What seed would you like to see in a round robin?

Please help me figure out seeds would be the most popular in a round robin. I would like to include the not so familiar ones please.

Thanks!

Mindy

Newer daturas , exotic plants seeds ,or we could do bulbs too ???

daylilies, newer morning glories and the above mentioned.

Bat plant, passion flower,mickey mouse , orchid, tropicals-Bananna and ginger..

This message was edited Apr 5, 2005 8:20 PM

dwarf things
unusual foliage
unusual color
heirloom veggies

I read your post on the twisted robin thread.... the thing is, I think that seeds that some folks consider common or old news may be just the seeds that somebody else has never heard of or would like to try. Shirley ("marclay") did a "rare and unusual" robin in February; is that the sort of thing you had in mind?

I liked Steve's suggestions.

I wonder if it would work to just ask people to pick out special or unusual, interesting seeds to add to the robin as it goes around. It sounds to me like the problem may lie with participants who pick out cool items and add standard varieties of cucumber, lettuce, zinnias, marigolds, etc..... maybe you could just try to make it clear you're looking for varieties that can't be found on every local seed rack.

You could choose a theme such as perennials, edible ornamentals, unusual vegetables, etc, but sometimes it's fun to have a wider assortment. Well, I've rambled enough, and I'm not sure I've been of any actual help, so I'll stop rambling now. :-)

Orchid seed are kind of hard to collect, store and send properly. I don't think we'll be seeing much of those, but it would be nice to get some though!

I'd like to see less common plants. Most of the seed seems to be beginner kind, the kind every one already has...

I like the exotics idea. Tropicals, vines, alpines. Alpines especially!

A lot of the seeds in robins seem to be filled with the common ones, and many people seem to use them as a place to dump they're unwanted stuff. Some of them really don't even seem worth the postage to mail them. I know several times I've spent $6 to $10 to mail robins that I didn't take anything out of because it was all marigolds, hollyhocks, shasta daisy, coneflowers, and 'mixes'.
I'd llike to see a robin with all named varieties, or at least harder to find seeds.

Deb

Why not an online robin ?
Every participant lists their unusual seeds (5) and the organizer (Mindy) accept or not the seeds.
Fixing the number of participants in 30 (for example) the first to submit the seeds will be the first to select the ones he wants to receive.
Antonio

Brilliant, Antonio!!!!!!!!!!!

So, after everyone's donations & picks have been determined, then maybe it could work like a swap?

Interesting idea.

More simply, you could just have people submit lists of seeds they'll choose from when adding (if somebody lists 10 things but only chooses 2 out of the robin when it arrives, they're not bound to add all 10 to the envelope), in order to be granted permission to participate (or not).

I think the host would have to receive and distribute the seeds. This means, we would have to include return-postage. Otherwise, we would probably end up sending out 10 different kinds of seeds to 10 different people (far more expensive).

The great thing about Antonio's proposal is that the list of seeds would be PUBLISHED, and the first person in sending his/her seeds has the first choice, and so on.

Participants should not just send an X amount of seed-packages.

Everybody should send a private mail with a list of the seeds they would send to the host. The host would accept/reject each gardener's proposed seeds according to the 'rare seeds' criteria via a private mail (pictures can be attached) in order not to hurt anybodies feelings by posting a rejection to X seeds.

Once everything is cleared out and the seeds have been sent to the host, the host would publish the whole seed-list (without mentioning who sent each type of seeds), plus a list of the participants in the same order their contributions were received.

Then participant Nbr 1 would chose the same amount of seeds he sent from the full list. I.e. if I sent only 3 different seed-pakages, I can only chose 3 from the list. If I send 10 seed packages, I can chose the same amount from the list.

The amount of seeds in each package should be indicated by the sender on the private mail to the host (and accepted/rejected by the host, according to a 'more rare' or just 'too big seeds' to put 20 of them in a trade) and published in the full list as well. This way, everybody would be happy and know what they will get.

I suggest each participant should send an EXTRA rare seed package for the host that will manage this, which implies a LOT of work.

What do you think about this?

I've also noticed that robins contain a lot of the same seed. There's oft 5 packs of.... the same yarrow let's say.

I love heirloom veggies... Flowers are nice too but that is not my real focus this time of year... Corinn likes the flowers but is less "into it" than am I...

Drew

That's why I propose to rule the host to accept/reject (i.e., SELECT the seeds that will participate) among the seeds offered. This would be the first step and via private e-mail.

I don't think anybody would complain it there were for example 10 packages of blue Thunbergia, or Tacca chantrieri, or ..........

What do you Mindy, think about this?

What do you all think about this?

I'm just proposing something I will most likely not even participate in (no place to sow and lots of seeds waiting to be sowed), but can contribute with ideas and some rare seeds.

You guys have such GREAT ideas! I want one other person to help me decide rejectaccept policy. I will do all the organizing. Email me if interested!

OK, the rules so far shall be

(1) limited to first 30 people who emails me the list of rare plants
(2) Number you submit is what you can take out
(3) Turn around timeframe?
(4) Start This RR after May 30'th since it will be busy time for me to get my garden in and this gives everyone time to get the seeds together
(5) Let's do a list of seeds you guys are looking for so that if someone (like me) needs to purchase some seeds, we can get you guys excited :)
(6) Could we request detailed sowing instructions added to packets since these will be rare?
(7) Bulbs allowed but must be named variety or hotly requested :)

Anything else?

Mindy

Will this be a robin that gets mailed around, or will it be more of a swap like Babalu and Ursula are suggesting?
Either way, it sounds interesting, but I think you lose some control of it if it is mailed out to everyone on a list.
I'll e-mail you a list of what I have available when I get home tonight.
Deb

I don't think any one would complain about ten packs of something like that Ursula!

Mindy,

A few thoughts about this:

I think a seed RR should be limited to seeds. If bulbs are included, the host will have to calculate posting for each bulb-recepient and have additional packing work/expenses.

Sowing instructons are great, but .... they will help more DGardeners if they are posted in the Plant Files (great contribution!).

No intention to offend you nor anybody else, but you are a quite a new member, have scarce feed-back information and very little contribution to DG ie, Plant Files, etc.). If I were you, I would launch the idea and ask a long time and well reputed subscriber to host the RR, considering the host will have the control over all the seeds and return postage. There have been too many bad experiences lately, and this would ensure a very successfull RR.

Just my humble opinion.

Ursula

darn darn but fair way i have no rare seeds so lets me out of trading.. good luck all. may all your wishes be filled... blessings Twyla

She (Mindy) sent me rare seeds just for my asking, straight from her own purchased packages; didn't even ask for a trade. Very nice and prompt. Would definetly do more trades!

~* Robin

This message was edited Apr 6, 2005 7:39 PM

Ahhhhh Twyla.. I have some Black Bat... Thunbergia Grandifloria Alba.... White Bird of Paradise. Will send ya a few seeds of each so you can have some tropicals.

Oh; so nice of you to do that Starlight! I will send her some other kinds of hard to find seeds!

~* Robin

oh ella thanks, i have wanted the bsat i bought plugs once thyeall did nothing but one it died..did get you seeds i sent you?? you can send with the ones traded for to save on postage if like i can pay postage to.. thanks so much.... Twyla.

Sure - I'm game - which "old" member with much feedback wants to do this :)
I'll just collect seeds and wait for the RR to start - Don't start without me though lol.
Just trying to find a way to contribute back to all the wonderful DGer's that have sent me so much
seeds and advice. Read a few posts on how there were those members who always do things for everyone else and was trying to
find a way to say thanks. Did you want to do this Ursula?

and since you can't "see" me, you can't see the twinkle in my eye and the friendly wag to my tail...
I am called "Jolly Joker Pansy" in another group because I never fail to see the bright side of everything - REALLY obnoxious that way :)
Danke Robin!

mindy

I could do it... unless you have some one lined up already?

So, please CaptMicha do it.

Twyla... sent ya some of the above mentioned tropicals I have and some hosta seeds too , to your envelope. : ) Have fun! Looks like you the first on the Robin and ya didn't have to do a thing heheheh. Good luck with em and if ya need a few more let me know.

Hope someone starts it. I have about ten packs of Tacca bats that gonna go batty if they don't fly soon. LOL

((((((Mindy))))))

Thanks for understanding.

No, I cannot host a RR because I am in South America and my country has very strict regulations about seed importing. Don't tell anybody, but I have done both: sneak seeds in and out the country, but not in such large quantities. Besides, my gardening space is limited to two large balconies LOL.

I'm wagging my tail back to you.

Ursula

Although I am not participating in any RR, if my vote counts: Michelle (CaptMicha) is a good candidate.

I will be watching the development of this project and contribute with some seeds as soon as the host is official.

I wish you all a lot of fun!

Ursula

You're the best Ursula! It's kind of hard to believe that your space is limited to only that amount of space. With all you've done with gardening, for davesgarden and seed giving, etc. I kind of imagined you living on acres of land!

Ursula bet you have the most beautiful balcony of any place!!! blessings... Twyla

Thanks Michelle. My dream is to live on a small piece of land I can call my own, walk barefoot in summer, and germinate/grow all the seeds I have accumulated and grow my own vegetables as well. Most of the plants I have grown from seeds so far have ended up in the gardens of friends and acquaintances (I always keep at least one for myself).

Twyla, I would not describe my balconies as beautiful, because they are too crowded LOL. However, each plant is precious to me. Most of them I grew from seeds. And when they bloom for the first time ...... it is one of the greatest feelings on earth!

Hugs,

Ursula

i know the feeling to.. its wonderful how you share..i hope all your wishes come true .. many blessings .. Twyla

Thanks Twyla, I wish you the same.

Ursula

Darn! Darn! And double darn! I finally find a RR just starting and I doubt I have anything rare enough to qualify!

But, I will list what I have that might be less common... don't count me out yet!


This message was edited Apr 8, 2005 6:27 PM

I'd love to join in but I don't think anyone would want any snail vine or Jap MG seeds.
Jan...

Are you kidding budgielover....?

Me kidding? Never......(he he)
Jan...

I think I may join, let me gather my seeds....


Back to the original question, in my dreams I’d like to see things like these show up every RR…..
- Unusual colors of common things like Zinnia "Envy" or “Tequila Lime”, Four O'Clocks "Limelight", Marigold "Moonlight", Marigold "French Vanilla", Marigold "Eskimo", Marigold "Snowdrift", Marigold "Sweet Cream", Marigold "Snowball”, Carnation "Black & White Minstrels", Carnation "King of the Blacks", Helenium "Autumn Lollipop", Rudbeckia "Green Wizard", Gaillardia “Sundance Bicolor”...
- Unusual vines like Passiflora...
-Unusual/flowering trees like Cornelian Cherry Dogwood, Strawberry Tree, Golden Chain tree,
-Unusual Herbs like Lemon Thyme, Lime Basil,
- Common but not often traded vines like Clitoria ternatea, Cobaea scandens, named Sweet Peas, Pink Fuzzybean, Mina lobata, Wood rose, Asarina, Rhodochiton...
- Unusual color/Peony Poppies
- Named Foxglove, Hollyhocks, Columbine, Delphinium, Evening Primrose,
- African Daisy (Osteospermum)
- Japanese Morning Glory
- Blue Shrimp Plant (Cerinthe major)
- Eyeball Plant (Spilanthes oleracea)
- English Daisy (Bellis perennis)
- Gazania in pink or striped, not plain orange
- Monkshood
- Scabiosa
- Bellflowers
- Rose or red Coreopsis, not plain yellow
- Fringed Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia)

I know I ask too much, it's just so disappointing to finally receive a Robin and there's 10 packets of common Coreopsis, 7 packets of common Marigold, 5 packets of common Rudbeckia, 4 packets common Shasta Daisy, common Purple Coneflower...
If you're going to dream, dream big!


This message was edited Apr 9, 2005 10:27 AM