Plant ID
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:19 am
Hi Everybody,
Just a few suggestions for those who like to put up their plants on the CactiForum for what will hopefully be correct indentification by other members.
1. Obviously a photograph is essential, two if possible. One from a side angle and one from overhead. Take the photograph as close as possible to the plant, but ensure all of the plant is in the picture.
2. Not always possible I know, but a picture of the flower will sometimes make all the difference to whether your plant can be identified or not. I appreciate that sometimes it will be the wrong time of the year, or the plant has not yet flowered for you.
3. Try to give an indication of the size of the plant. This does not have to be done with a micrometer, even a guess (about 5in. diameter, 4 in. high) is better than nothing.
4. Please be patient. Although nothing may appear on the Forum for a while, there are probably several members beavering away in the background, attempting to come up with an answer for you.
5. Why are there sometimes several different answers for the same plant? Well members will always give it their best shot as to the ID of the plant, but many cacti closely resemble one another. If there are two or three different opinions, more than likely one of those will be correct, and it is then down to the owner of the plant to sift through the options given using the appropriate material, (the web, books, or any other information available to them) to come up with their own conclusions as to an ID. After all they have the major advantage of having the plant in front of them.
6. We have earned a good reputation as a helpful, knowledgeable and courteous group of enthusiasts (something that is not true about all websites) Let's keep it that way and continue to share our knowledge and enthusiasm.
Just a few suggestions for those who like to put up their plants on the CactiForum for what will hopefully be correct indentification by other members.
1. Obviously a photograph is essential, two if possible. One from a side angle and one from overhead. Take the photograph as close as possible to the plant, but ensure all of the plant is in the picture.
2. Not always possible I know, but a picture of the flower will sometimes make all the difference to whether your plant can be identified or not. I appreciate that sometimes it will be the wrong time of the year, or the plant has not yet flowered for you.
3. Try to give an indication of the size of the plant. This does not have to be done with a micrometer, even a guess (about 5in. diameter, 4 in. high) is better than nothing.
4. Please be patient. Although nothing may appear on the Forum for a while, there are probably several members beavering away in the background, attempting to come up with an answer for you.
5. Why are there sometimes several different answers for the same plant? Well members will always give it their best shot as to the ID of the plant, but many cacti closely resemble one another. If there are two or three different opinions, more than likely one of those will be correct, and it is then down to the owner of the plant to sift through the options given using the appropriate material, (the web, books, or any other information available to them) to come up with their own conclusions as to an ID. After all they have the major advantage of having the plant in front of them.
6. We have earned a good reputation as a helpful, knowledgeable and courteous group of enthusiasts (something that is not true about all websites) Let's keep it that way and continue to share our knowledge and enthusiasm.