I am a relatively new gardener and the first thing I have to trade are annual zinnia seeds. Now, while I was cutting them my husband asked what the heck I was going to do with so many and I said that I would trade. I said I needed to clean them and he said why? Just send them in the seed pods. I said I thought that it wasn’t proper to send “uncleaned” seeds. Also, don’t the seeds heads need to be broken up so that they remain dry or something?
Lastly would you like some annual zinnia seeds? Cleaned or uncleaned?!! :)
Susan McCoy
Also, being that I am a new gardener, if someone is offering something to trade that I would like to try, can I offer cash, or is that a no no?
Seed trading etiquette question??
I just received a bunch of "unclean" zinnia seeds from a nice lady who sent them for SASBE...they were nice and dry, even though the seeds were still attached to their petals. I cleaned them myself, just for the experience, and found out real fast why she didn't clean them first. But, I will say that I was very grateful that she sent me some of her seeds, chaffy or otherwise, and I'm just glad to have them.
From what I have read (I'm still a newbie, too), some people hate chaff, others think it's OK so long as you are upfront in your trading and let the other party know that you're sending chaff with those seeds, too. Lots of right answers, I guess.
Hey, I would like to trade you for some zinnia seeds.
I don't have many kinds of seeds on my trade list. You can look and see though.
http://davesgarden.com/trading/tl/GSkinner/index.html
I always clean all my seeds. I think most people like it that way. I really don't care though.
If someone is offering something that you would like to try and you don't have anything to
trade you can ask if they would send them for SASE. Which means all you have to do is pay the postage.
Many people give the option of trade or sase because they have so much of some items. Or
they just want to get rid of some of their stuff and don't want to add to their collection at the time.
Now, I'm new too but I don't think anybody ever offers money. I may be wrong though.
I'm sure older members will help you out more than me.
I hope I helped you a little
and hope to trade.
Gina
Susan,
First of all,,I would hope that most on here wouldnt mind sorting out a few seeds. We all share the love of gardening,,and some of us might have an ailment which makes it more difficult to get the seeds "just right". We should be grateful for what we trade for,,and thats the fun of it. I guess you could offer cash,,,if you truly want something,,and there are no stupid questions on here. I have found the folks on here to be very helpful. We dont know until we ask !!! Welcome also !
Read the trading primer - lots of tips and helps there... http://davesgarden.com/trading/primer/
Zinnia seeds are the easiest in the world to clean. Just take a handfull of them and rub them around between your palms, letting those that wish to fall into a pan below. Do this several times. Then take them outside in the large pan. Pick a day when the wind is blowing fairly hard and steady. Pick up a handfull and hold them about two feet over the pan. Slowly let them dribble out of your hand into the pan. The petals, being lighter, will blow away while the seed will drop into the pan. This is called winnowing and has been done with seed since day one. You will have to use judgement as to how high above the pan to drop them from, it depends on the seed, the wind, and possibly other variables. I have no problem with cleaning zinnia seed. I have about a quart right now that I have saved. They are a mixture of many varieties and colors and heights. I use them for "fill in" plants where I can just cast the seed on the ground, as the Christian Bible says, and they come up and hide the dirt and other weeds.
If anyone wants some of what I have just send me a SASE.
Gordon Hale
425 N. E. 28th St.
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
I am so glad you posted Goedon. I started to clean them by hand and wondered how I was going to get through it all! I have tons. I will get back to those who want any if you don't already get some first. :)
Thanks!
Susan