How to Ask for Help

[Ray]

The discussion of “titles” and a few “help me” posts got me thinking about this, so…

Yes, we all have issues with our plants from time to time. With enough experience, we may know what to do to help, but it often isn’t a case of “if this happens, do that” as symptoms can be similar in several different ailments.

That means that if you need help for “this symptom” and give no other information, you are likely to get seemingly conflicting responses, and knowing the participants here, some “heated discussions” might ensue.

To get a better response that is likely more on the mark, describe the issue and your cultural parameters as completely as you can.

A very simple example is “my phalaenopsis has become floppy”. That can happen due to 1) underwatering, 2) suffocation that has killed to roots, preventing water uptake, or 3) a disease that has clogged the vascular bundle.

The symptoms of each might be nearly identical, but the causes are so widely disparate that nobody can be certain of their guess and recommended course of action.

If, on the other hand, you describe your cultural conditions in detail, but mention, “it’s in the same pot and moss it came in 4 years ago”, the issue and solution are far clearer.

[estación seca]

Agree it would be useful to have a sticky thread in the Beginners forum. Suggestions:

Orchid growing has a lot of variables. It's really helpful to know a few things before answering questions about plants.

• What is your question, or what problem do you have?
• What is the name of your plant, if you know it? This is often, but not always, found on the label.
• How long have you had it?
• When was it last repotted, if you know?
• What is the growing medium in the pot?
• Does the pot have drainage holes?
• Approximately where do you live? This will tell us a little about your natural climate and light.
• What are the day and night temperatures in the growing area?
• What is the relative humidity in the growing area?
• Is there any air circulation, like a fan, in the growing area?
• What kind of light is it getting?
• How are you watering it? What kind of water, and how often? How do you decide when to water?
• Are you using fertilizer? How often? What is the fertilizer? What amount of fertilizer product do you add to what amount of water?

[rbarata]

It will finish all the drama that has been happening lately ln this forum. Therefore, I agree with the above.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Agree it would be useful to have a sticky thread in the Beginners forum. Suggestions:

Excellent list. And also ------ once (or if) the beginner member has either posted enough messages in order to then have the automatic privilege setting for photos uploads, or they somehow are able to upload pics already (or able to link their external website pics) ------ they can then add 1024 x 768 pixel pics of the orchid --- as a whole - pot and all --- and pics of the problem areas. Pics combined with the text description from the list can help with the assessment.

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Agree it would be useful to have a sticky thread in the Beginners forum. Suggestions:

Orchid growing has a lot of variables. It's really helpful to know a few things before answering questions about plants.
<SNIP>

This is an excellent idea. If this or something like it is made a sticky its use should be suggested as a aid to help get good answers. We don't want beginners to be discouraged by an excessive effort.

-Keith

[Dusty Ol' Man]

When beginning a new endeavor, no matter what it is, the biggest problem comes from not knowing what to ask and/or how to ask. I have had this experience with a number of subjects. Ray's post is an excellent place to start, and ES has filled it out well. I think making this a sticky is an excellent idea.