Just jumping in with a quick note... my computer access will be pretty limited until my dead laptop gets fixed, but I'll do my best to backtrack and keep up with what people have requested from me.
La, those 'Medusa' peppers are so cute... and I think somebody told me they were tasty, too? If so, I'm definitely interested! Pepper plants are perfect additions to a sunny border, so the more varieties the better! 'Filus Blue' is a gorgeous one, also. And I don't think we can have too many PKO salvias in our gardens, so toss those in whether or not I get seeds from mine!
Here's what I've been doing/thinking in terms of putting people's names on packets, and I think it'll work out OK... I've got labels for my seed packets (slips of paper that I put inside the little zip top bags), and I'll either put a sticker on the opposite side of the seed baggie or I'll write a penciled name on the back side of the label. I'll also put the "designated" seeds into a bundle that's separate from the other seeds for the swap. That said, it's still a good idea to include a note to Suzie that says "Critter's not-chocolate daisies" etc.
Spectacular 2007 Cottage Garden Seed Swap#2
LOL, Wrightie!
Susan/Soulgardenlove, I haven't counted, but I have gotten 2 dmails from people who were nervous because their names weren't on the list above (way above), so maybe I should go through and take a head count and make a list or something. When I received the dmails, I was really, really busy with other things, so I didn't have time, but things have eased up & I could have time later today or tomorrow.
From what I've seen, about 20% of the people who sign up don't actually send seeds to a big swap like this. I think it will be interesting to get an actual percentage.
Critter, the baggie is a great idea...no mistaking names if you go that route.
I had another thought about the seed packs and wanted people to know that there can be other things on the seed pack besides these 4 things...Latin name, height, color & your dg name. Those 4 things would be a minimum. For instance, whether it is an annual, perennial or biennial, the zone, if it's good for butterflies, likes water, shade or sun, or even sowing instructions. Stuff like that is fine. More than fine.
Suzy
I'm still voting for a new thread where eveyone posts their "haves" and "wants" and leave questions and comments on this thread - I have no idea who has what at this point and it seems like it could only help Suzy....
Hee hee -- All of my haves are on the other thread, anyway.
We can start another thread, but only the wishes that are listed on paper and included in the seed envies count, is that fair? (I helped pack one day on the giant coop with ferns & hellebores and the hostess had to keep leaving the packing area to get back to her computer to scroll for changes and additions and it was a real time-consuming chore.)
Only post things that you are sending a lot of. I have a feeling that for every person posting, there is another person taking down notes. I would hate for soulgardenlove to send in 4 packs of rose campion because 4 people said they wanted it, and then get 6 people requesting it, and I think that's a very real possibility.
Let me start another thread.
Suzy
Yes, I vote for a Haves/Wants only thread *and* we must include our information on a note to you as well. I'm being pulled in a hundred directions these days and simply will not be able to comb through these threads looking for details. Sorry.
I forgot to include my list of wants in my package and several people have put my name on things so I am sorry that I did not follow instructions as they were laid out. I know how hard it is to redistribute seeds and get them going in a timely matter. I will try to do better next time.
I am glad that I was one of the early ones or I would really feel bad. Thank you for doing this for us.
Peggy
Here is the link to the have/want thread that Suzy started http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/778726/
Anyone have snow- on -the -mountain. the annual tall euphorbia ? Blooms in the fall green with white edges.
soulgardenlove, your in the $$$
all packed...I'll pass them on to Suzy :)
Peggy, I will probably have you totally covered because I think peple will still put the "to" on the envies or stick them in a baggie or something, especially if they responded back when you said "I want that". I don't know, but I think it will be ok.
I *do* know that Weezingreens probably won't be putting anybody's name on her seeds, so it will be up to each of you to identify which of hers you want. It will be a stretch for her to get them in on time, anyway, and she doesn't want much back, so I'm not going to rock the boat.
Gus, I don't have any Euphorbia like that, but I grew it last year and loved it as cut flower -- lasts forever, but it was hard to match with stuff, so I didn't grow it again this year.
Rachel, Thanks for the link. I was in a hurry.
Suzy
Thanks Wind :)
Suzy, yes I'm sure people do sign up for a swap and are not able to follow through. It happened to me last year and I was very embarrased. Personal things come up and enivitably things happen.. which is why I hesitated at first with this swap, but I'm totally "in" and the proof is that I'm keeping tabs on it all and I've already sent out 5 trades today, so I'm good for it! I just wanted to have a rough estimate so that I could guestimate how many packs to send out :)
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4065585
:)
Susan
Suzy, I just mailed out mine to you...I had to do it in two envelopes, I sent in two return add labels, two times everything etc ~ anyway the lady at the post office cracked up and had to pull out her glasses to see the zip code of your address...you said write it small !!! ;)
Oh, wait, I didn't mean to imply anything about the 20%! Just that I'm not worried about the number of people.
On a BIG swap, it doesn't matter if somebody's a day or two late, it doesn't matter if somebody drops out. It doesn't even matter if somebody comes along on Oct 27 and asks to be in, because no one is depending on anybody's particular seeds. I'd compare it to the differences between a sit down dinner party where you have a table set for 12 compared to an open house with a buffet dinner and a stack of plates. Yes, we'd be disappointed if "_____'s Flaming Orange Parrot Zinnia" seeds didn't show up, but it wouldn't be the end of the world.
Here's a list of some things that I haven't seen anybody talk about that are pretty cottagey:
Big Betony
Campanula
China Asters
Touch me not (Balsam Impatiens)
Regular Impatiens
Annual Phlox
Helenium
and Soulgardenlove mentioned Gazania
I'm sure there are more, but those are what I'd be looking for. Oh, and red annuals. red to reddish purple. I'm going to give my red bed one more shot next year before going to pinks and purples.
Suzy
Suzy, I have the tall Phlox - I think it's called summer Phlox? that I wasn't going to put in only because I only have about 6 seeds, but you're totally welcome to it if you like, nothing necessary in return. I also have a red Dianthus pack from TM that I never got the chance to sow, it's packed for 2007.
This might be the Phlox - it's about 36" tall with pinkish-purple blooms, none of the white as is shown in this pic.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/81015/
This message was edited Oct 9, 2007 8:50 PM
Pc, That is so nice. Thanks, but I was talking this one:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1094/
But then I got looking at these..... theyre just the creeping &/or woodland Phlox.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/973/
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2618/
I love the scent of Phlox -- any of it, all of it.
Wind, I'll look for both of them...just curious, why 2 packages? Er, are there *that* many seeds????
Suzy
Hi Suzy - thought I'd check in & show a little sign of life here. I too have a "house-is-a-wreck" situation going on here - am blaming it on fooling around with seeds and getting everything in before a possible frost this coming Friday or Saturday night, but there's always a good book...
Critter - would love some of those Pickle Pepper seeds - next spring sounds very enticeable - I may have something unusual for you too
Suzy, I'm not expecting as many seeds as I send and will be sending in some for Kathy, too. I'll get back with my haves/wants list.
Dylan, it was moi that brought up those cute little fuzzy snaps. The one I grew from last February's wintersowing has survived the morning glory trouncing, but it was too grumpy to produce flowers and seed whilst being smothered. Unfortunately, I gave away the extra seed. It came from the seed exchange at http://www.nargs.org/ . There were very few seeds, but wintersowing did the trick: http://www.wintersown.org/ . I prepared my recycled qt-size yogurt container per directions on that site and then sprinkled half of the dust-like seeds on top. The whole business seemed very dubious, but sure worked better than sowing warm and fussy indoors where damp-off fungus is always lurking.
Someone asked how to save seed of pentas, and I would love some tips on that too.
I harvested a few Brazilian Black & Blue seeds last year, and it seemed like those seeds fell to the ground almost as soon as they turned brown & fat. I wouldn't wait for the calyxes to turn brown - just patrol regularly and look for the tell-tale brown color of seed. I'll have to ask Gerris2 if the plant I sent him last fall wintered stored like dahlia tubers in peat moss - I've heard it can be done, since B&B's roots make fat tubers.
karen
I'm going to have seeds of white cat's whiskers
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2085/
They have a pod like salvias, with one or two seeds in there, and when they're dry, that pod is shrink-wrapped around the seed. Is it okay if I send it pod and all? It's my first year with this plant - I love it with it's dark green foliage and white pagoda flowers - so I've never planted the seed.
Budbloom
I would love some of your white cat's whiskers, seed pod and all! Rachel
me to , on the cat whiskers,I think my Grandma use to grow them , she called them by the same name and I remember her showing me the bloom. I never knew the Latin name ...now I know why... who could pronounce THAT.
Hi Suzy, sorry I just happened to have alot of that particular size envelope here and didn't think I would get out to a staples in time to buy one large size one. I suppose I could have 'stuffed' them into the one. Well you'll see it soon. You can just send me back only one if you have to, but I included postage to cover both. I sent in 26 pkg of asst seeds :) I didn't post everything because it was mostly 2 of this 2 of that etc.
I have capanula, helenium and balsam but I've never looked for seeds from them before, I'll go out today and look, if I missed them this yr surely next season. if I can gather any I will for you, and send them ~ sort of like a 'hostess gift'!
~Diana
budbloom, I've wanted cat's whiskers for years!!!!!!!!........I'm interested too please if you get enough seed :) I already sent my list to Suzy though. I knew about the burgundy color one but I bet the white is pretty neat too. It is a really interesting and unusual plant. How do you grow yours? I imagine you bring it in for the winter.
ooops...just viewed your link and I was thinking of the 'bat plant'
http://www.parkseed.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10101&catalogId=10101&langId=-1&mainPage=prod2working&ItemId=8076&scChannel=Top%20Ten%20Main
I never knew about 'cats whiskers' I'm still interested ~ luv it too
This message was edited Oct 10, 2007 8:21 AM
Okay, I finally made a list of the participants and it's not as bad as I thought -- LOL! 28 participants, plus Jordankittyjo who wI'm going to do a little "spot lifting" to make a little envie for.. Here's the list. If you happen to notice your name isn't on it, let me know. It's just an oversight.
Suzy
Bluespiral
Budbloom
Caitlinsgarden
Cat64129
Cattjovi
Charlenesplants
Critterologist
Distantkin
Dylancgc
Garden6
Gardengus
Grampapa
Greenjay
Illoquin
Lala_Jane
Maozamom
Margaran
Pagancat ala Wrightie
Pamsue
PrimroseSue
Rachierabbit
Raeben
Seandor
Smokey_SC
Soulgardenlove
Weezingreens
Wind
Wrightie
**JordanKittyJo (Get Well seeds see http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4026600)
Wind, I can try to catch it when it gets here and add cat's whiskers to your list. I'm glad you didn't list everything -- otherwise there wouldn't be any surprises at all!
Budbloom, Yes, go ahead and send them shrink wrapped :) Sometimes when a plant does that, it's for a reason -- to keep the seed from getting too dry before it germinates. At least that's what I'm saying now because I think we want those seeds whether they are clean or not, but other seeds that are more common need to be cleaner. :)) Hey! Ya gotta have some standards!
Bluespiral -- Glad you popped in and good to hear you didn't take us off "watch" status :)
Suzy
Gardengus - LOL I have you down for cat's whiskers (aka orthosiphon aristatus). Also Rachel for you too. Please save some of your beautiful foxgloves for me:-) And Wind, I'll mark some for you.
Suzy, thanks for cutting me some slack on the whiskers. By the way, these plants are still blooming well, so I hope to have more than 5 or 6 packets to send in. They grew to 4 or 5 feet here, but maybe that's cuz I'm in the Deep South :o)
Thanks Suzy and budbloom!!
...budbloom... you say 4-5'???? wow....is it possible to post a photo? DG has it listed as 18-24". What kind of exposure and soil is yours in? I might have to plant it along with my burgundy amaranth and red okra-now I'm even more curious about it.
I have a seed question: I know we are not trading tomato seeds but how would one save the seeds? I have a cherry tomato from last yr that came back in our compost pile and I'm trying to save the seeds figuring it is not a hybrid.
Yes, Wind, maybe higher. I went out and took a picture. They're in a raised bed that's 1' high. When I started this bed last fall, we got some compost from the town and mixed it with topsoil and everything in that bed is outsized. If you can see, the plant growing out of the top of the picture is a duranta. I gotta have more of this compost! But in another bed near it the cat's whiskers are about 2 to 3 feet tall. They start out erect but spread out later and cover all other plants, so give them some room.
Peggy
Wind, there's a great tutorial from Horseshoe on saving tomato seeds... should be a link in the resource sticky at the top of the tomato forum, but LMK if you can't find it.
Bluespiral, I've made a note about your wanting Sweet Pickles pepper seeds. If you want, remind me in March and I'll start a few extra plants for you, too. :-)
And.. frost?? what frost? We just returned from the NC beach... I'd better check that local forecast again!
You've got it, Pamsue. I would love some of your pink/peach hollyhocks.
Budbloom I put an extra pack of foxglove in with your name on it :0)
How many people are looking for basil? I have some. I think it's cinnamon basil.. I got my basil plants mixed up. It can't be Red Rubin because it doesn't have the purple leaves. and the Thai Siam Queen plants are shorter. The only other one it might be is Magical Michael. But I'm pretty sure it's cinnamon. I'll probably have Thai Siam but not in time for the swap.
Suzy, I have 5 specific requests for the Lauren's Grape poppy. I was going to send 10 packs of those. Do you think I should send more? It's been very popular.
Gram I'm interested in trying some basil . I have only grown the plain type before, for cooking.
soulgardenlove...while looking up ''real'' names ,saw you have huskers red penstemon on a wanted list will be sending some seeds , will mark some for you? ok ?
This message was edited Oct 11, 2007 12:31 PM
Gram, I grew poppies for the first time this year and I couldn't believe how absolutely gorgeous they were. Seriously...they were beyond anything I had hoped for. One of the things I did was direct sow them right before a snowfall in late Feb-early March and I SOWED THEM THINLY, AND SPREAD THEM OUT over a wide area. It gave each plant more room to grow, and spread the color over a nice, broad area. The plants died in July and they aren't attractive when they go down, but since they were not concentrated inone area, it was ok because other things had the sunshine to be able to grow up around them.
Gram, the answer is that everybody needs poppies :) Send as many as you can.
Frost? What frost? LOL! I checked weather.com before I started typing this post because you scared me so much, but we're safe for 10 days it appears. Whew!
Suzy
Check again the noon report said some spotty frost tomorrow night,Of course if you live in town it is always a couple deg warmer.Good luck I'm rushing around trying to find space for some 80 or so house plants.
I'm home again and back in the garden! :-)
I checked the basils, and the only one I'm sure I'll have in time for the swap is my Italian (genovese type). I let a few plants start setting seeds early for this one to be sure of having a supply, since it's my very favorite basil for pesto and sauce. Just now, I harvested enough seeds for at least a dozen packets at 1/8 tsp per packet.
The other basil stems are just starting to change color, and I probably won't have enough time to get those seeds harvested, dried, and dechaffed in time for the swap. But if the weather etc. cooperates, I should have a good selection available for trading and hopefully enough to do a SASBE offer again this winter. :-)
Gram,
Would love some of your cinnamon basil!
Suzy when some one asks specifically for something I'm sending would you like me to mark their names on the outside of the envie? I have no problem sending special requests in a seperate baggie, or labeling them differently, or doing whatever is necessary to make this easier for you. You are going to so much trouble that whatever I can do on my end to make it go smoother is the least I can do.