Are you a seed thief?

I never leave home without my "snatching kit". Most people aren't interested in seeds and it would be a pity to let them go to waste. I also 'harvest' in public parcs, nurseries (they don't use the seeds but take cuttings), along the road. Everywhere, actualy.

I'm an addict, I admit!

Pretty much everywhere I think you're allowed to trim off parts of your neighbors' plants that hang over into your yard (as long as what you do doesn't kill their plant in the process)

Reading these threads was so much fun! lol ! I, too, am a seed thief (and I thought I was all alone out there!) tee hee! Went to Biltmore House one year - their Black Hollyhocks had seedpods all over them. I coveted them...so I grabbed a couple pods and stuck them in my pocket. They have grown beautifully and I've shared them with many other avid gardeners. That was the only time for me...but these replies have opened up a whole new world of thought!

I don't consider that a theft, but an act of love! Don't you?

oh too funny. My sis called me and said her jade plants had babies. I was thinking that probably did not happen then I remembered that when I was there I dropped some mother of thousand babies in her jade plant pots from a walk in the neighborhood! She laughed and potted them up. I also travel with a trowel in the trunk of my car for those abandoned homesteads with the great survivors. I also once got into an ethical discussion with my hubby about taking cutting from the cemetery. He is still horrified. I told him I would be pleased if someone took home cuttings and loved a plant that was growing near me!

I collected a few seeds from a local waterwise garden, I don't really see it as stealing, just assisting nature, they're just going to get eaten by birds or blow away and likely not grow wherever they land. And IT WAS A WATERWISE garden so I'm helping to spread the message of water conserveation!

This message was edited Mar 30, 2008 12:58 PM

This may be justification reasoning, but I see seed and cutting collecting as a definite service to the plant world. I will not collect anything that is threatened or protected and I have even tried to assist wild plants by sowing some of their seeds nearby where they are. I try to respect other peoples gardens but sometimes my sticky plant fingers get the best of me. I draw the line at going into peoples yards though, so don't worry lol. If your plants hang over the sidewalks, or fences they are fair game for seed taking!

Assisting nature, my thought exactly!

On Sunday, my DH and I had an impromptu picnic in the car, the weather was lovely. Anyway, we parked near the sandwich joint, just the two of us, it was so romantic...sigh
Anyway, as I ate my sandwich, I started looking about and right there, in front of my very eyes, by the side of the highway, was a beautiful lavender butterfly bush. It was gorgeous although it had obviously been hit by lightening during a recent tornado/storm.
The poor lil darlin' had volunteers about her skirts.
She was like any mother as she spoke to me urging the Great Plant Adoption (GPA).
She said, and I quote, Lady, forget about me, I'm strong, I'll be OK, but will you be kind enough to take care of my babies, please? Perhaps one can find a home with you and your DH. ya think?
Well, what else could I do? Of course, I obliged, giving into her wish and one of her babies is in front of our home. I hope I don't let her or her baby down for I am committed to doing my part in the GPA.
(there were about a dozen others there, this was not theft, this was an adoption, a release from one loving mom to another)


This message was edited Apr 1, 2008 12:12 AM

aww...sniff....that is so sweet! I was driving home from work one day and saw a man and woman on the side of the highway digging up a lovely reddish shrub that had volunteered. I was so jealous!

Man, are we plant lovers saints or what? I, too, have "adopted" a number of plants from tragic circumstances - like abandoned gas stations, dumpsters and along the roadways. But I say, why stop there. Shouldn't we consider pruning our neighbors plants when they are on vacation, thinning out overgrown parking lot plantings or stopping to smell (or pick) the roses wherever we encounter them? There will be no end to our good deeds. Thank goodness for people like us!!!

Chris

'Xactly! Bravo for gardeners!

Oh, I feel so at home here! Finally people who onderstand......

Yes, the GPA is perfect for people like us!
That is such a nice story Misty, I've had many a plant call out to me for help...

I never thought when I posted this thread in October that I would get so many wonderful stories. I guess I have officially hit the "crazy old gardener" stage at the tender age of 29! My father in law has been known to take cuttings when walking through Lowe's or Menard's. He even gave me some to me one time. Aren't people funny when it comes to plants? I hope everyone enjoys their new babies this spring and fall!

You people are too much! I had to change my britches I was laughing so hard! Thanks for all the great ideas! My seed snatching days have only yet begun.........

I work at Disney World .......enough said!!!!!

Watch it mike...We'll all get jealous and expect you to hook us up, LOL! Do those ear-shaped things need cold stratification??;->

LOL...Lucky you to work at Disney World. Oh my...that would be like having a diamond thief work at a jewelry store if it was me!

Lets put it this way I have a great variety of plants on my property. amazing what they dig up and compost also when they change the planting beds.....Flower and garden festival at Epcot now OH>>>MY>>
goto go to work ....lets see baggies knife ok see ya....lol

Daggone it, mike! There you go again!!! ouch! I'm going to tell myself that none of it would be hardy here, lol!

I have to tell myself the same thing.....that "it's not hardy" "it's not hardy" "it's not hardy" .....It must be amazing to get all those plants and seeds!!! Hope you're having fun at work Mike!

How To Visit Disney
While everyone is running about with their cameras trying their level best to get a picture with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, you, yes, you, Dear Reader, search for a different thrill. You, the DG'er make it your business to introduce yourself, with a hearty handshake to the hardworking Tenders of the Tilth.
Say something friendly to melt the ice, after all you want the Tenders of the Tilth to grasp one concept quickly and benignly, (is that a word?) The concept? Disney = Sharing.
Introduce yourself and say, "Hi, I'm a flower lover too, I cannot believe the amount of money I've put into landscaping my humble abode." Put your hand to your forehead and feign a sigh. "If I didn't love plants so, I believe I could have gotten here (style a dramatic wave about the Park) that much sooner..."
There, now you've got them eating out of your green little hand, go a step further. Ask a question demonstrating your interest, for example, "Does Disney recycle plants?" or "I've never seen that cultivar or species before, how do I acquire one? Does Disney have plants in any of its stores?"
Aha, now you've got their attention, you've shown an interest in their work and you've used a real garden term (cultivar or species. Impressive.)
Suddenly, what was just another mundane day at work is exciting because YOU care about plants. You've turned them on, you rock!
As a further bonding mechanism, say, "You all must work soooo hard to keep the plants flourishing as they do." (Emphasis on the word so)
After raking in all of your well intentioned, complimentary remarks, perhaps said employee will suggest you take home a cutting or handful of seeds courtesy of Disney, of course.

If not, what the heck, you gave it the old college try.

And look, Mickey is free, go snap that shot.
Be careful not to drop the cutting. ;)

LOL,
Misty

This message was edited Apr 5, 2008 7:16 PM

Fantastic, MistyPetals!!!!

I almost fell out of my seat! Too bad I hadn't thought of that last year when my sister went with her family or when my husband was down there for a business trip........the scheming is endless :)

I've never been to Disney Land :( But now I know it has double the fun! Amusements plus FREE seeds/plants! What more could we ask for?

Great story Misty! "Disney = Sharing" HAHAHAHAHHA

Steven

I'm glad you liked the story, thanks for your remarks, My imagination is vivid, to say the least. (LOL)

A Tender of Residential Tilth (my own) Who Likes to Spin Stories

I am pretty sure my Disney ticket said...Good for one admission and discreet taking of plant cuttings. Must have been the deluxe ticket....

If anyone goes to Universal Studios, go on the Behind the Seeds Tour.

Here is some info I copied from a website:

"Behind the Seeds: Take a walking tour of the "Living with the Land" attractions. Explore various areas within the greenhouse and techniques used for raising crops. You'll take part in a herb/spice sensory challenge, veggie taste test, fish feeding, lady bug release and don't forget the alligators! You'll be give a seed to sprout in your pocket. Who knows, by using the gardening tips you'll get, it may grow into one of those gigantic specimens you'll see on this tour.

All ages are welcome with strollers provided for little ones. ECV users must transfers to a manual wheelchair. Cameras and videotaping are welcome."

I went to Universal Studios and went on this tour - it was great fun! Although...that seed sprouting in my pocket tickled a bit...darn, the whole thing grew a foot by the end of the day...and most people just use potting soil...

Sorry. I'm an English major, in case no one guessed. And I couldn't resist commenting on that "seed sprouting in the pocket" phrase.

And, you know that one seed isn't enough. I begged a few more from the tour guide. Coffee, cotton, etc. seeds.

As many as my pockets could handle.

No doubt they were HUGE pockets!

LOL

As a newbie to the forum I would like to say, "Finally, people who get it!" I work for a major corporation with a beautiful garden. Security cameras et al, I take the risk and dead head rudbekia, coneflower, etc. and pocket my prizes. I tell my co-workers I am helping the plants become healthier and more vibrant. Seriously, think how "green" we are being, folks. Seeds and plants require packaging. The Great Plant and Seed Adoption Method uses no plastics, no paper, no staples. Nothing goes to the landfill! I feel better already... but, I wonder how my mug shot will turn out if they ever look over the security tapes.

Probably they are gardeners too and would understand perfectly.

LouC

Or they just see us as crazy people and look the other way :) And thats fine with me!

The proliferation i swiped from a daylily outside my doctor's office in the fall is putting up tiny green leaves! i am so excited.

I asked my Boss at work if I could trim and take cuttings and she lets me. I have gotten quite a few things from her lovely landscaping.

Nice boss! I want to work in a garden centre so I can help 'clean up'

Me 2. Garden Center, yummy. They could sign me up as a volunteer.

We could volunteer for local Parks and Rec! They always have tons of exotic plants, we could help trim and dead-head!!!

I definitely need to learn some tips from all you experts!