Getting a headache using the navigation bars since this post is sized so large - harkens back to yesteryear using micro-fiche. That being said, let me add that humor and wit may well assuage the underlying message. I lurk and learn here because I'm simply a gardener, or better yet, simply someone who gardens. What I know I know from reading, asking, or experimenting. Every new season is another opportunity to get things "right" given the confines of my property and the idea as to how I wish to use it, the set of my house which is no doubt the real controlling element, the hardscape, garden areas, existing large trees, focal points, etc. After almost a year of following these posts and going back through those of interest to me, I accept the fact that presenting my situation to any 5 landscaping pros would get me 6 ways it's not someone's idea of good. I agree that good planning should be the first principle; taking into account there is no substitute for taste and knowledge as well as being aware the world offers a wide range of different conditions and materials with which to work. Also wide ranging is one's ability to cope with both the practical and financial implications of planning even a simple garden. I see no fault in prompting or pushing someone in a certain direction for plant selections or regional growing conditions. I also see no fault in expecting a poster to provide pertinent information: a photo when possible, location, exposure, budget, likes, dislikes, maintenance issues. I do have pause with some of the seemingly unncessary put-offs or downs. Why does one bother to repond to a post in a manner that serves no purpose other than to put one in their place? What has been referred to in previous posts as "abstract snobbery" might not have its intended effect in helping someone think outside the box, or to identify the 800 lb. gorilla, or the misplaced nose on the Pekingese. No offense to anyone as these were interesting think pieces, but someone not "getting it" should not be relegated to the dunce corner.

Soilent Green, I agree with about want lists having an updated date on it. It is very helpful to know when looking at a list. I have one on my trade page and change the date as I update my trade page for trading, which I usually don't start doing until then end of October every year. At the same time, I continue to add seeds to my list as I have them available for the upcoming year, but leave the old updated date until I am ready to trade. That doesn't stop people from emailing me for trades with a date that is 6 months or more old that states when the trade list was updated. As for wasting time pursing trades with people that are no longer trading or interested in trading, there are some members that do not like to be "cold emailed" from other members to do trades, especially with members that are new or fairly new to the seed exchange, or "cold emails" for trades from members that they have never traded with. They may still have trade lists posted that are old because they will have the same seeds available every year and they just leave the list posted and when they are ready to trade again, they post on the seed exchange about trading. I've been a GW member and trading seeds for more than 7 years now, and I, personally, don't "cold email" members for trades unless they are members that I have traded with in the past, trade with frequently every year, or a member that I trade specific seeds with every year and I let them know in advance of posting for trades and BEAP seeds on the forum, what seeds I have specific for them and what I'm looking for. As for GW deleting members have not be active in the last 2 years, that is not a good idea. GW has various forums on the site, and just because someone is not actively posting on the seed exchange forum, doesn't mean they don't post and participate in many of the other forums on GW. Some members just to private trades between certain members only and they leave a trade and want list posted for those specific members to see. Some people have their trade and want list posted and only do round robin trades, but leave that list posted for those on the round robin exchanges to see and use. And yes, there are some members that have trade and want lists still posted that have been banned by GW, have passed away and just are not on GW anymore. Expecting GW to try and figure out what members are and are not active on the seed exchange forum but are posting on other forums on the site, vs don't post at all, is really just a waste of time on their part. There are far to many members on GW and the time it would take is nothing more than a waste of time on their part. I suggest that if you have been wasting time trying to trade with people by sending "cold emails" to them, that you just work with the members that post on the seed exchange with trade offers, BEAP/SASBE offers and if you have seeds for trade on your own trade page, then post on the seed exchange yourself with the seeds you have to trade and what you are looking for. Experience has shown me that the easiest way to trade seeds is to use the seed exchange forum and the posts on the seed exchange form itself and to post myself with offers and what I'm looking for. There is always room for improvement on any site. And Welcome to the wacky world of seed trading. Fran

Jodik says: The coir might look dry on top, but down in the center of the pot, it could be quite moisture-laden! I have found it helpful to insert little wooden skewers carefully into the soil to about root level, and leave them there... I take them out and press them against my cheek to test for dampness... if they feel at all damp, I wait to water... but if the skewer comes out dry, it's time to water. My coir is 4" deep in a closed pot. I put the skewer to the bottom of the pot. When I take it out how many inches of bone dry top "soil" should there be before it's time to water again? Is it 1", 2" or 4"? I just went 10 days without water and only 1" of the top was dry so am I supposed to water this direct sun pot once every two weeks or so to avoid over watering, really? And how much water for my 6" closed pot? I had been watering 1 1/2 cup or so once a week and my plant was fine but I'm now worried that was too much so I'm re-evaluating. I know what conventional wisdom says (water deep, not shallow) but that advice doesn't seem to apply to my situation. Also how long should it be before I see new leaf growth in the summer time (first season outside)? My 18 month old Red Lion so far has only grown new leaves once a year. At potting and at dormancy end.

Maybe we can repost this with a note NOT to reply that way it stays at the top? Is there a way we can sticky this?