Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Seedy Subjects! => Seed Exchange => Topic started by: johnw on October 23, 2011, 05:29:10 PM
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I want to send any seeds of Puya mirabilis into the seedex. However my plant has just finished flowering, actually the top flower - the rest finished a week ago. Does anyone know how long the seeds take to ripen. If it takes a month or more I could send to any interested forumists instead?
johnw
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Seedlists are due to be posted today.
When will the list be online?
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You already know more than I do, Diane! ???
I expect that the Web Team will be told at the SRGC AGM on Saturday when the list for browsing and the online ordering can go live. I certainly hope that is the case!
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Maggi,
It's up top in your first message, quoting Stuart: Lists should be posted out about 10th November
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Maggi,
It's up top in your first message, quoting Stuart: Lists should be posted out about 10th November
Yes, so it is...... but I like to see the whites of the eyes before I get excited.... I've been caught out before :-X
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Mine arrived in this mornings post
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So did mine. Woohoow :D :D
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Good news, I'm really curious.
Any idea when the online list is ready?
And of course I hope that soon afterwards the online ordering will be ready too.
A lot of thanks to everyone who helps in the exchange.
Rob
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Mine's just plopped through the letterbox too. Lot's of scratching of head now!
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I have also received the seedlist, what a surprise, thank you so much.I'll have fun the whole day looking up what to order.
Kind regards Lotte
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We hope to have the online list and ordering "live" as soon as possible. I will announce here when that happens.
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Mine arrived in this mornings post
Something nice to look forward to then :) I''l be watching for the postman tomorrow.
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Works like a charm...many thanks to the website-team!!
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Works like a charm...many thanks to the website-team!!
How did you decide what to order sooooooooo quickly. I'm still looking at page 1? ;D
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Works like a charm...many thanks to the website-team!!
How did you decide what to order sooooooooo quickly. I'm still looking at page 1? ;D
I have a very long wishlist....compare the wishlist to the seedlist and ready ;) ;)
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Hello Maggi, i've tried to login with my membership number and password you send me last year without any success. the website give an error: Sorry, the membership number or password you provided were not valid or your account may not yet have been activated.
I also tried to reactivate my account and off course it claims the number is already activated.
Can you please take a look with this number :11882
thanks a lot
Yann
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Mine's done, now for the long wait.
Thanks to everyone involved ;D
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Works like a charm...many thanks to the website-team!!
How did you decide what to order sooooooooo quickly. I'm still looking at page 1? ;D
I have a very long wishlist....compare the wishlist to the seedlist and ready ;) ;)
Ah! I see. It's all about organisation, not one of my strong points ;D
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Hello Maggi, i've tried to login with my membership number and password you send me last year without any success. the website give an error: Sorry, the membership number or password you provided were not valid or your account may not yet have been activated.
I also tried to reactivate my account and off course it claims the number is already activated.
Can you please take a look with this number :11882
thanks a lot
Yann
Yann, I will just check what is showing for you but you must re-register every year.
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That's what i try, using uppercase, lowercase with my surname, but seems it doesn't worK.
I remembered last you also had to modify something on my profil in order to make it works.
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But, did you use this years Password??
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Yann, have you seen my private message to you?
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I've moved the comments and questions away from the main page to leave that clear for notices.
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yes, i've answered with the paypal transcation ID
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Work done for me too :D Hope all is ok ::) Last year my order was not well enregistred, I forgot to do something in fact ???
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Work done for me too :D Hope all is ok ::) Last year my order was not well enregistred, I forgot to do something in fact ???
All done perfectly this year, Nicole!
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Thank you Maggi ;D I have already been confirmed by email... I was a little anxious ;D
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When you have completely finished your seed order.....
If an email comes through after you have completed the order then that is what is required. If you think you have completed the process and no email has arrived..... first, check your spam filter to be surethe email is not caught there. If you find no email there, return to the seed system and check.... you will likely discover that there is still a step for you to follow to fully complete the process.... keep an eye on the steps and instructions on screen as you go through the process.
It is all quite simple if the procedures are followed, as quite a number of you have already successfully proved today!
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Interesting. Of the 13 packets I donated and with an advance notification list by email to S. Pawley on 26th of Oct ober and an acknowlegement of receipt not a single one appears on the list! :-X
johnw
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John, Stuart's ways are a mystery to many.... what can I say? :-[
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Oh dear, will the seeds I'm after all be gone by the time I get my request in? I only have a debit card so it's paper list and a cheque for me. I found it so easy to do the AGS one online last year as they do accept debit cards.
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Roma, sadly it is too costly for the SRGC to set up a capacity to accept debit card payments.
The Club is very careful to minimise costs and work within budgets.
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A reminder that our sister society across the Atlantic has a super facility on their website, which may be very useful when making seed choices.... it is a link to the Seedlist Handbook:
http://rockgardener.com/harkness/seedlist.cfm 8)
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I paid for my order with Visa Debit on line last night and received confirmation. I also used the card last year without any problem. I don't recall seeing the Maestro symbol however so it presumably depends which type of card you use.
Paul Ranson
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This is the first time for me to participate to seed exchange, and I'm very excited. So many seeds to choose from!! :) I have a question about surplus seeds: do I need to order them at the same time now, or can I order them later? Will there be a smaller list of seeds left for the surplus ordering?
Another question is that I don't quite understand who needs to send stamped addressed envelope? I don't think it is possible for me (from Finland).
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I paid for my order with Visa Debit on line last night and received confirmation. I also used the card last year without any problem. I don't recall seeing the Maestro symbol however so it presumably depends which type of card you use.
Paul Ranson
Hi Paul, that's good to know.... I do know the Maestro doesn't work.
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This is the first time for me to participate to seed exchange, and I'm very excited. So many seeds to choose from!! :) I have a question about surplus seeds: do I need to order them at the same time now, or can I order them later? Will there be a smaller list of seeds left for the surplus ordering?
Another question is that I don't quite understand who needs to send stamped addressed envelope? I don't think it is possible for me (from Finland).
Leena, you should order the Surplus seed at the same time, even though it will be sent later. The surplus seed is ordered from the same list.... some seeds may be out of stock , that is why is it a good idea to choose blocks of numbers to allow for a greater selection.
You can email me with any other queries you may have, of course ... info@srgc.org.uk
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Thanks Maggi. :)
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You are right Maggi about Prof. Pawley's ways being a mystery to many. In the first place he refused to accept that I was donating a dwarf form of Clematis fusca (dwarf? Can't be fusca) until someone else also donated seed of the same very dwarf (30cms) herbaceous form. Even a reference in Barry Fretwell's book "Clematis" didn't seem to convince him.
Then I sent seed, among others, of Gaultheria prostrata v. pentlandii, listed OK but also of an entirely different Gaultheria which I sent as Gaultheria ?species crimson (or red) fruit aging to black). This is not listed at all, only two forms (mauve and purple) of G. prostrata. Either he has renamed mine for no reason or he has omitted it altogether. This second unidentified Gaultheria is an outstanding plant and well worth growing from seed (very easily) but G. prostrata is is NOT!
Having said all this, I fully acknowledge the huge and arduous job the Prof does with the seed exchange but it does leave one wondering what is going on sometimes - see's John's post above.
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Hi
I just want to say thank you very much for arranging the seed exchange and many thanks to all the seed donators! :)
I got the list in my mailbox and...wow :o! Soo many seeds to choose from! I hope that i get some of my first choices, but there were so many treasures that the packet will be exiting whatever comes my way. I used VISA card and it worked fine. Do SRGC have Paypal account by the way? That is even easier to use.
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Hi
I just want to say thank you very much for arranging the seed exchange and many thanks to all the seed donators! :)
I got the list in my mailbox and...wow :o! Soo many seeds to choose from! I hope that i get some of my first choices, but there were so many treasures that the packet will be exiting whatever comes my way. I used VISA card and it worked fine. Do SRGC have Paypal account by the way? That is even easier to use.
Thanks Lillii :)
Yes, the SRGC does have Paypal to enable donations and Subscription payments and if someone is very keen to use Paypal to make their seed payment then please contact me at info@srgc.org.uk
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Now I'm in real trouble because I didn't get my application finished yesterday and now can't find it, maybe I didn't log off but just closed it down so I thought I'd start again but can't because the password I chose is already registered and I can't just use a new one because my email address is already registered as well.
Begging for help here please.
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I'll
email PM you Lesley!
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I've just placed my order.
1634 Erythronium Craigton Cover Girl
1646 Erythronium japonicum
1653 Erythronium revolutum hybrid
1654 Erythronium revolutum Gods Valley
1799 Galanthus plicatus byzantinus
1908 Geranium pratense Splish-splash
2091 Hepatica nobilis japonica Kagiroi (bulb)
2093 Hepatica nobilis japonica Touyamasigure (bulb)
2285 Iris reichenbachii
2290 Iris schachtii
2419 Lewisia cotyledon Ashwood White
2420 Lewisia cotyledon Drakes Sunset strain
2952 Paeonia rockii
2954 Paeonia rockii hybrids
2955 Paeonia rockii linyanshanii
It is the first time I have taken part in the seed exchange and I expect I have chosen all the fashionable items that will be in short supply.
Where the hepaticas have (bulb) does that mean a plant rather than seed?
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I don't know who has donated seed of Erythonium Craigton Cover Girl... but it iws worth making a point about this plant: all the seed we have raised from it has come VERY close to the original.... but it is always worth noting that there may be some variation out with the acceptable 10% and for some cultivars there will be little resemblence. Happily the Cover Girl seeds should please you when they bloom!
The "bulb" notice is just that.. a small plantlet/bulbil/rice ... these items are only available to members inside the European Union.
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I DID read the hepatica notes at the end but didn't pick up on that so I did order just one of the Japanese names. I expect if it arrives it will be one to return to the UK - now who would like it? ;D
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I registered 5 hours ago and have not received the activation email (no, it was not caught in a spam filter). Is this to be expected, or is something wrong?
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I registered 5 hours ago and have not received the activation email (no, it was not caught in a spam filter). Is this to be expected, or is something wrong?
Blasted email is probably circling the world aimlessly Tom (I recently got a note from friends in the USA who had just had an emil from me sent ten months ago drop into their mailbox! :o)
I have activated your account myself from dear old Aberdeen so you should now be able to LOG IN and make your selection.
Happy Hunting!
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Thank you very much Maggi!
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Where the hepaticas have (bulb) does that mean a plant rather than seed?
I
The "bulb" notice is just that.. a small plantlet/bulbil/rice ... these items are only available to members inside the European Union.
When I made the answer above, I thought that the "bulbs" referred of Hepatica must be small plantlets but I am now advised that in fact these were simply seeds, pached in peat to keep them moist.
Since these are seeds, then, there will be no chance that the "named " Japanese varieties will come true and should not bear the name. Just think of any seedlings as pretty babies!
I cannot imagine how the seeds came to be listed as "bulbs"..... sorry folks!
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bulbs or seeds, I'm keeping my fingers crossed I'll get a few of these japanese treasures
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I cannot imagine how the seeds came to be listed as "bulbs"..... sorry folks!
Oh no, i thought they were roots, so i didn't order any.. :'(
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I ordered just one of the named ones, so as not to be greedy and because the genus and species ARE on the permitted list, but anything coming from such plants should be worth growing and there could be surprises. Pleased they are seeds as if they were tiny plantlets they would have been destroyed here.
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Hello
My friend in Sapporo donated the seeds of Hepatica japonica and pubescens,not bulbs.
They were harvested this spring and had been kept in coconut chip in wet condition for
the Seed Exchange.
I think they will germinate next spring well.
"Utage x Yuukoku"in the list is a crossing. Other Hepaticas have "name", but most of them will
flower with almost similar colour and form as parents from seeds.
Tetsuo Sapporo
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Hello Tetsuo, thanks for this clarification.... and please pass our thanks to your friend for their kind support of the seed exchange.
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I cannot imagine how the seeds came to be listed as "bulbs"..... sorry folks!
Oh no, i thought they were roots, so i didn't order any.. :'(
Oh dear, you thought as I did, Lillii...... that they were liitle plantlets .... how annoying!
Given the description "bulbs" , what else were we to think? How on earth could it happen ??? :'(
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Hello
My friend in Sapporo donated the seeds of Hepatica japonica and pubescens,not bulbs.
They were harvested this spring and had been kept in coconut chip in wet condition for
the Seed Exchange.
I think they will germinate next spring well ... Tetsuo Sapporo
Thank you Tetsuo for clarifying this.
"Utage x Yuukoku"in the list is a crossing. Other Hepaticas have "name", but most of them will
flower with almost similar colour and form as parents from seeds.
It is very important that the offspring from these particular seeds are not labelled with the parent's name as these are specialist Japanese cultivars that sell for high prices. Yes, all seed is "ex" and all the exchanges tell us not to name the offspring as such, but in many situations it is not so important.
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It would be good if Surplus Seed could be also ordered after the Main Distribution order is finalised.
I see the AGS has this facility, to order surplus seeds till January.
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It would be good if Surplus Seed could be also ordered after the Main Distribution order is finalised.
I see the AGS has this facility, to order surplus seeds till January.
I will pass this suggestion on to the President and the Seed Team, Razvan. So far we have had no problems with people ordering their surplus seed at the same time as they make their main allocation request. I am not sure what benefit there would be to making a different order time possible?
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Perhaps, this could allow us to choose freely our surplus seeds in available remaining numbers, Maggi ;)
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Naturally, I will pass these comments, as I always do with Members' suggestions, to the SRGC folks concerned with such matters.
Some of my own comments on the matter.....
To allow surplus seed choices from those seeds remaining after the main distribution would necessitate a full stock take of remaining seed and the re-listing of surplus seed. That presupposes that a full stock list at the start is in existence, and has been updated through the process as more packets are made from some seeds which are in demand and in good supply.
To allow further ordering, the existing seed ordering list would need to be deleted and re-set. To allow further ordering from the surplus list would require the members' seed accounts to be cleared to allow further ordering. There would be the problem of removing those names who had already placed surplus seed orders as well as their main request, to allow those who had not made such an order to place a later order.
Anyone wishing to make such an order would need to re-register etc.
Already, I think you can see that this requires a great deal of work from both the Web and Seed Teams to achieve . There are likely other considerations that are yet to occur to me :-\
I cannot say what systems are in place for other organisations but I have a pretty good working knowledge of the SRGC method. Other people do things differently, that is their right, different situations require different solutions, I'm sure.
The Seed Team are keen to get their various tasks implemented and completed in as quick a time as possible : the sooner the seed gets to the members the greater chance there is of viability and growing success.
The SRGC has no premises in which to perform the seed exchange tasks for picking, packing and distribution- space has to be hired to accomplish this and such space can be expensive and often only available for a limited period.
The goal of the Seed Team is to have all orders received by January 15th and all orders picked, packed and sent by February.
Allowing for snags with undelivered USA seed import permits and the like,which can and do delay some packages, the Seed Team is very successful in their aims.
edit for spelling!
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Clearly with much smaller general seed distribution lists or lists limited to a family/genus, it would be much easier to issue a "remainders" list or mark specific seeds as no longer available as they are sent out - but for a non-commercial list the size of the SRGC list this would be an impossible feat!
I've always wondered, out of mere curiosity, what happens to seeds left over after all orders have been sent out.
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After the Seed exchange is over the remaining seeds are taken round all the SRGC shows for sale for a nominal sum and Groups can be sent leftovers for distribution to members.
The very last few seeds from Seed Ex. 64 were available for anyone to help themselves to at the AGM.
The handful remaining after that were due in the Bainbridge compost heap, I think!
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After the Seed exchange is over the remaining seeds are taken round all the SRGC shows for sale for a nominal sum and Groups can be sent leftovers for distribution to members.
The very last few seeds from Seed Ex. 64 were available for anyone to help themselves to at the AGM.
Ah - that explains why I didn't know :) Wherever we live, there are always advantages and disadvantages of living there!!
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surely any seed exchange of the magnitude of both SRGC and AGS where tens of thousands of packets are involved is a complicated procedure.
i just thought orders are processed as they arrive, after the main distribution.
i had no idea that the whole system would have to be reset.
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Razvan, you mentioned the AGS seed list. As yet I haven't received one or had any notification that it is available Online. Were you speaking in general or specifically about this year's list? Maybe I need to contact them, in a hurry.
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The AGS list is online now, Lesley.... with thousands of seeds to tempt you.
I discovered that it was online when I went to see how the surplus ordering differs from the SRGC system.
There it is possible to make your main and surplus orders seperately, though at the same time is preferred, I think.... and both orders must be received by 6th January, if I read it correctly.
So the AGS seed volunteers will be beavering away as well ...... and the NARGS ones, too... their seedlist is open for online ordering for the first time this year and on December 15 their new online Seed Exchange will be ready for it's initial roll-out.
Extraordinary to think of the hundreds of thousands of packets of seed being made up and sent out around the world in the next few months, isn't it? 8)
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Maggi, it's not there for me.
Says it will be online soon. ??? ??? ???
Oops, now it is!!
;D
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yes it is online.
i also did not receive any notification, was just eager to order and checked their website to see if there is any news.
my order is already placed.
and as they say: 'and now we wait'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_iPvUWyzhE
as for surplus seeds, well, I'll just have to wait some more and see if Santa is generous with my card account. ;D
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The AGS list is online now, Lesley.... with thousands of seeds to tempt you.
I discovered that it was online when I went to see how the surplus ordering differs from the SRGC system.
There it is possible to make your main and surplus orders seperately, though at the same time is preferred, I think.... and both orders must be received by 6th January, if I read it correctly.
AGS seed exchange went on line today, it was the same day as last year, and it was flagged up on the AGS website and on the discussion forum. Although it says ordering main and surplus at the same time is preferred, this is just to simplify the number of online payments. Otherwise it makes no difference either way, whatever people prefer to do.
So the AGS seed volunteers will be beavering away as well ...... and the NARGS ones, too... their seedlist is open for online ordering for the first time this year and on December 15 their new online Seed Exchange will be ready for it's initial roll-out.
Extraordinary to think of the hundreds of thousands of packets of seed being made up and sent out around the world in the next few months, isn't it? 8)
Extraordinary, indeed, ;) and a little bit scary ::) but how marvellous that we have enough donors and volunteers at each stage to make the whole thing happen
Diane Clement, Acting Manager, AGS Seed Exchange
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Thank you all for this good ( :-\) news. It always seems to happen on a day when I MUST do other things, like today, all the bookwork for Saturday's market, receipts, balance, banking etc etc and a report to Chair of the Trust. I'm already behind as I went through the Forum posts first and then, because the weather was good but due to change later today, went outside to weed seed pots. (Found 7 new seedlings of Rh. pachysanthum and also 3 seedlings of a Paris Anthony sent me 2 years ago!) But the weather, just on mid day has turned nasty, slashing rain and a southerly wind so I'd better get the bookwork done then can concentrate on the seedlist. As they say, "A woman's work is never done." Never mind the housework!
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Extraordinary, indeed, ;) and a little bit scary ::) but how marvellous that we have enough donors and volunteers at each stage to make the whole thing happen
Diane Clement, Acting Manager, AGS Seed Exchange
So right, Diane..... really super that there is the will and effort made from all concerned to carry out these enormous tasks.
Huge amount of work required and every bit done by volunteers... something to celebrate indeed!
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I cannot imagine how the seeds came to be listed as "bulbs"..... sorry folks!
Oh no, i thought they were roots, so i didn't order any.. :'(
Oh dear, you thought as I did, Lillii...... that they were liitle plantlets .... how annoying!
Given the description "bulbs" , what else were we to think? How on earth could it happen ??? :'(
Hi Maggi,
I hope the packers preparing the allocations realise that these are seeds and that they can be sent outside the EU! I'm hopeful that we can get a few of these down to Australia!
cheers
fermi
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Hi Maggi,
I hope the packers preparing the allocations realise that these are seeds and that they can be sent outside the EU! I'm hopeful that we can get a few of these down to Australia!
cheers
fermi
I hope so too, fermi..... I have highlighted the position to the Seed folks.
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Thanks, Maggi
:-*
Of course it depends if we are in time to get any in the first place! ;D
cheers
fermi
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I received today in the post the AGS seed list, and having used both the SRGC and AGS online ordering form (both very easy and useful), I suggest there should be in the future the option of receiving the seed list as a pdf file.
I'm sure printing and posting the lists for so many members is quite expensive, and I for one would gladly give up the printed edition.
I would even go as far as to suggest to receive the bulletins in a pdf form (which would result in a much cheaper membership fee), but maybe that is too radical.
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I'd be very happy not to receive a printed list tho' I think people could be given the option as some still prefer to read the paper list and some are not happy working with it Online. However, I really DO want to get my Journals/Bulletins in the post. There's something so luxurious about all that printed, good quality paper and pictures, as well as which one can take them to bed or to the doc's waiting room and can refer back easily at any time, even years later.
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I received today in the post the AGS seed list, and having used both the SRGC and AGS online ordering form (both very easy and useful), I suggest there should be in the future the option of receiving the seed list as a pdf file.
I'm sure printing and posting the lists for so many members is quite expensive, and I for one would gladly give up the printed edition.
I would even go as far as to suggest to receive the bulletins in a pdf form (which would result in a much cheaper membership fee), but maybe that is too radical.
Razvan, all the recent SRGC seedlists, including the present one, are available on the site as pdfs to download. :)
Many do still prefer the paper list but lots of UK members who are happy with only a pdf get it direct from the website... as indeed, do a great many overseas members, even thoug hthey are sent a paper list automatically.
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Maggy, I know. That's why I suggested that people that want to, may opt-out receiving the printed list.
I would for one. If nothing else, it's more environmentaly friendly.
Anyway, at the moment I am eagerly waiting for the seeds themselves. :)
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I was wondering how I might figure what listing 2173 might look like. It is described as Impatiens sp. ex CC6856. Where would I find the CC listing?
thanks (and please thank all who are involved in the creation, maintenance and distribution of this wonderful seed exchange)
Susan
Ontario, Canada, zone 5a ish with unseasonably warm temperatures that has really compromised the skiing
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Hello Susan, and welcome to the Forum!
CC denotes a Chris Chadwell collection so I think he would be the best source of information. I'll send you his contact details.
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Excellent news from Ian B than the distribution has started. Something to look forward to, and in our case, anticipate the annual tussle with MAF! I hope he and his cohorts have something liquid and perhaps something chocolatey to fortify themselves for the duration. :)
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Seed arrived today. All first choices ;D ;D ;D Thanks to all donors and seed packeters for making this possible :-*
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and mine too. Many thanks to all.
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And mine! Already! I can hardly believe it, in today's mail. Not only that but Shortia soldanelloides as well! I thought Christmas had passed already. ;D
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Seeds arrived here today, all first choices, and best of all: I got seeds of the perennial Meconopsis punicea ... WOW :D Thanks a lot!!
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None here yet :(
But it is nice to look forward to the post on the mat when I get home, as it might contain something interesting for once!
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My seeds arrived today. I was pleased to get 10 of my choices, as it is the first year I have taken part.
x1634 Erythronium Craigton Cover Girl
x1646 Erythronium japonicum
1653 Erythronium revolutum hybrid
1654 Erythronium revolutum Gods Valley
x1799 Galanthus plicatus byzantinus
1908 Geranium pratense Splish-splash
x2091 Hepatica nobilis japonica Kagiroi (bulb)
x2093 Hepatica nobilis japonica Touyamasigure (bulb)
2285 Iris reichenbachii
2290 Iris schachtii
2419 Lewisia cotyledon Ashwood White
2420 Lewisia cotyledon Drakes Sunset strain
2952 Paeonia rockii
2954 Paeonia rockii hybrids
2955 Paeonia rockii linyanshanii
Thankyou to all the seed team.
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Still waiting for mine. :)
AGS seeds arrived yesterday, mostly first choices.
If only the snow would melt now.
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My seeds arrived today. I was pleased to get 10 of my choices, as it is the first year I have taken part.
Thankyou to all the seed team.
Pleased you got some goodies, Rob.... it is usually the best idea to add plenty second choices, though.
Makes it easier for the Seedy Folks! ;)
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My seeds arrived today. I was pleased to get 10 of my choices, as it is the first year I have taken part.
Thankyou to all the seed team.
Were you a donor?
I was a donor - first time - but still awaiting the magic package. :(
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I knew it would work - post just arrived with the magic package ;D ;D ;D
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I knew it would work - post just arrived with the magic package ;D ;D ;D
Abracadabra!
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I too am a happy bunny ;D
Many thanks to all those involved in the exchange :-*
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Mine arrived today, too - although they seem to have been on an excursion with the Post Office, as there was another large date stamp on the envelope.
I always sit and work out my order as soon as the paper list arrives, or the list goes online. I had thought there was at least an element of 'first come, first served' with all the seedlists, so you should get your order in early if you want your first choices. Does the SRGC rely more on what you send in, so I can take more time in future?
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Emmie, the distribution begins with donors. The higher the "rating" on the "Seedy Guys Donor Scale" ( more good seed =better rating) the earlier your choices will be picked. This is how they reward good donors!
Then they get onto the non-donors and work their way through them, and move to the surplusseed orders when all the main allocations have been filled.
So the donors' requests are filtered out for first attention, then the other requests are taken in the order they arrive.
I have a feeling there may be some "positive discrimination" between post and online to even things up a little so as to allow for the time in the post . Can't swear to that!
Roughly speaking though, after Donor ranking is taken into consideration, everything else is pretty much dealt with in date order.
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The envelope was waiting for me when I got home :)
Unfortunately so was my credit card bill but you can't have everything eh?
None here yet :(
But it is nice to look forward to the post on the mat when I get home, as it might contain something interesting for once!
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Hard luck Darren, but you know what they say: you win some, you lose some...... :-X
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As a donor I received 25 and missed out on only 5 first choices (including the one Hepatica I applied for) but it didn't matter because all my second choices were really first choices too, so I am thrilled with mine. There was enough of one to share with a friend who'd been at the Conference in April, and was lusting for it ever since.
Already collecting seed for the next lot. It worries me that by the time it is distributed it will be a year old. That's when good storage becomes really important.
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yay! Mine arrived yesterday! I'm a donor but was delayed in sending in the application, so I'm very happy to receive them so soon.
thanks to all those seedy folk! ;D (and to Maggi for her help, of course :-* )
I appreciate the little greeting from the Bainbridges as well :-*
Now just have to wait for the weather to cool down enough or for the Shade-house to be completed so I can start the sowing - Urgent seeds like Rhodphiala get sown ASAP!
cheers
fermi
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Still no seed arrival yet, Im'e starting to worry (and I am a donor) ???
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Still no seed arrival yet, Im'e starting to worry (and I am a donor) ???
Nor here!
johnw
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I received my seeds yesterday. :D :D Many thanks to the seed-team!! :-*
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Folks, don't panic, those Seedy Folks are working like demons and I am pretty sure all your seeds will either be en route to you or just about to be so.
The Seed Notes do ask that (official) queries about "missing" seed are not sent until after the 5th February, so I'm not going to pass your worries to them just yet.... they think, and I must agree with them, that it is more important that they concentrate on getting the orders filled meantime.
Once the packets are posted, of course, the matter is out of SRGC hands and who knows what holdups there may be for whatever reason, around the world?!
On balance, take heart from the fact that nearly all the seeds reach their destination and for the few that don't, the Seedy Folks can usually come up with some replacements at least..... so breathe deeply and relax!
[attach=1]
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Thanks Maggie You have made me feel a bit better,roll on Monday. :)
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Mine are sown! quicker than ever before, as well as some Chadwell seeds from a hugely generous Forumist and today the AGS seeds arrived. Grateful thanks to Diane and her team. Did someone say "Oh, so many seeds?" :D
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My seeds came today. But lack the extra purchased seeds. Will the extra shipped?
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My seeds came today. But lack the extra purchased seeds. Will the extra shipped?
Yes Peter. The surplus seeds are not shipped with the main allocation seeds.
As it states in the Seed Exchange notes, the main allocation seeds for everyone are picked BEFORE any surplus seeds. So the surplus are send at a different time.
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OK :)
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After 4 full days I'm horrified that nothing has germinated yet. :o ;D ;D ;D
I like those packing pictures, especially the last one. It looks like some kind of mass piano recital. :D
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My seed arrived Monday 23rd with almost all first choices,a friend of mine in Toowoomba,Queensland,received his on Monday 16th again with almost all first choices.A big thank you to all the Donors and seed packeters;Gordon Julian,Tasmania,Australia
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Hello. Recently rejoined the SRGC after a long hiatus. Fortunately in time to put in requests to the seed exchange. Seeds arrived this morning with enough firsts to make me very pleased indeed, and also impressed by the way that, when making up my 21 from things not on my choices, someone has clearly inferred my tastes - several unexpected but very welcome frits. Many strong and often coarse words of delight spoken while decoding the numbers, and much gratitude to the seed team.
Harry
Montrose
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Aw Harry, those Seedy folks are all about spreading joy!
Welcome to the Forum and back to the SRGC too. 8)
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:(
Major dissapointment. Even though I donated seeds which appeared in the seed list, I only received 16 packets. And of course not even one japanese hepatica which I was so much hoping to get.
The note "please consider donating some seed next year" did not make me very happy either.
I wonder if I placed my online order correctly...
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Razvan, I have just checked and your online order was placed perfectly. It also registers your donor status.
Something appears to have gone amiss in the picking of your order... even allowing for the number of bulbs you asked for, it should certianly have been possible to send you 25 packets of seed. :-X
I will make enquiries of Ian B. to see what might be done.
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Thank you Maggy
You are always so quick and kind. :)
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Hi Folks,
A happy New Year to you all.
I may be panicking prematurely but I submitted my seed order online by return. I spoke to a friend (a non donor) today who sent in his order weeks later and got his seeds on Monday. No sign of mine so far. To my shame I wasn't a donor last year but I am surprised that my order hasn't yet arrived. I appreciate the great work that everyone involved in the seed distribution does so this is not a complaint, rather a gentle query to establish if my seeds have been dispatched. Thank you.
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Hi Billy, welcome to the forum, good to see you have started posting here. :)
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Hello Billy, good to see you!
It looks as though all went well with your online request.
I notice there is no "e" at the end of moor in the emaill address you used for the seed ex. but that shouldn't have mattered.
I will pass your query to Ian B.
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Thanks Maggi. There is not meant to be an 'e' in my gmail address.
All the best to you and Ian.
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Thank you Michael. Now that I've broken the ice maybe it will become a habit.
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Thought it best to check on the email ;)
Ian sends his best wishes, too.
Feel free to form a habit..... it's good fun :)
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My seeds arrived today!! ;D ;D so excited!
20 firsts 4 seconds and one I didn't pick... ??? I laughed that the one I didn't pick was number 666 , I wonder of they were trying to tell me somthing ;) I was hoping for #686 calceolaria Walter shrimpton , wondering if anyone that was looking for bulbinella hookeri received my much wished for calceolaria ? Oh the joy of seeds! Glad I managed to get my chadwell seeds and holobec seeds sown last weekend!
B
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Lesley, Graptopetalum bellum seeds received and sown on 17 January already pushing up :P :P :P ;D
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Lesley, Graptopetalum bellum seeds received and sown on 17 January already pushing up :P :P :P ;D
My goodness... that is fast!
This may be interesting..... http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=39896
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I just wanted to quickly thank everyone involved in the seed exchange. They arrived yesterday. I am very happy and most have already been dealt with. Again a big thanks to everyone involved.
Robert
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Lesley, Graptopetalum bellum seeds received and sown on 17 January already pushing up :P :P :P ;D
If it were not for Maggi's link I wouldn't have a clue what you're talking about Nicole. I hope you're not thanking me for the seeds. I know NOTHING!
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Yay! Will's allocation arrived yesterday - 14 first choices which is quite good considering how late we were lodging our orders.
Thanks again, Maggi, for your help and a big thanks to the seed team.
Now when will that Shade-house be completed? ;D
Most of the bulb seed has to wait till the weather cools down anyway - at least another 2 months before we can consider sowing them.
cheers
fermi
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My seeds arrived this morning Maggi. The postmark is Edinburgh 16 January so the delay was in the postal system. My thanks to everyone involved in the seed distribution project for the wonderful job they do.
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Thanks for letting me know, Billy. 8)
I'll tell the Seedy Folks all is well.
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Lesley, I only wanted to tease you about your SRGC seeds having not yet germinated in few days ;D
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Seeds reached my mailbox this morning, gonna be a busy week of sowing.
A big thank you to the donors and the srgc team.
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Oh joy....
My seeds arrived this morning. Thank you so much. :-*
And I was really quite surprised that I got 14 of my first choices and two of my second choices - considering I only just made the cut-off date.
Now their little lives are in my hands - OMG!
I have never taken part in a seed exchange before but it seems so much more important to get it right considering the amount of effort that has been given by all of the volunteers involved.
I will be very careful.
Sue
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I got my seeds today ;D Haven't had the time to sit down with the list until now, exiting! Big thanks to all the seed donors and the seedpacking team!
11 first choices ;D very nice! And the second choices are really first choices as well, hehe. Again: thank you!
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Lesley, I only wanted to tease you about your SRGC seeds having not yet germinated in few days ;D
Thanks Nicole, and after me saying elsewhere that several Forumists tease me, I didn't recognize it! Still nothing up! ;D
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Yuppee, I'll get the missing donors quota plus some extra Daphnes. :)
If these and the Daphne seeds I bought at the Conference will germinate I'll be veeery happy.
Maggy, thanks once again.
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My seed allocation arrived (USA) last week and I was thrilled with the selection. Many thanks to all those who work so hard to make this happen!
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I have selected Astragalus coccineus from seed exchanges several times over the past couple of years and unfortunately all have proven to be Anthyllis vulneraria coccinea,the two genera/species have quite different seeds and it is possible the donor/s may not have any method of checking the true identity.SRGC no.583/2012 as well as AGS no.1700/2012 are also Anthyllis seed unfortunately.I have now been told of U.S.A. source (Alplains Nursery ) who have seed of many Astragalus species and I have ordered some from them today.Gordon Julian,Tasmania
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Hi Gordon,
I have grown this astragalus from Alpains seed and you will not be disappointed. Rub the seed in a little piece of sandpaper and they will germinated within a few days. Keeping them going is the tricky part they usually die here after flowering but they might do better in your neck of the woods. Well worth the effort.
Susan
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Last year Anthyllis montana from SRGC also was Anthyllis vulneraria but was true from the AGS list.
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Thank you so much everyone. I was excited to see that white envelope in our mailbox today :-) I really hope to contribute this year and want to thank all the donors and everyone else who puts so much effort into it. I got 14 first choices and honestly I would have been happy with any of my seconds too. Bless you all and hope the seed pickers are not reciting all the numbers in their heads any longer :-)
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Packet arrived for me today of NARGS seed... all neatly labelled.
Why there is resistence to a labelling sytem here I cannot understand.
Saves the stress of deciphering handwriting and would be so much simpler for the import regs. "Sigh!"
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Today my surplus seed dumped into my mailbox, and i am shocked :o 50 packets of seeds! What was i thinking??! I must have been like a child in a candy store ;D and i got so much interesting that i don't know where to begin! Thank you very much again, both donors and seed exchange people :-* It must have been quite a task to sort all the seeds out!
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Got a great treasure today! Seeds arrived from SRGC. Thank you to all involved :D :D :D
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Packet arrived for me today of NARGS seed... all neatly labelled.
Why there is resistence to a labelling system here I cannot understand.
Saves the stress of deciphering handwriting and would be so much simpler for the import regs. "Sigh!"
As a NARGS Seed Exchange seed packer for many years, I have worked with both the old stamp method and the newer printed label system; and I must say unequivocally, that labels make the process faster, more accurate and more efficient.
A predetermined number of labels for each offering is printed in advance, before the actual seed packing is done. I can't tell you what the actual methodology is, but that number is (mostly?) based on the number of requests for each particular offering in the past. This is absolutely wonderful! No more guessing how many packets to make: if there are only 10 labels, there is no need to make 25 packets!
And this way, excess seed is not automatically wasted. If there are lots of seeds for a 10 label item, I might still make 12 packets. (We can always hand write more, at our discretion.) The twelve packets then get the seed divided up, lets say 30 seeds per packet. This, as opposed to the old method, where we would have made many more packets with less number of seeds per packet, because we would have no idea how many packets would be needed. So with the old method, many of those packets would have gone unused! Multiply all that extra, unnecessary time and work by....100?....1000? You get the picture. Members are happier when they get more seed in their orders, too. Wouldn't you?
On the other hand, when there is relatively little seed of an offering, the labeling system still works in our best interest. It will tell us (by how many labels are printed for the offering) how best to divide up the available seed. The minimum number of seeds per NARGS packet is five. So, by knowing the number of packets that need to be made, we can adjust the number of seeds per packet to meet the demand. That can mean that a packet only gets five seeds, but more people get their first choices! (I will say that when I package seeds such as this, and some individual seed's viability is questionable, I don't count them as part of the "five", but I do include them in the packet.)
Parenthetically, this is the first year that we are not keeping an "overage" packet, where excess seed is kept separately, in case there is a miscalculation that underestimated the number of prospective requests. With that overage packet, we could then make more packets to fill orders when the labeled packages run out. I am guessing that by now we have enough past data that makes the need for an overage packet unnecessary. NARGS has used the printed labeling system since at least 2004.
It's win-win system, all the way!
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A predetermined number of labels for each offering is printed in advance, before the actual seed packing is done. I can't tell you what the actual methodology is, but that number is (mostly?) based on the number of requests for each particular offering in the past. This is absolutely wonderful! No more guessing how many packets to make: if there are only 10 labels, there is no need to make 25 packets!
Hi Rick, does this mean that the only surplus seeds that will be available will be seeds that nobody had listed as first choices?
That if there were say, 300 seeds of Campanula barbata for example were in the kitty and two people asked for them that they would get half each?
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Great excitement today. My seeds arrived in the mail. Opened for inspection by MAF but all in order.
A very big thanks to all who make it possible.
Susan
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Printed labels would also reduce mistakes like I had in my order, I received 666 when I ordered 686
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Hi Rick, does this mean that the only surplus seeds that will be available will be seeds that nobody had listed as first choices?
That if there were say, 300 seeds of Campanula barbata for example were in the kitty and two people asked for them that they would get half each?
Hi Helen,
I think the minimum number of labels for any item is five. The number of preprinted labels for item "X" is likely more than the largest number ever previously ordered for item "X". We still have plenty of leftovers after the first round, and the second round. Yes we have extra, but not as much as would have been automatically generated by making so many more packets than needed from the very start. The idea is to try to better balance the enormous amount of work needed to operate the exchange with a more accurate estimation of actual need.
I don't know how first choice items versus second choice items fit into the calculation of future number of labels printed.
To your hypothetical question: if there were 15 preprinted labels for Campanula barbata, the seed would be divide into a minimum of 15 parts for 15 packets. If only two people ordered the species, they would each get one packet. The rest would go into the second round of the exchange.
I don't know what the default number of packets would be for a species that has never been listed before. It (and many other parameters) would certainly be something that could/would be tweaked by each individual plant society's seed exchange. The SYSTEM can be modified to meet SRGC's needs and wants, which may or may not be the same as that of NARGS.
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I know the SRGC seed packeting team have a system for estimating the demand based on many previous years requests. This number is known as 'Henry's' as it was originally Henry and Margaret Taylor that did that job for many years and the name sticks both out of affection and honour this famous SRGC couple.
I have been in favour and pushing the SRGC to adopt packet labeling for around ten years now but I am not the one carrying out this much appreciated work.
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Hi Rick, does this mean that the only surplus seeds that will be available will be seeds that nobody had listed as first choices?
That if there were say, 300 seeds of Campanula barbata for example were in the kitty and two people asked for them that they would get half each?
Hi Helen,
I think the minimum number of labels for any item is five. The number of preprinted labels for item "X" is likely more than the largest number ever previously ordered for item "X". We still have plenty of leftovers after the first round, and the second round. Yes we have extra, but not as much as would have been automatically generated by making so many more packets than needed from the very start. The idea is to try to better balance the enormous amount of work needed to operate the exchange with a more accurate estimation of actual need.
I don't know how first choice items versus second choice items fit into the calculation of future number of labels printed.
To your hypothetical question: if there were 15 preprinted labels for Campanula barbata, the seed would be divide into a minimum of 15 parts for 15 packets. If only two people ordered the species, they would each get one packet. The rest would go into the second round of the exchange.
I don't know what the default number of packets would be for a species that has never been listed before. It (and many other parameters) would certainly be something that could/would be tweaked by each individual plant society's seed exchange. The SYSTEM can be modified to meet SRGC's needs and wants, which may or may not be the same as that of NARGS.
Thanks for the explanation, Rick.
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Just wanted to thank everyone involved in the 2012 seed exchange for a job well done! Also wanted to let any other members overseas to know that the seeds should start arriving soon. Here at the nursery our seeds arrived yesterday. We are thrilled to have gotten most of our top choices. Although we live abroad, membership in the SRGC is cherished dearly.
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Just wanted to thank everyone involved in the 2012 seed exchange for a job well done! Also wanted to let any other members overseas to know that the seeds should start arriving soon. Here at the nursery our seeds arrived yesterday. We are thrilled to have gotten most of our top choices. Although we live abroad, membership in the SRGC is cherished dearly.
Good to know the seeds are getting through the post to the USA..... all you folks are valued members, you know - the Club may be based in Scotland but the importance of our international membership is never to be underestimated.
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Well seeds are all planted! Another huge thank you to all that helped make the seed ex a big success!
B
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I know the SRGC seed packeting team have a system for estimating the demand based on many previous years requests. This number is known as 'Henry's' as it was originally Henry and Margaret Taylor that did that job for many years and the name sticks both out of affection and honour this famous SRGC couple.
I have been in favour and pushing the SRGC to adopt packet labeling for around ten years now but I am not the one carrying out this much appreciated work.
Hi Ian,
the individually labelled packets from NARGS mean that we don't need to include the printed list of numbers and corresponding names for our (Australian) Quarantine Inspection (AQIS) which is a time saver for the applicant but also for the societies such as the AGS where Diane had to do each letter herself (or so it seemed!) for those who applied on-line and didn't send in a typed out list. Each system has its advantages and disadvantages but at this present time these seem to be working for us in Australia!
The SRGC on-line system is great and I could work it easily and open different pages including the AQIS list of allowed and prohibited species (ICON) as well as a "search engine" to look up names with which I was unfamiliar.
cheers
fermi
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the individually labelled packets from NARGS mean that we don't need to include the printed list of numbers and corresponding names for our (Australian) Quarantine Inspection (AQIS) which is a time saver for the applicant but also for the societies such as the AGS where Diane had to do each letter herself (or so it seemed!) for those who applied on-line and didn't send in a typed out list. Each system has its advantages and disadvantages but at this present time these seem to be working for us in Australia!
Fermi, the letter I do for the Australian, NZ and US members is easy if they order on line. Our helpers making up orders use a highlighter pen on the printed order form as a check of what has been sent. I then go into their online order, delete or add the numbers to match their order, and a bit of wizardry generates the letter with the names on. The snail mail handwritten ones take longer, as I have to key the numbers into the system but this also generates the letter. The ones that really take the long time are the US orders for 200 or 400 packets of surplus, where the numbers do have to be keyed in individually from the packets. (Aussies and NZ rarely order surplus, because of their white list issues)
We have toyed with the idea of labelling the seed packets over the years for the AGS exchange. I can see a lot of advantages. The countries with import letters would be easier to administer (although would you still not need a letter listing the taxa??). The labelling for selling at shows would not need to be done (this is happening now, after the distribution is finished). There would be no instances of number errors from the packers where two numbers get transposed or misread. The advantages are clear, the disadvantages come down to more work at the seed reception stage.
We have a similar system (I think) to the SRGC in estimating the number of packets required. I look at the previous 3 years packing numbers and audit numbers (what is left after the main and surplus distributions) and apply a formula - if they all went, pack more, if we had some left, pack less. New names we make a guess on (woody plants and annuals - pack 5, anything new and exciting - pack the lot, anything herbaceous with an unusual cultivar name - pack the lot). The problem is the fluidity of the donations, leading to an average every year of about 30% names on any one year's list which were not on the previous year's. Using previous years figures is therefore essential (I have ten years of packing and audit figures available). So I reckon that it would be possible to estimate the quantities of some taxa needed, in advance (although that presupposes we get the quantities donated, not always the case. For example, we usually get a lot of Paeonia mlokosewitchii donated, but this year hardly we didn't have enough to meet need. Not helped by me not bothering to collect my own as I thought we would have plenty ::) ). There have also been problems due to climatic fluctuations, so this year we have had a shortage of bulbous seed and cyclamen, presumably because a lot have been lost due to the previous couple of years bad winters. But because of people losing them, they then request the seed of those taxa, a sort of lose-lose situation for us.
The biggest problem is getting the labels done in advance of making up the packing boxes, as the final check on what seeds we have is changing daily in the late stages, due to late seed coming in. And I can't really estimate the final packing numbers of a lot of taxa before I see the quantities sent in. This year we have made up 100 boxes to go out to packers each containing enough to make up about 1200 packets, making a final total of 120,000+ packets so the whole job is massive. Whenever I see the labels on NARGS packets I suspect that the quantities handled by NARGS are a lot less than us.
But it is certainly an area I will think again about.
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Regarding the need for a list of packets as well as the names on the packets for certain import areas.... I think Diane is correct ( she usually is, y'know) 8)
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So far as New Zealand is concerned, a list of the packets wouldn't be needed if the names were ON the packets. We previously had to include a list written by ourselves because MAF had only numbers to see. The AGS and SRGC have made the members' job so much easier and also that of MAF who know there are no mistakes in the list supplied by members previously. It can happen, as in writing 618 instead of 816. I often do it when writing a phone number for future reference.
We of course are happy with anything that has made it easier for MAF to check our seeds as they do have the ability, if provoked, to become nasty - like putting on outrageous costs for inspections. Their regulations (Biosecurity Act) permit them to do so (it works out, at present at about $75 per 15 mins plus GST) but if all is well with the overall packet, they have so far chosen not to apply these costs to private (as distinct from commercial) importers.
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Lesley, a few years ago we were told that a handwritten list was not acceptable, so at that point we started to include a copy of the full seed list. After a few years, that was no longer acceptable either, as the officials couldn't spend the time looking up the numbers, and so since then we have done the printed lists.
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Lesley, a few years ago we were told that a handwritten list was not acceptable, so at that point we started to include a copy of the full seed list. After a few years, that was no longer acceptable either, as the officials couldn't spend the time looking up the numbers, and so since then we have done the printed lists.
I remember a long spell of sitting with copies of the lists highlighting the numbers of the seeds that were going in packets..... :-X :P
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Thanks for that Diane. I didn't know MAF had made a decision about it. We ourselves - or certainly I - were/was never told that the handwritten list was unacceptable. I always wondered why AGS had started putting in a copy of the actual seedlist when our own lists - I typed mine - were so much quicker to access.
Maggi, sorry about the hours expended. You all, "over there" go the extra mile and even further for the sake of overseas members. I wish there was something we could do at this end to repay.
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Keep paying your subs, and find a pal to join too.... that's all we ask! ;)
Reminds me of our last group meeting... encouraging folksto sign up for the bus trip to the early bulb Day in Dunblane, I said it would be great if everyone brought a friend along . Ian said that wasn't good enough, they could bring three friends! I felt I had to admit that most of us might not HAVE three friends! :-X ;D
Except Angela, she'd manage it. 8)
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Question just in: how to germinate Ranzania japonica or Helonopsis orientalis?
or are these short lived seeds that have no hope? (having been through the seed ex)
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I wanted to say, in regard to recruiting members but not sure where to say it, but here's OK I think since Maggi mentioned paying our subs and bringing a pal (whew, could hardly get that out without forgetting what I wanted to say), oh yes.
My January Journal arrived on Saturday and one thing that struck me forcibly was what a great thing it is. What I wanted to say was that while many Forumists both active and lurkers have great pleasure in the Forum itself, perhaps they feel it is not, therefore important to join SRGC as a member. I mean, maybe they think the Forum does everything. But that's not the case. The articles and photographs in the Journals add a huge extra dimension and double the benefits the club as a whole, provides. This is even more so for those who live in the UK or are perhaps near enough to hop over the channel occasionally, with the shows, discussion weekends, local group activities and all the person to person friendships that membership involves.
So please think of joining the Club and being not just a Forumist, but a full member if you are not one already. You won't possibly regret it.
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Question just in: how to germinate Ranzania japonica or Helonopsis orientalis?
or are these short lived seeds that have no hope? (having been through the seed ex)
Gin the seeds were dried, Ranzania japonica easily goes into curious dormancy and do not
germinate. Hepatica japonica is same. The donors of their seeds had better keep the seeds
in wet condition in sand etc. until Seed Exchange.
I do not grow Heloniopsis orientalis from seeds. They are easily propagated by planting
leaves. Buds are sprouting from both ends of the leaf. I think the best way is to get some
leaves from your friend. I post a picture.
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Finally received my seed order today ;D ;D ;D I think Her Majesties Royal Mail must have sent them over here on a rowing boat,but at last they are here and I only missed out on a few choices so thanks to all the people who make this seed exchange possible.
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I got my seeds today too! Thanks very kindly to everyone who makes this seedex possible!
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Question just in: how to germinate Ranzania japonica or Helonopsis orientalis?
or are these short lived seeds that have no hope? (having been through the seed ex)
I've heard from a friend who was sent seed of Ranzania japonica, very fresh, and it germinated in a couple of weeks. It was outside, but under a cover. Then it did nothing and it was thought to be failing.
The following year he got some more seed, the pot was put outside at once and that too germinated very quickly These grew on well and made more leaves which the first lot hadn't. Then the first batch were outside too and they too have grown away well.
They advice given was that they don't like to be coddled and should be planted out (not potted) as soon as big enough. But fresh seed is important as it is with Jeffersonia.
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Finally received my seed order today ;D ;D ;D I think Her Majesties Royal Mail must have sent them over here on a rowing boat,but at last they are here and I only missed out on a few choices so thanks to all the people who make this seed exchange possible.
Glad the seed are safely sarrived in fair Tasmania. :D
Have to say, since the Seed Distribution only began at the beginning of January, the work done mainly at weekends and all orders now sent.... it seems to me that even by row boat, the arrival time is not bad! ;D ;)
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Hi Maggi,
my seeds were posted on the seventh of January they have taken exactly a month to get here,
that is definitely snail mail as the average time for mail from the U.K. is seven to ten days.I am just very pleased they arrived once again a big thanks to all involved.
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Hi Maggi,
my seeds were posted on the seventh of January they have taken exactly a month to get here,
that is definitely snail mail as the average time for mail from the U.K. is seven to ten days.I am just very pleased they arrived once again a big thanks to all involved.
Is that the time usually taken for ordinary mail, Taffy, or can seeds that go through inspection arrive in 7 to 10 days as well? ?
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I wondered about that too. Seeds sent to me in January from the UK took 4 days to reach me but anything MAF inspects will take up to 3 weeks, maybe even more. I suspect there are fewer inspectors on duty following the Christmas/New Year holidays, which maybe means somethings are missed. We have a statutory obligation to return such items for inspection.
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Hi again,
I am registered with Quarantine Tasmania as a seed importer so as long as I notify Quarantine of what I am importing and the expected arrival date of the seed into the country it does not get stopped by Quarantine.There are certain rules that you must comply with to become a registered seed importer,one rule is you must be very honest and tell them exactly what you are importing ;) ;)
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Can't see the thread about Seeds germinating now. I must be blind as surely it's handy.
Anyway, 4 of my SRGS seeds are germinating now, sown Jan 20th. This morning, the latest is Gypsophila aretioides and because it's so quick and because there was quite a lot of seed (also from AGS) I'm wondering, cynic that I am, if in fact the seed is of Gypsophila cerastioides, not aretioides. Time will tell.
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Lesley
You cant really mean that if they miss a package you have to return it to them for inspection!?!? That is their problem, in my books they miss it too bad! Glad we don't have that here!
B
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Yes Bryan, I really DO mean that. Whether it happens is another matter. About 5 years ago I had a parcel of bulbs arrive uninspected, (seeds sometimes slip through but never bulbs) from Tasmania and because I import quite a few bulbs from there and a lot of seeds from all over, I thought maybe MAF was testing me to see what I'd do so I was a very good girl and phoned the Auckland Mail Centre hort inspectors. They said to take it into my local office which I was happy to do as I knew all was OK. But Auckland and Chch don't charge for small, private import inspections though they are entitled to. Local office said, everything's fine and you can have the parcel back on payment of $200! The B.......s I had to pay it before they'd give me my bulbs. >:(
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you can have the parcel back on payment of $200! The B.......s I had to pay it before they'd give me my bulbs. >:(
:o That's highway robbery and extortion! I hope you had ordered a very large quantity of bulbs and that they are all still alive and well.
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They would have a hayday here! My surplus seed arrived today and it contained some bulbs that were put in by accident. CFIA is NOT getting a call from me!
I am so sorry you have to deal with that craziness !
I have enough trouble getting people's pets ready to move to Australia and new Zealand, can't imagine if I had to do it for plants...
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A few years ago the CFIA changed the requirements for imports, we would normally just all orchid species and hybrids. Then they started requiring that EVERY genera be listed on your application. That only lasted a year before we forced them to change it back. The problem was that with so many man made genera in orchids it was hard to keep up. I have a friend that had plants taken out of a shipment because one of the man made genera included one genus that was not on her permit, even though that unlisted genus was used only once in the breeding over 100 years ago and only made up less then 1 % of its genetic make up. Thankfully we have had that changed! Also it was hard to keep up with those damn taxonomists changing the names!
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Well the payment added about another third to the price of the bulbs but they are all doing well fortunately.
Bryan I think it's a lot easier to import animals than it is plants. Anthony Darby's dog was in quarantine for just a couple of weeks I think whereas plants have to go through 12 months (dormant bulbs from Australia are the exception though the red tape in the ordering is enough to encircle the globe). Racehorces come over from OZ for a couple days racing and I think only need a vet inspection before getting on with it. May be wrong about that but they certainly have a much easier time than a primula or rhododendron!
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For dogs we have to do thousands of dollars of blood work before they go into quarantine, 5 or6 of the tests take 2 to 3 weeks but can't be done until 30 days prior to arrival. Everything is on a very tight schedule!
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I don't think we have anything like that but maybe Anthony had to arrange it all at the Scottish end before Heidi came here. Oh dear, and we're thinking of sending Roger and Marley to Aberdeen to look after Poppy and Lily while Maggi's in the Czech Republic. ???
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I don't think we have anything like that but maybe Anthony had to arrange it all at the Scottish end before Heidi came here. Oh dear, and we're thinking of sending Roger and Marley to Aberdeen to look after Poppy and Lily while Maggi's in the Czech Republic. ???
Maggi's going MIA?
The forum will fall apart!!! :o :o :o
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Don't panic, Helen... if I go there.... Angela has an ipad! ;)
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Don't panic, Helen... if I go there.... Angela has an ipad! ;)
Maggi, have you done the iPad 101 course?
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The Forum will simply relocate temporarily, to Tabor. ;D If I go I will have to get an e-reader of some kind as I can hardly pop into a Czech library and find something I want to read. Don't want to cart a dozen books with me. :o
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Don't panic, Helen... if I go there.... Angela has an ipad! ;)
Maggi, have you done the iPad 101 course?
I wouldn't even know how to switch it on.... but Angela does!
The Forum will simply relocate temporarily, to Tabor.
It sounds as though Lesley may be right.... we can operate from Tabor, I'm sure.
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The Forum will simply relocate temporarily, to Tabor. ;D If I go I will have to get an e-reader of some kind as I can hardly pop into a Czech library and find something I want to read. Don't want to cart a dozen books with me. :o
Lesley, which ones can you buy in NZ?
I have a NOOK which I like.
You can download ebooks from the library for NOOK, it does epub files.
Doesn't do pdf well.
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Well it all seemed so simple Helen, a few months ago when I first read of the Amazon Kindle, here on the Forum. That's it, I thought, just what I want. I went to have a look at it and found about 6 or 8 other types as well, and since then, there must be maybe 30 different makes and models. Mainly I want one for reading. Not too much worried about the other stuff, but it would be good to upload music and of course email - for the conference - and so on, so I'm thoroughly in half a dozen minds at present. There's one being promoted here (only until Sunday night) called a Cruz something, just $179NZ, aimed at school kids starting back now. It looks good but the screen is very small and you can't use it outside because of being LED. What I like about the Kindle is the page looks like printed paper and is less hard on the eyes.
Hey, I like the idea of an epub. Can you just have a G and T or a cool beer without having to go out to do it? Or is it a device with a tap on the side? ;D ;D ;D
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Well it all seemed so simple Helen, a few months ago when I first read of the Amazon Kindle, here on the Forum. That's it, I thought, just what I want. I went to have a look at it and found about 6 or 8 other types as well, and since then, there must be maybe 30 different makes and models. Mainly I want one for reading. Not too much worried about the other stuff, but it would be good to upload music and of course email - for the conference - and so on, so I'm thoroughly in half a dozen minds at present. There's one being promoted here (only until Sunday night) called a Cruz something, just $179NZ, aimed at school kids starting back now. It looks good but the screen is very small and you can't use it outside because of being LED. What I like about the Kindle is the page looks like printed paper and is less hard on the eyes.
Hey, I like the idea of an epub. Can you just have a G and T or a cool beer without having to go out to do it? Or is it a device with a tap on the side? ;D ;D ;D
Lesley, the only advice I can offer you is to decide what you want it to do.
My NOOK is just an eReader, it can't do anything else. It doesn't even have speakers.
All you can do is read books. It uses eInk which is much easier on the eyes and looks like a real book page.
If you want something that you can play music on, surf the net, do email AND read books you will need to get a tablet of some sort.
I personally think you would be better off with a good eReader that does nothing else than a cheap tablet.
Oh, one other thing, my NOOK's battery will last up to 2 months, depending on how much you use it each day.
A tablet is good for 8 -10 hours before needing to be recharged.
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I think you're right Helen. After all, what I really want is something to read on the plane, in bed or in the dentist's waiting room etc, nothing high tech. At the conference there will be plenty of others with things to get Forum posts on, and I can read over their shoulders. Roger can do without me (and I without him) for the time I'm away. :D
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My surplus seeds arrived yesterday. Thank you so much all the donors and the seedy people. :)
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My surplus seed arrived yesterday. I requested the "easy ten" and would like to thank whoever put together the little brochure that came with them. Being a novice in the world of rock gardening, it was very helpful to have a few words indicating what to expect of each type of plant. :)
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My surplus seed arrived yesterday. I requested the "easy ten" and would like to thank whoever put together the little brochure that came with them. Being a novice in the world of rock gardening, it was very helpful to have a few words indicating what to expect of each type of plant. :)
Tom, it is Ian Pryde (forumist shooglypeg) who compiles the notes for the Easy Ten.... he is also the chap who gets all the boxes of seed ready to go out around the country to be packeted and so on...... 8)
A thoroughly good man, I'm sure you agree ;D
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Shooglypeg. Now there's a good word. Must think of multiple way in which to use it. :D
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Tom, it is Ian Pryde (forumist shooglypeg) who compiles the notes for the Easy Ten.... he is also the chap who gets all the boxes of seed ready to go out around the country to be packeted and so on...... 8)
A thoroughly good man, I'm sure you agree ;D
Indeed. It seems I'm in his debt on more than one account. :)
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Thank you very much for all this marvellous people that work hard to make us happy with the seeds :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Well said Rafa. 8)
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Today arrived my set of seeds!! I´m very happy! ;D ;D
Now only left that I sow the seeds so I´ll start in half hour.
Thank you so much!! ;D ;D
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Our pleasure, Pedro!
Happy growing!
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My seeds arrived on 23/02/12. Thank you very very much to all the seedy guys/gals!
All have been planted according to recommendations found in Ian's Bulb Log and other sources as needed. Only had one mishap, when clumsy me tipped over a pot of Cyclamen mirabile 'Tilebarn Nicholas' into the potting mix. Found all but two of the seeds and used the rest of the mix for potting other species, so if the two come up in something else at least I'll know what they are.
I planted the Galanthus (nivalis and plicatus) seed halfway down the pots, then filled with potting mix and topped with pumice. Since they were dry seed, I soaked them in warm water with a little dish soap for about 24 hours. Most of the information I found, only mentioned fresh seed. Do they need to go in the dark or can they stay out at room temp in the light?
Julie
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I received the surplus seed today. Thank you to all the sorters and donors.
Marianne
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Having received mine over a month ago now from SRGC and a couple of weeks ago from AGS, already there are a few things coming up. It's an exciting time once germination starts, something new every day at present, especially in the warm but damp weather we are having. Salvia cyanescens this morning, Primula (that stunning red candelabra) yesterday.
And others too. Michael C. sent me some seed of Carpentaria californica Ladham's var, which I thought (forgive me Michael) couldn't possibly be fertile seed, it looked like dust, the grey kind that accumulates on my bathroom floor after a few days without hoovering. I only sowed about half but there are at least 100 up so soon. We are planning a hedge along the road front where trees have been taken down and Roger thought native Pittosporums, but I've decided on the Carpentaria. Much nicer. ;D