You're welcome! I'm sure there are several other blooms that attract them as well ;0)
Spectacular 2007 Cottage Garden Seed Swap#2
Attracting them is different than being a food source for the caterpillars. Milkweed is the only thing Monarch cats will eat, the only thing Monarch cats CAN eat.
If you want the butterflies in real hoards, you have to grow their preferred caterpillar food source as well as the butterfly nectar. Each different butterfly, and moth for that matter, has a fairly specific list of cat foods and preferred nectar plants.
Suzy
Well, I have one small field in front of my sister's place that probably will remain ungrazed, so I'll make it a butterfly place as best as I can. It'll be kinda tough - it was a hayfield, so there will be a fair amount of competition.
I just feel bad for taking down habitat, so I'll try to remediate it a bit.
That's nice, PC.
I received in my first batch of seeds from Distantkin ysterday. Everything was well marked and well packed, and they were alll so CUTE!
Suzy
Yeah - that's me, heh .... nice...
(No one tell her how evil I really am, shhh)
Given how many people have joined, should I send more than 10 packages of seeds?
Grampapa,
I'd like to try the obedient plant if you have enough seeds. Anything that makes the butterflies dance.
Maggie
Oh jeeze I haven't even read 1/2 of this thread(s) but I had to hurry up and skip to the end to see if you were still taking new people in the swap. (I really couldn't see any sense in reading all the way through to see what everyone has if I'm too late to join). :-P
La
Maggie and everyone, I have TONS of seeds from the physostegia (obedient plant). Pagancat, I just planted them this year, but I suspect they could be invasive because of the amount of seed. But they seem like they would be easy to deadhead. I didn't because I wanted the seeds. I was willing to take a chance on them because they are just so darn pretty :0) I'll send a lot.
ooooh, I can't wait...cute seed packs. I'm working on mine this morning.
Suzy, this swap is just so much fun. The best yet. You are a doll for doing this! My DH is even excited about it. He can't believe what I grew from seed this year...just wait til next spring!!
ps, Maggie, I'll D-mail in the spring for cuttings of the A. curavassica if that's ok. thanks for the generous offer! I'm really trying to build my b'fly habitat and this is more of a sure thing than seeds :0)
Oh, Lala Jane, of course you can join!
Get reading!
Gram, you don't have to decorate the packs...but you know that, right? Distankin's were cute because they were all the same, and had all the information and, I don't know, they were just cute. But they weren't decorated.
Suzy
Grampapa,
Good, I might even be able to figure out red from yellow and send you both b y then.
Maggie
Suzy, thanks,0 I know that :0) any little packets of seeds are cute LOL I'm just excited.
Maggie, great. If you can't tell one from the other, just send some from different plants. if they turn out to be the same color, that's ok. the b'flies will still like them.
Yay! Thank you for having me Suzy. I've made it through part one, and as soon as I read this entire thread I'll try to assemble a list of what I'll have to offer and see where everyone's intersts lie.
La
Well, I WAS going to harvest my Purple Dome and Alma aster seeds today and try to get them ready, but it's raining. I'm not complaining, we need the rain. Just wanting to get this pkg mailed. I have the others all ready to go. Oh well, maybe it'll dry up enough tomorrow.
Wow, this has been like going through a seed catalog! Quite a few of the things I have to offer have already been mentioned, but I'll throw my list in the hat anyway.
I think Critter has most of the ornamental peppers covered, but I do have some Medusa and some Philius Blue if anyone would be interested. I also have tons of the Purple Amaranth and Rose Queen Cleome. I have 2 differenf Nicotianas, the Perfume Mix and the tall white Peace Pipe. I have Painted Tongue and 2 different Speedwells (Royal Blue and Red Fox). If Critters Purple Knockout Salvia is not ready I have already harvested a few of those seeds and I also have some Orange Profussion zinnia to offer as well as the Purple Prince. Oh, and I just finished cleaning some Lemon Balm. I almost forgot the seed I have from the lavender poppy. I'm afraid I don't know anything about it though as it was a freebie with an Ebay purchase.
Now here is what I'm hoping to luck out with. :D
I'm hoping that Critters basils will seed before the deadline, and I'd also like to try her sweet pickle peppers and not chocolate daisy daisies. I love all daliahs (although I prefer seperate colors as opposed to mixes) and would love some of Suzys coral. If Wz has plenty of the great bellflower seed I have a spot all picked out and I'd also like to give Budbloom's Grey-headed Coneflower a go. I'm drooling over Pamsue's coral somniferum poppy and I never met a phlox or a verbena I didn't like.
Oh my I hope that didn't come off sounding too greedy. Those aren't the seeds I expect to receive, just the ones that I admire? Does that sound better? LOL
Naw, You're fine Lala Jane. Put it all into a note for me and include it with your seeds.
Cat, you have until October 31, so just let the rain come and go and pack them when it's dry. Or should I say let them dry and then pack them? Well, you know what I mean....you have a lot of time yet.
Suzy
A reminder to all:
These are to be 2007 fresh seeds unless you are sending them as extras and don't expect a 1-for -1 trade on them. No traditional veggies, except pickling peppers. :)).
Make sure you include the following 4 items on each seed pack:
Latin name
Height
Color
Your DG Name.
In an envelope large enough to accomodate as many seeds as you sent, plus some that might come in as extra, include these 4 things:
• enough loose postage, plus another stamp
• Your seed packs that are properly labeled
• a return address piece of paper, sticker, or whatever
• a note to me with what seeds you would like in return for your seeds. I really, really want this note, and I haven't gotten one in the 3 sets of seeds I've received! In the note can be a list of specific things, yes, but also a general idea:
"pinks & purples"
"under 24"
"Send some cottage flowers like Hollyhocks, foxglove and Cleome"
"Tall"
"Oranges & blues"
"easy to grow from seed"
"I have full, hot, burning sun"
"perennial"
"something that would look good against a white house"
"cut flowers"
"send anything"
"potluck, but no green flowers"
"anything cottage-y"
"try to get me some warm colors, corals, roses, pinks, salmons"
"send at least half the seeds for part to mostly shade"
I don't care what you write, but I really would like you to be happy and let me know some general kinds of things you'd like, or some things I definitely should not send.
Optional:
• a list of the seeds you're sending. This isn't critical, except as we get to Oct 25, 26th and later, I'll need you to do it, so I don't have to spend the time.
If you are sending seeds for a particular person, I am afraid I will mess up and not really take the time, and by that I mean be able to take the time, to read every seed pack thoroughly. It is going to be very difficult to get that person's name on the label without me thinking the seeds came from that person. And if I think they came from that person, the only person who wouldn't get the seed pack is the very person it is supposed to go to! Oh, it's too hard to explain, but I think it might be better on your note to put a list of the things you hope to get back. "PamSue's Double coral poppies." "Critter's mango peppers.", "Lala Jane's Lemon Balm". Like that. So I know right where to go for them. (Whose envelope to reach for, I mean.) Use DG names. Have I confused you?
It's not that I will need an extra 41c stamp for every person, but what I'm running into is:
Person A: who sends 50 packs of seeds, all packed in clear plastic ziplocs with teeny tiny stickers typed with the plant name, etc.
Person B: Sends in 50 packs of seeds, all packed in giant paper homemade envelopes, with a big sticker on each one. Her bubble envie is bigger, and that adds ever more weight.
The difference in weight is DOUBLE on Person B's because the paper envies weigh so much more. The person sending in the plastic envies also can get by with a much smaller bubble envie, so I might have trouble getting 50 packs back in her envelope if 50% of the seed packs for the swap are in paper.
Then might be a Person C who sends in 30 extra packs of seed.
I just need some flexibility in the return postage, but 25c might do it, I just don't know yet. I've gotten seeds from 3 different people and if I can generalize, I would say the seeds packs are all either very adequately, or generously packed (no skinny packs of seeds), so that's good. And also, there is a broad variety, which is something I didn't really expect so early on. I thought there would be a lot of duplicates.
For now I am d mailing people as I get their seeds; if it becomes too time consuming, I'll post here instead. I'll just do the best I can do, and everyone will be thrilled with what they get! cough-cough.
Suzy
Hey Suzy,
First I have to say thank you so much for taking this on! It seems like you're bending over backwards to please everyone and boy am I impressed. I also want to say that I'm a rule-following-no-wave-making-kind of girl.
Now having said that....
The one thing I don't get is the part about determining how many seeds to a packet based on seed size. In your first post you said The rule of thumb per pack is 10-15 large seeds, 25 medium seeds, 50 med small seeds and 100 small seeds. Why would I need to put in more seed just because they are smaller? For instance with my veronical....the seeds are microscopic and I think I'd have to shake down the whole plant (under a magnifying glass) to get enough for just one or 2 envies if I had to put 100 of them in a packet. And besides....who would want 100 Red Fox Speedwells anyway? LOL! That part doesn't make sense to me. A seed is a seed no matter what it's size. (I just got off work after my first night on the midnight shift and boy is my brain fuzzy. I'm I just being a dork here?)
just my two cents...but I like extra of the tiny seeds say for instance, nicotiana, because I get a patch of seedlings that come up then I have to thin them out big time. They are so small I couldn't possibly select 1,2 or 3 per pot.
Yes, I was going by other swaps I've been in, plus the commercial seed packets, themselves, where you get 15 Nasturtium seeds, but 100 (or more)Snapdragon seeds.
But you're right on the Perennials....100 would be a lot of any one kind unless youre doing a long driveway, in which case you'd expect to have to get more than one pack. I would say, though, that it's easier to kill the small seedlings that come up from the tiny seed than it is to kill, say a datura, 4:00, or Zinnia which come up from large or medium seeds. Perennials grow slower, which here at my house translates to more opportunities for death, and they are also harder to transplant, so there is some kill factor, there, too.
On the Veronica, a commercial pack from T&M is 50-60 seeds, but you make it sound like 50 is way too many, too. What about 40?
Suzy
I didn't count my seeds, well... some of the big ones I did because I have small zipoc bags, but the smaller ones I didn't. I just put in the package what i thought would be an adequate amount and tried not to be stingy. Those tiny seeds, forget it, I am not going to count out a 100 seeds, just getting them cleaned was a big enough job. I just dump some in the envelope and hope it is enough. I tend to dump more if I have lots of that kind.
Same here. I put what I thought was a generous amount in and left it at that. So far, none of mine have been large seeds. And the asters (IF they ever dry up enough to harvest!!) are going to be a chore. I'm sure there will be some chaff left with them but I'll put entra in to compensate and label it as such.
Yes, yes, and yes. That's what I do, but long ago I actually counted out 100 seeds and it was nothing. I think a little pinch must be 300 seeds of those tiny ones. Needless to say, once I saw what it looked like once, I guessed the amounts on the rest of the 1000s of packages I've made since.
All the packs that have been sent in are fine, so don't stress about it. It's just that I've never been in a swap where somebody doesn't ask 'How many seeds to a pack?" and I thought I'd head them off :)) Guess I should have waited for the question -- maybe no one would have asked. :)
This place is a wreck and we hardly have any dishes left. (They're filed with seeds.) I am desperately trying to get my seeds dried and packed. I have so many more on the hoof, so to speak, I sure hope they ripen and get dried in time.
Suzy
P.S. If anybody has any ideas for a job in Chicago for my dd, please dmail me. (Economics Major wants to work in industry as opposed to fashion) She needs to get paid enough to pay the rent. YIKES! It is expensive up there!
Great input everyone thanks! I really wasn't trying to be difficult, I just couln't wrap my brain around why the size made a difference on the count (newbie trader here). Of course with some flowers like nicotaina or petunia all you have to do is break open one pod voila and you've got 50-100 seeds. Some of those other ones are real bears though.
I too am beginning to feel like seed cleaning is a 2nd career for me. I have spent HOURS on those $#@& veronica seeds and I think there's still as much chaff as there is seed in the packets. I'm really relieved to hear that's acceptable. Ahhh the joy of gardening!
Suzy.. I don't know if your keeping track but I didn't see my name at the top of the original post.. I'm doing it.
I also have these seeds:
Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate Persicaria orientalis http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/780/
Black eyed Susan Rudbeckia
Rose Campion Lychnis coronaria http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/80
Hibiscus moscheutos 'Blue River II' http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/40888/
Purple Cleome http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/6/
I may be able to collect Gateway Joe Pye Weed
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/57520/
If there is enough interest, can I send more then 10 packs of the Kiss me over the Garden Gate??.. I just don't think many people grow it, I have lots of seed and I'm thinking you wont be slammed with this seeds type :) It's a great tall cottage plant.
:)
Susan
This message was edited Oct 8, 2007 7:00 PM
I think most of us realize how hard is it to get "ALL" the chaff out wih tiny seeds Jane. I try to get out what I can, and if there's some left, will label the pkgs or tell the person I am sending it to that it includes some chaff. And send double to amount! No one has complained yet.
Susan, I'm interested in the k. me over the g.gate; hibiscus blue river and your Joe pye weed if you can harvest any :)
~Diana
Okay good deal.. I put your name on the seed packs right??
Please list your too when you can!
:)
Susan
ohhhhhhhh and Gaillardia.. I have Lots of Gaillardia seeds! :)
Blanket Flower, Indian Blanket
Gaillardia x grandiflora
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/69/
Susan
Diana, I'd love some money plant seeds :)
Thanks
:)
Susan
SGL, that's a great idea about the KMOTGG. I still have some seeds left from last year. I cannot remember if they need to be fresh seeds or not - would you happen to know? If so, I'll put that on my Wish List.
Good.. glad you think so! This is my first year growing them and I go them at a garden club auction... Nobody else knew what they were! :) I read that they need to be cold treated if you are sowing in spring. I think wintersowing would be fine for these seeds.. I don't know if your seeds would be good?? And once you get one plant, you will have all the seeds you ever need! I can certainly (and will) put your name on a pack :)
Susan
I have one plant which is blooming now, but it was such a bad year, mine never got more than a foot or two high. I haven't seen any evidence of seed pods yet, but will keep my eyes peeled.
They do require cold treatment - I think I threw mine in the fridge for a few weeks last Winter. They then took forever to germinate, but I'm glad that I didn't lose my patience as it's a groovy plant. Next year they will go in a Full Sun position instead of Part...
I wanted to jump in here and say, yes, Fresh 2007 seeds only for this swap.
Pam, you don't have to post a list.
The recipient puts down the seed on their wishlist. Use a name like: "soulgardenlove's KMOTGG"
The sender doesn't write the recipient's name unless it is VERY, VERY clearly written. As in I want to be able to glance at it and see who it is from and who it is for..
None of us wants to wait 30 days for return seed, right? I will be sorting these really fast. That's the easy part. Then it comes time to "tweak" and that's where I will run into trouble.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4060129
Suzy
No worries, I'm not sending in anything but Fresh seeds, but I still wonder if KMOTGG germinates only with fresh seeds. Does anyone know? I'm trying to decide whether to sow last year's seeds or request some of SGL's stash. I would imagine that I should be fine with last year's...
Year old Kisses? I would think *not*.
LOL!!
Oh, I've had worse kisses than that, PC. I've got very low standards.
hee hee hee!
How many participants now Suzy?
:)