Morning Everyone.
I'm always missing these Round Robins.It there one starting up soon ? Want to give it a try. Or maybe even start one , how do yah do it ? Anyone else ??
NOWeedSZ
Round Robins ?
Hi,
From what I read they are a pain in the behind. It seems they never get all way around.
This message was edited Monday, Nov 19th 12:25 PM
Sorry to say they do not seem that great. For the same postage, ($3.50-$3.95) I have exchanged large trades of perennials. They have been known to go missing... And sometimes the selection is not too varied. I much prefer arranged private trades, with perhaps a few surprise seeds thrown in. Just my own opinion... John
Thanks Guys,
Guess I pass also.
Smiles!
Noweedsz
I think it depends on the stipulations of the round robin. Each one is different. A round robin is only as good as it's participants. Most of the packages I've seen can hold up to 100 packets for under $2.00. If you're weary, ask the host a lot of questions.. how many packets are they starting out with? What are the rules for their round robin, etc. Some of them can be extremely rewarding, part of the fun is the randomness....
I have participated in 2 or 3. In my opinion I have not received much in any of them. People tend to stuff them with common seeds, marigolds, zinna's etc.
I think I prefer to trade one on one.
Paul
I have been in two round robins so far. I think that concrete rules should be stated to begin with. Maybe if you send an email to the RR initiator stating what you took out, what you got...and a note of concern if there seems to be more than two packs of marigolds etc...this would cull down any problems. Violet's RR was my first one. I absolutely loved her selections. I believe that if someone is stuffing common seeds in...they will not be permitted to participate the next time the initiator has another RR. How about a list of what CANNOT be put in such as marigolds? RR's are only as good as the people participating. Here at Daves we seem to have great folks. Shame on those though that dont want to play fair. If you dont have seed, dont get into a RR. Just get SASE's...THEN join in a RR. Maybe that will help. I am pro RR in case you couldn't tell from my letter.
I've participated in 4 RR's so far and I LOVE them! Granted the selection hasn't been great in every one of them, but I've always found things that I wanted and the excitement of going through it has been worth the postage to send it back out again.
It helps to have a host that stays on top of it and if each participant lets the host know when they receive it. Of course there are going to be those that don't play fair - just like in anything else - but then there are those special people that "fix the package" and add more than they have to make sure the next person gets a great selection. Most of the time, it all works out in the end.
I can't wait for the next one!! :)
Good idea Kelly
Denote which seeds ARE NOT permitted.
I realize it takes all kind of people to make a world but it really grinds me when people a re so inconsiderante.
Paul
Violet's robins have been great. Momcats are good also. But I've been in several others and they really haven't been that good and thats if they get to you before they get "lost" and then they are mostly common seeds. I do think limiting common seeds to 2 packs only, and writing down what you took out and replaced might work. I realize some people do like marigolds and cosmos, but maybe a common seed robin every so often might help for those that love the common flower, which are beautiful also.
And yes, you can send up to a hundred small packs of seeds for well under 2.00. Really fun to go through that many!
I try to put at least two packs of a seed that I would think others would want and then posted in the rr posting hoping that it wouldn't get taken by one trader. Such as mexican hats. I was involved in one that tiG started and she had seeds going in two directions and nana wasn't on the same list as I and she emailed me and I sent her seeds also. I think it was Mexiacan Hats can't remember. I look at seed trading this way. Some you lose on and some you win on. You aren't always going to get top quality trades and some times you aren't going to send top quality trades. It usually equals out.
Okay, so what we really need is to establish more of a guideline to starting and participating in RRs. I am definitely in favor of a large selection of small packets of seed. Perhaps RRs devoted to perennial seeds would be an idea. I like the suggestion of noting what one takes out, and with what these packets are replaced...this information might be posted at the same time the message that the RR was received and sent out is posted. Might be fun to note that the oakleaf hydrangea seeds you were seeking turned up, and that the Louisiana iris seed you carefully saved went in. Just a few thoughts.... John
These are some great ideas, maybe we should set up a standard list of rules for the round robins. Once it leaves the host you never know what will be in the package.
I would be willing to start another round robin with only perennials and post a list of whats inside if everone was willing to post what they took out and what they put in.
marilyn
This message was edited Monday, Nov 19th 10:35 PM
Marilyn....sounds good to me. I would prefer a 50 seed minimum though. Is this ok? No marigold seed, or would it be allowed? Would this be flower and veggies, plus annuals or just perennials?
Kelly333,
Started a new thread and it will be just perennials. The thread is called round robin anyone game. Please sign on all. Some of my plants did't produce 50 seeds Kelly so what would be fair.
trailingon
Kelly333, do you mean 50 packets of different seeds? or minimum of 50 seeds per packet? John
I meant 50 different packs...not 50 seeds. Sorry for any confusion.
I have partaken in 4 rr. the first was a christmas rr and it was disappointing. the junk rr was the best by far. the seed rr was also disapointing. the last rr was the flower rr. i received it with very little choices but since i plant marigolds everywhere to kep the rabits and snakes out of my yard i took most of the marigolds and tried to replace with different things.
unfortunately you are always going to have some people who just will not play fair so anytime you join one of the rr's you ae taking a chance. But then again the fun is the suspense of what you might find. will i joi another one? Sure, i am game. Janet
hi all, id just like to say ive been in 2 round robins and they were both alot of fun and they both got back safe and sound. and as far as the seeds go another persons junk may indeed be another persons tresure.... i know for a fact both the pipers round robins and violets round robins were GREAT . just try to remember friends life is to short to sweat the small stuff, just keep trading and have fun with it,well all end up with our baskets filled not only with seeds, but with the many blessings of new friends, may god bless you all and have a very happy thanksgiving.
Thanks everyone.
Lots of good ideas and information here.I did have one thought... How about some sort of 'No end' RR .?? For those commom sorts of seeds.I don't know about you , But I just can't bring myself to let seeds go to waist.Collecting is some sort of addiction !!
RR would go something like this...Traders who don't really WANT any commom seeds in return , but have just too many.We send all our extra commom seeds to the host/ess by a certain time.Host/ess will compile names of 'Newbies' that are in need of any sort of seeds.Or folks who really enjoy the common beautys.
Box is mail off to the first.Who simple removes his/her choice of ?? packets.Leaves a note inside of what type of seeds that was removed,and that if the next newbie is in need of some of the same NEXT year You'll be able to share then.
Box is then posted to the person on the list . the same there....The last person need only to return the note to the Host/ess.I suppose the last one would need to send the Host/ess the postage...unless this was no big issue to them.
one started in the early spring ... later one in early Fall ? I always have extra seeds I would Love to pass on and require nothing in return.
Seems it would be a great way to help everyone.I could continue to feed my collecting/sharing addiction.New traders can learn the ropes , make new friends .
Just another idea ..
Thanks !!
NOWeedSZ
NOWeedSZ...I like your idea!