Where to post and the asterix and reply to a * question.

Possibly I'm in the wrong place because this is not a garden question but I am a beginner in this forum. So here goes.
As a non subscriber I note that I can't post or reply in the forums marked with a *. However I also note that in at least one of the discussion groups so marked called "Ask a gardener *" many if not all questions remain unanswered. My apologies to the web host for pointing this out, knowing you need funding to run the site, but as there is obviously no one employed to answer the questions in "Ask a gardener*" there is a much better chance to get a reply in this group simply because there are more people who can reply, because both subscribed members and non subscribed members can offer help here. I'm sure its our hosts intention that subscribed members should get a paid for service (superior) but maybe you need to take a closer look. This is not intended to be a complaint as I don't pay and am delighted with your site.

Anyway
rosa2013- If you happen by here I think the answer to your dying plant mentioned in the Ask a gardener forum may be that you have grubs of the Vine Weevil Beetle in your compost. They are rarely seen on the surface and the adults are strictly nocturnal. There is much info on the web.
Saying that I spent a fortune on vine weevil killer (a chemical) with limited success for a number of years only to find that a biological control species nematode's that are easily purchased in the UK (that looked like it would do nothing) killed every vine weevil in my vicinity and after two treatments I have never seen one since. I am sure the infestation started when I bought a new plant.

The Ask a Gardener is a place so for Dave's Garden to receive questions for their newsletter they mail out once in awhile.

From the top of the forum:

david2000 ~ In addition to what Doug9345 said, they also mention (not an exact quote) that it's not the place to post your most urgent questions since there's no guarantee your question will be answered or posted in the Saturday newsletter.

That's kind of you, though, to try to help out rosa2013.

I know what you mean David re the vine weevils, they are like UK buses, never catch one for ages then before you know it, they come along by the dozens, anyway, keep a look out for the adult beetle (black, has little feelers and can scurry along quite fast, crush them under foot if found but I suspect if you do see an adult, they have already laid the grubs that live in the roots of our plants, I tried several things too when trying to rid the potting soil of these grubs and found the best results were by using the nematodes early in the season.

With regards to the Dave's Garden site, IF I were you and obviously keen on gardening with helpful hints and tips to offer others, it would be worth your while trying to become a member, ask for a birthday or Christmas gift of membership, there are several forums I'm sure you would love to join in the discussion's with others.
Good luck and kind regards. WeeNel.

Well I think such polite input is always welcome, and did give folks a chance to guide you in the right direction, and explain the site a bit. Even though you can't post without a membership, you can read the discussions and great advice on those other forums.

I have nothing to add on the questions you asked, but welcome to Dave's!

david 2000, You might also try sending the poster in question (rosa2013) a Dmail...