good trades and positive feedback are pretty self-evident. Kate

Well, I suppose the regular forum users would become pretty familiar with the content and could refer others to the appropriate place. I imagine it being used for things like dealing with particular pests/diseases with homemade remedies etc. And if it really turns out to be an unused addition I'll just ask Spike to remove it.