What Other Orchid Forums Are There and How Does OB Compare?

[My Green Pets]

I am aware of a couple other orchid forums like Slippertalk and rv-orchidworks, simply because they show up in internet search engine results.

I could be wrong, but I feel that the OB has an overwhelming percentage of transient lurkers or one-hit wonders, and a very small number of active members. It feels very much like an 'ask a question and leave' type place.

Are there other boards that have more loyal members, a stronger 'community' feel, perhaps? What other orchid forums do you frequent? What's the difference in ambiance you feel?

[AnonYMouse]

I feel that OB is the least clique-ee. I also prefer the format here.

I'm a member in several message boards but only participate here. They are a resource, a couple are more specialized. The members do seem more familiar with each other and even limit their interaction with noobs (not all the members but yeah, it happens).

I don't notice that OB has more transients, seems proportional. OB has more traffic, stands to reason that there are more individual lurkers and casual posters.

[Polarizeme]

I'll have to agree with the previous comments. Some of the other boards I've been on are not nearly as friendly. Some are very snobbish. I like the culture here.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Forums I have joined:

Orchidgeeks
TheOrchidSource
rv-orchidworks
Orchidsforum
Slippertalk
Orchidboard

I probably participate most in Orchidboard, Orchidgeeks, and rv-orchidworks. Fair number of newbies and experienced growers on these sites. It's not that one site is "good" vs. the others "bad", but they all have their own ways of operating, rules, and communities.

[Tschimm]

I also participate most on OB.
The biggest advantage here are the well organized sub forums.

[Gravelsack]

When looking for an orchid forum, I chose this one because it seemed the most active and pages from the site kept popping up in Google searches. I figured it must be the place to be.

[Orchid Whisperer]

To follow up on my earlier post I will add that one forum seems to delete any post that even mentions outside orchid forums. The same forum has been known to edit my "private messages" sent to other members. I don't feel like divulging the culprit on the open forum, but if you need to know, send me a PM.

[PaphMadMan]

Some forums may not even let you mention outside vendors etc. But to be fair, if they are operated by an orchid business that is probably a necessary precaution. If they let anything uncomplimentary or untrue get by they could have problems.

Personally, I feel the best sense of 'community' at Slippertalk, but that may be due to the narrower focus close to my interests. Still plenty of non-slipper photos and information there. Though highly opinionated fertilizer discussions can tend to take over almost any thread. <yawn>

After that, Orchidboard seems to have the largest group of participants that actually have something to say, and very good diversity of interests, without the tendency to exclude "outsiders" I see in some forums.

Orchidgeeks and rv-orchidworks are the others I usually check every day.

I'd also be interested to hear any suggestions on other horticultural forums worth checking out, almost any topic.

[Leafmite]

I belong to Orchid geeks and RV-Orchidworks, too. They both have rules that must be followed but the rules work for them and I don't really mind them that much. I haven't really posted in a while on the RV forum (though I do occasionally read the posts) but I am starting an orchid project on Orchid geeks.

[emg53]

I read several orchid boards but OB is my favorite. When I first started growing orchids I was using a general gardening board and going to their orchid board. There was so much disagreement and the people weren't very nice about it. It was very discouraging as I knew nothing about orchids. Then I found OB and I got hooked. I have learned so much here. Most posters agree with each other and when they don't they do so politely. I see very few nasty remarks or negative posts. OB has so many knowledgeable people who take their time to answer everyone's questions. I think it's a great community.