You bet!! Just scroll through a few pages of threads and I'm sure something will turn up. Or start a new one yourself!

Is this still the premiere place for them, or is there another site that is more frequented? Thanks.

I think the majority of the collectors are exclusively on Facebook's Planet Conifer and Miniature Conifers groups. This site is mainly people who don't do Facebook and others like me who go everywhere.

I wonder why so many collectors have moved to FB? It’s unfortunate, but there must be an explanation. I miss their expertise, as least when it comes to cultivars. For instance, I just purchased Pinus x scherwinii ‘Wiethorst’, and wondering if it has any hardiness issues in z4 Wisconsin? Also, are the needles anything like Himalayan Pine, or are their closer to our native White Pine, which are very nice?

I live in what is supposed to be a Z6A but the way the world is going who knows anymore. Well, 2 years ago we had a night that got down to around -20, which has never happened here before. The Wiethorst, made it no problem. A couple of my other plants didn't fair so well. A couple were rated for even Z5. What kind of temps have you seen?

Ridiculously cold! Check out the high temp in lower right. I resigned myself to heavy plant losses, but the only plant that looks like it didnt make it is Cornus mas ‘Variegata’. I’m not 100% sure, but green is hard to find on this one. Very surprising results overall. A seedling Picea orientalis and Chamaecyparis ‘Cream Ball’ suffered the worst burn.

There are a few reasons why there are so many people who use Facebook, the primary ones are probably that the audience is huge, the software is up to date and easy to use and the posts are photo-heavy. I wish that there were a good alternative.

For example, If you were to ask those questions about P. x sw on Planet Conifer, you'd have answers, some within minutes, sometimes from those who have world wide reputations in growing and collecting conifers, others who live near you, etc. Worldwide group with almost 5000 members, many of whom live in Asia and Europe.

Wow, that is cold. I'm originally from North Dakota so I know what you're talking about. Every place I look it says this plant is a zone 4. I'm sure you would be fine if you are in a zone 4 area. I love my 2 Wiethorsts and the cones it creates are just fantastic.

Scott, is heat a bigger problem for you in western Kansas? What conifers have surprised you — either good or bad?

Sarah, thanks for the explanation. I’m not sure I can go to the dark side, but it sounds intriguing.

Heat for sure. Part of June, much of July, and a good part of August can be over 100 degrees. We are usually pretty dry so that helps, and our elevation is around 3000 feet so we do cool down in the evenings to usually in the 60s or low 70s during the summer months. I would love to try an Abies procera Blaue Hexe but unless someone gives me one, I don't like to throw away money. :) Western Kansas is much different than Eastern Kansas for sure.

I planted a Wiethorst just south of MSP at the end of September and it appears to have done ok. It hasn't started growing yet, but the needles are still green unlike a few others in yard. While not quite as cold as you got, bacyard is exposed to the N-NW and we had some howling winds this winter.

Maackia I really wish that there were a platform that approximated it. There is not just Planet Conifer, but quite a few other wonderful groups, such as a group called Plant Idents that has botanists and scholars from all over the world and you can get almost anything identified in a nanosecond. The other thing that I personally like is that no one uses aliases, and the admins of these groups are vigilant about not allowing any bad behavior. If you do decide to use it, set your privacy as tight as possible and divulge as little personal information as you can. Do not use your actual birthdate, for example. You only need two pieces of info for identify theft and DOB is one of them.

I really hate what they have done re: privacy and data sharing though, which is why if a good alternative opened up it would make me very happy.

Sara , about FB - - are the conversations long lasting ? or are they fleeting & not searchable

that was my impression ,,,, also here , I have like 50 posts saved for me to review at will

ron

It depends. Some go on and on. Some are quick. You should try it and see if you like it. It is what you make it. I don't have the app on my phone, I don't have it bookmarked, I don't get notifications. I go there when I feel like it. And I post virtually nothing personal. I manage pages for our business, the ACS and a few other plant-related orgs. The Europeans in Planet Conifer are great - Edwin Smits and a host of other Dutchmen, many Brits, many Eastern Europeans.

Problems mentioned right here on this thread would tend to indicate your dislike is not irrational.

I wish this forum was more searchable. I used to be able to search better in google using "site:gardenweb.com" but that's not working any more. THere were so many great threads in the day, and I can't find any of them. I guess I'll start a new thread.