Beware of "caresheets"

[Precarious]

Just a heads up.

I'm not about to read all of them, or even one in its entirety. I just don't have the time. But what I read in the Orchid caresheet was completely WRONG.

I'm not pointing this out to complain. I'm not doing it to single anyone out.

I'm pointing this out to let everyone know that section is going to lead to more bad info so long as people who don't know what they're talking about are allowed to write them. Follow those instructions and get back to me on how many viable ooths you get. If you see one written by someone you have never seen selling nymphs of that species that they bred themselves then read on at your own risk.

That is my message to you.

Don't shoot the messenger.

 

[azn567]

Is it the part about not feeding the males for several weeks if kept cool, and that puking is okay?

(I barely skimmed over the orchid caresheet)

 

[happy1892]

Parts of the caresheet that do not seem good

"males don't mind being handled, and like to sit flat on a finger

a good method is to, in the late afternoon idealy, put the male on your finger then gently nudge him onto the tip of the females wings"

Mantises do seem to get stressed by handling. If the male is scared by being handled (moved around) and then put on a female like that he might not know that he is on the female.

"the ooths of this species should not be kept higher than 80 degrees"

Is this true? Why?

 

[Precarious]

Is it the part about not feeding the males for several weeks if kept cool, and that puking is okay?

(I barely skimmed over the orchid caresheet)

Parts of the caresheet that do not seem good

Take your pick. I was more concerned about keeping the males "60-65 degrees". That will kill them. Or saying females only need 5 flies a day, and can't eat meal worms or roaches. Complete BUNK! Avoid crickets. That's it. And good luck keeping a female fed well enough to produce fertile ooths. That's the real challenge. You certainly can't do it on the diet suggested. Yet the caresheet says not to overfeed the females. What a joke.

I'm not going to dissect all the misinformation. Anyone that knows anything about Orchids will know it was written by someone who doesn't, but enjoys pretending they do.

That's enough out of me.

 

[scytheclaw]

i think instead of one set care sheet why not dedicate a thread in the care section to certain desirable spieces where different keepers opinions and keeping experiences can form the thread so the viewer can dictate the information they want to take from it to keep their own animals instead of just one standard approach(i remember the idolomantis consolidation thread that a number of keepers took part in and i thought that was really helpful and informative as it was not one opinion regurgitated all over again)

ive seen large numbers of species going out of culture,i can't help thinking to myself if certain information was shared in such settings it would beneficial to everyone in the long run instead of relying on certain breeders keeping the cultures alive solely

 

[Precarious]

i think instead of one set care sheet why not dedicate a thread in the care section to certain desirable spieces where different keepers opinions and keeping experiences can form the thread so the viewer can dictate the information they want to take from it to keep their own animals instead of just one standard approach(i remember the idolomantis consolidation thread that a number of keepers took part in and i thought that was really helpful and informative as it was not one opinion regurgitated all over again)


ive seen large numbers of species going out of culture,i can't help thinking to myself if certain information was shared in such settings it would beneficial to everyone in the long run instead of relying on certain breeders keeping the cultures alive solely

From what I gather, the caresheet section should be people that really know their stuff sharing information that is accepted fact. That's how Idolo Consolidated started. Then you could add your specific info in the comments. That seems reasonable. But members then used it as a platform to say "hey, look at these 10 pictures of mine", etc.

I too am concerned about species falling out of culture. I'm keeping several species going just because no one else seems capable. I think the biggest issue is bad advice given by people pretending to be an authority. Drives me nuts.

You people know who you are! You are ruining the hobby!

 

[jamurfjr]

I do appreciate the concern. The care sheets are and will always be a work in progress. Albeit, the purpose is not to misinform. Feel free to private message agent A or myself with your constructive criticisms and/or contributions, and we'll do our best to remedy the wrongs.

 

[jamurfjr]

All forum members are welcome—encouraged, actually—to contribute to the CS forum. Mods are only a PM away and will incorporate your thoughts.

Forum description and rules: http://mantidforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=30114 .

 

[Precarious]

I do appreciate the concern. The care sheets are and will always be a work in progress. Albeit, the purpose is not to misinform. Feel free to private message agent A or myself with your constructive criticisms and/or contributions, and we'll do our best to remedy the wrongs.

The best way to remedy the wrongs is to only allow someone with experience to write them. No caresheet at all is better than that mess of bad advice.

I already contribute with my photos and videos, and by breeding and selling to the community. I don't have the time to clean up that mess. Just delete it and start over.

 

[hibiscusmile]

I cant take the time to read them either, I do agree someone should write them with the knowledge of keeping them for awhile. But I thought that the instructions stated that?

 

[jamurfjr]

I cant take the time to read them either, I do agree someone should write them with the knowledge of keeping them for awhile. But I thought that the instructions stated that?

They do. The instructions also state to air grievances via pm. Oh well...

 

[patrickfraser]

I won't read them, either. I can't believe people took the time to write them, seeing as there are so many online. Go to Yen's website for good information or I like http://www.mantisonline.eu/index.php?lan=en&show=species&anchor=&time=1374546174&content=a:2:{s:7:%22subshow%22;s:15:%22species_mantids%22;s:10:%22level_left%22;s:3:%22all%22;}

 

[ScienceGirl]

:hammer:

Well... I can at least say that more info has been added than was listed before... The care sheets that really irritate me are the ones where the poster inserts what should be included, and then only takes the time to cover a handful of them. :blink:

Precarious, perhaps you could contact the admins about posting another orchid care sheet, written by you.

I agree. How are we supposed to learn how to care for a specific species of mantis if the care sheet was written by someone who doesn't even know what they're talking about? Please everyone, leave it to the pro's. <_<

 

[ScienceGirl]

I also appreciate it when people use capitals, punctuation, proper spelling, and correct grammar. If you're going to take the time to post a "scientific" document, please make it professional. (Spellcheck wants to be your bff! :batman: ) *

* This isn't an attempt to target anyone - I appreciate and love you all! Let's hear it for the mantid keepers! :clap:

 

[Precarious]

Precarious, perhaps you could contact the admins about posting another orchid care sheet, written by you.

I appreciate the request but as I stated I have limited time. As it is I barely have time to care for my pets. I put my free time into what I see as a potential career in photography. I had intended to do a few tutorials on macro photography and haven't even gotten around to that yet.

Besides, it sounds like I broke the rules by warning people not to kill their Orchids. Didn't know I had to read the rules on creating a care sheet just to skim over one.

:ban:

 

[jamurfjr]

Okay, pending review by experienced keepers, the orchid care sheet has been taken down. Can we now all return to standard operating procedure as described in the rules post(linked above for your convenience)? Thanks.

 

[ScienceGirl]

Look what I found! That takes care of two of the major issues I've seen, maybe three...

• Only those who have kept a species through one generation may post a care sheet.

• Only those able to provide the majority of information listed in the template may post a care sheet.

• Care sheets containing major grammatical, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization errors will be edited.

 

[Precarious]

Look what I found! That takes care of two of the major issues I've seen, maybe three...

• Only those who have kept a species through one generation may post a care sheet.

• Only those able to provide the majority of information listed in the template may post a care sheet.

• Care sheets containing major grammatical, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization errors will be edited.

And I'm not qualified to write one because I don't know all the other details about regional origins, etc. I guess I could just make that part up and hope some jerk doesn't point out I'm talking out my butt.

 

[ScienceGirl]

And I'm not qualified to write one because I don't know all the other details about regional origins, etc. I guess I could just make that part up and hope some jerk doesn't point out I'm talking out my butt.

XD