Fall 2007 Seed Swap

but have you sent to them?

I don't think so.

I've sent seeds overseas recently...Australia and New Zealand are the only ones with any restrictions. For NZ, you put a note on the envelope saying exactly what they are in Latin, and that they are clean and for hobby use. For Aus, there is a form you get at the post office. You have to use a lareger PO because the smaller ones look at you with that, 'hunh?' expression. Of course they need to be clean -- chaff doesn't count as dirt, but soil is a no no.

As of last year about this time, it's harder to get seed into the US than it is sending out. I've sent to N. Ire. in a regular bubble envelope with the contents written on the outside, not because it's required, but because it seemed the smart thing to do. I also always use a new envelope, once again,j ust because it seems the smart thing to do.

Suzy

I haven't done it, but I know a member in Iceland who exchanges seeds regularly.

You are supposed to apply for a "Small lots" seed import permit, to import seeds. It's not that big of a deal and its free, renews in 3 years. It's just a form for the exporter to put with your seeds and it goes to USDA first then on to you. You can import 50 lots of 50 seeds each for hobby use. I got one when I was going to import from Japan. It replaces the Physosanitary ?sp permit and is free.

If you go to the USDA or APHIS site you can find out what countries we can export to and get info on what to do there.

thanks, dylancgc. that's some good info!

Too hard for me - I'll stick with importing seeds through my agent, Ms. Anita in Ronkonkoma, NY! Although I have gotten seeds from Japan, from a member.

x, Carrie

Yeah, I thought the same thing, Carrie, until I found a really, really cool tuber I had to have from Australia and the guy wouldn't sell it to me without the Aphis paperwork. I received it in 2 days from my application, snet it to him complete with mind boggling instruction that could have been written i 3 sentences, but instead came on a full typed sheet of paper. He shipped it (reluctanly) and I even got email from a guy in Miami at the inspection office telling me it was here and asking me about how I wanted it shipped -- with or without signature confirmation.

The bulb? I kknow you're dying to find out, it was a climbing peruvian Tropaleum that comes from a tuber. It also comes from seed, but golly! they are slow to bloom from seed! The tubers are way quicker, but it took a long time to get it into action since I got it from the southern hemisphere.

Suzy

I think the bulb permits are different than the seed permits. I marked the incorrect box on my application and they called me.

But was the application process still really fast?

The reason I know more about outgoing seed and incoming bulbs is that I send out miniature Narcissus poeticus seed to enthusiuasts to use for breeding. The wire red cup is what we hope to use to get reds, oranges and pinks in miniature daffodils of all divisions. Most of the people I send them to can shave a few years off the process (from seed to bloom) from what I can do in my backyard in Indiana, so I send out seed and in a few years I get back bulbs. I also order a lot of bulbs from overseas because that's where most of the unusual ones come from.

Suzy

Too much work for me. I give anyone alot of credit to go through all that for seed/bulbs/plant material.

Another great package of seed! This is very exciting!

OK everyone, dead line is in two weeks. If you haven't already started prepping your packages, now is the time. Alot of really great seed samples have been sent in. You should all be thrilled with the return packages!

Yikes! Got to get to work -- I have my coin envelopes, my stamps, my bubble envelopes for mailing -- and my seeds! (Get to work - deadline approaching -- get to work - deadline approaching -- get to work - deadline approaching -- get to work - deadline approaching -- got it.)

x, C

OK Anita, this is a big deal for me! I've bought many many many seeds, I've received lots as gifts too. I'm finally participating in a Seed Swap! I bought 250 coin envelopes, but I don't think I'll need all but four or five of them. I found (in my huge, unsorted, leaky collection) a couple DUPLICATES! For whatever reason, either I added them twice to my cart or the vendor felt bad about sending them so late or whatever, I have four or five packages of seed that have never even been opened. I'm enclosing the following list along with my couple coin envelopes of seeds (labeled); have I got it sort of right? xx, Carrie

Shasta Daisy – chrysanthemum maximum – silver princess – perennial z. 5 – 9, 12” BURPEE – PACKED FOR 2007 white flowers w/ yellow centers

Wild Flax – saphyr – perennial z4 – 8, 12” deadhead for more flowers dainty 1” light blue flowers BURPEE PACKED FOR 2007

Gaillardia – burgundy – gaillardia aristata – attractive wine-red flowers June–Frost z 3-9 30” deadhead BURPEE PACKED FOR 2007

Festuca ovina glauca Blue Fescue grass z4-9 10” clumping, fine silvery blue foliage BURPEE PACKED FOR 2007

Dianthus – microchip mix – z 3-9, 6-8”, mix of white pink and rosy-red, BURPEE – PACKED FOR 2007

Gypsophila paniculata Early snowball baby’s breath blooms 2nd year after sowing z. 4-8 3’ Sun BURPEE – PACKED FOR 2007

Alyssum mountain gold z5-8, 8” sweet scent, yellow flowers Alyssum montanum BURPEE – PACKED FOR 2007

Rudebeckia hirta ‘Becky Formula Mix’ hardyplants.com 2007

Diascia barbarae ‘pink queen’ hardyplants.com 2007

Chrysanthemum ‘Snow Lady’ hardyplants.com 2007

Carrie, you're funny :) and, by the way, your seeds sound great!

Yeah, I'm funny - funny-looking, that is ;>)

Carrie is not funny looking - she is great looking and has the air of a "grand dame" - and just as excentric.

Don't you mean eccentric - or is that another word you guys spell differently up there?

:>) thanks for the compliment, and btw Michaela's pretty hot stuff too!


xx, Carrie

Nah . . . you spelled it correctly, Carrie - I just can't spelll. See . . . you are a grand dame - And we are both pretty hot stuff, considering how young we are!

If you think about it, "ex-centric" really describes the situation. . . I like it, Michaela!

I've seen pics of both of you, and you are, indeed...'hot stuff'!

Thanks, Jan. and you are too kind, CapeCodGardner (btw, how did you fare in the storm? hope everything is okay)

Thanks for asking, Michaela--it was ecciting! BIG winds and we did lose a rather large pine tree, which mercifully fell about 10 feet from our house. . . so I can't complain.
I'm still doing a lot of storm-cleanup, and then I'm going to get my 10 envelopes organized for the SWAP. This is so ecceedingly fun!
(I'll stop now.)

Wow - that must have been pretty scary to have a tree fall soooo close to your house. I am excited too! I have my seeds ready - I just have to get organized and send them. I have been sort of holding out in case I could collect some Blue Heaven morning glory or some moonflower seeds, but I think that might not be possible.

Seeds are headed your way Anita. It only cost $.58 to send them. :-O

I can't quite figure that one out so I stuck a couple extra stamps in. If you don't need them consider them a tip, LOL, but if you need more please let me know!

La

Carrie - you are too much :) . I'll print out your list.

Thanks La