As far as I can tell, there is no experience level requirement to be a member of this forum. The other current posts are discussing which Nepenthes are at Lowes – not the most advanced discussion, but enjoyable for the people participating. Catalani writes in rule #2 “Get off your butt and research” -not a good way to look at something that is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. For the new Nepenthes growers, posting their question here IS the research. A hobby shouldn’t feel like a homework assignment. If someone doesn’t want to answer the basic questions over and over again, they are not obligated to, even if they have the knowledge. It takes the same amount of energy to just give the information as it takes to tell someone that a question has already been answered. Everyone has to start somewhere. I once had no Nepenthes knowledge, and I am so thankful for all of the information given to me by other growers. Much of the discussion on this forum is really not readily available – like Latin pronunciation. Often a species will be labeled “highland” but will grow happily in either highland or lowland conditions and it is discussion with other growers that allows this information to be shared.
We sell Nepenthes and Sarracenia at the local plant shows and have heard every stupid question imaginable. People have actually fought with me about MY plants. Example: the customer points to the pitcher and asks me “This is a pretty flower, how often does it flower?” We have to start our explanations at the beginning every time. Sometimes it’s just not worth it because the customer refuses our knowledge. When someone asks a question we answer in the most direct way possible. I have answered the same questions close to a hundred times a day at a plant sale - for years! When the person asking the question really wants to know the answer, it’s exciting for me too, because I get to see their discovery process. It is very satisfying when a customer we introduced to these plants comes back to us and says “… my Nepenthes has taken over my patio, it’s so happy.”. We have watched people become addicted.
There is a part of me that loves the “rules” that Catalani wrote, but if I was just starting out, I would have been turned off. When I was a newbie, I was exposed to so many growers who were leaps and bounds more advanced than I was at the time. I absorbed as much as I could, though most of it went right over my head. By the way, age has nothing to do with knowledge. Some of the younger enthusiasts I have met are more experienced and up to date than the old timers. Young and inexperienced or old and senile… this forum is open to all!
Michelle – 22 years old, Co-Owner of Sunbelle Exotics, Inc.