Speaking of PlantFiles...

...Wish we could get more folks to make comments on their plants and adding pictures as well as putting in the details. (Nice job Terry!)

I get so aggravated trying to find info on a plant and really hoped PlantFiles would grow a bit faster, sure would like to see it as the most 'complete' database. Why should we have to google when we have DG? And if I do google, can I steal the descriptions to add to PlantFiles? Do I say "According to the descriptions from ____ or ___ says this plant ...?

Do we need another big contest or have it be a necessity (must contribute to the DGPF) for becoming a subscriber maybe? I've written to many companies and people asking for permission to use their photos (and give them credit) to no avail. Wouldn't it be giving them some free publicity? Is there a secret to asking?

I'm no 'Uber' but like to contribute what I can, with what I have experienced. Wish everyone here would help to make it grow. It seems funny to me, all the great information passed on in the forums, but not added to PF. I know some of you got tired of me for pestering you to "please add it to our database", but would truely love to find all my plants in one place.

Thanks for listening to me vent ;>}

One of the most important parts of the PF that this past contest addressed was in adding details to existing entries. If every person contributed details and/or comments to just one plant each day, the PF WOULD grow much faster.

I do not believe that participating in adding information to the PF should be a requirement to being a part of this site.

Adding information to the PF does not necessitate having grown a particular plant. Researching a plant species can provide an immense amount of information that can readily be added to the PF. I didn't know much at all about peach cultivars until I started reading about them. I haven't grow a peach tree in my life, but I know a whole lot about them - their growing habits, soil preferences, how to prune them effectively and what pests are most likely to attack them. How did I learn this? I read and read and read about them.

As for photos, many times, I have taken pictures at botanical gardens, nurseries (be careful for mislabeled plants) and even other gardeners homes. Research what you have photographed and compare the pictures to existing pics on the web. If they match up, post them. If not, do more research and find out why there are discrepancies.

Does this take time? YES. Lots of time.

If you're frustrated with the growth of the PF then make contributions regularly. One plant at a time. One detail at a time. One photo at a time.

You can make a difference.

Carla, if I were to take the published info and post it, would it not be plagerism? Shouldn't the source be recognized? That was my question. I'd like to see more comments, that's what makes a plant 'real' to me, instead of just seeing the details. Like the plant descriptions from catalogs and books, they can just be copied? Also, I certainly don't want to sound like I'm an expert on anything I don't know about, I'd rather give credit to the experts!

I'm absolutely no expert. :)

One of our members states that "I do not grow this plant, " then goes on to add a comment. I think that's a great way to go about it. I'm a bull in a china shop and I just forge onward without much of a preface.

Most of the time, I have information from more than one source when I add a comment, so I just put those thoughts into my own words. I guess it depends on what you're commenting about, though. Facts are facts are facts, in my opinion. If you read on website that a particular plant cannot tolerate wet winter soil, then I don't see how that information can be copyrighted. It's a statement of fact. If you want to credit that site, though, I'm sure that would be fine. Baa has suggested to me that sticking to educational sites (universities, botanical gardens and cooperative ext. services) is far better than nurseries. The .edu sites really try to get the information right. Again, citing sources is fine.

I think the comments section can be very beneficial, too. The details are the facts and the comments are often the opinions. Sometimes folks who have experience with a plant know more about what it will or won't do given certain circumstances and the details become less "certain".

At any rate, I agree with you wholeheartedly....more people need to make an effort to give back to the community that they are a part of - in this case, DG.

Violabird,

You can definitely use information from other sources (online or books, magazines, catalogues, etc.) If you copy it verbatim, then you should give credit where it's due.

If you read several sources and combine/compile/amalgamate that information into your own words, or turn it into data you can use to check off boxes, then you don't have to cite each source you used (although you can if you want to.)

> One of our members states that "I do not grow this plant, " then goes on to add a comment. I think that's a great way to go about it.

I like that. So far I've only commented on plants that I have personally grown & will probably stick to that so as to not pass on wrong information. (or at least keep it to a minimum. LOL) It kinda bugs me when I see info that I know is wrong.

JohnT

That's what I've been doing John, just noting plants I personally grow, it's great to know we can quote other sources.

Thanks for clearing this up everyone!

JohnT - When you see something that is in error, please notify the administrators of the PF. They want to know.