I have just received a large swap back and for the most part am very satisfied with what I got in return. I put alot of effort into my packages I sent out for this swap. But I have to say this, some of the packages I got back to me were....lacking.
I received some that the info was written so small I had to get a magnifying glass out to read it. some used ink pen on the little plastic enve and it doesn't even show up. Other packages just had a name of the flower on it. For instance 'Columbine' and nothing else, no color, no persons identity so I could contact them to ask questions. One package just had a picture of what the seeds were for. It was some kind of grass and the pic was so fuzzy and far away, there is noway to identify it.
Please people, I am in no way pointing fingers at anyone, I just think we need to pass it along to all that the seeds need to have more info on them. Now I have to figure out what I'm going to do with all these unknowns. Like if I plant that columbine, it could take two years before I see the color and if it doesn't go with the color scheme of my garden then I have to dig it up and move it. Then start all over again with another. This is very frustrating and time comsuming.
Another one I got was Pushki, I thought what the devil is that. I google it and was blown away. In the growing stages it can burn and scar a person who just touches it. I don't think these types of plants should be put in our common swap but list separately for those who might really want this plant. It is beautiful, but I keep thinking what if my neighbors grandchildren came over and touched or my own. You know kids are going to do something like that even if they are told not to. I just think people should be a little more careful.
I don't want to pass it on to newbies, because some need all the info they can on planting. Anyone have any Ideas. I am going to post this on the Round Robin forum , too.
I guess I'm through ranting, so you all can come back and yell at me for a while.
Seed trade problems
I agree with all you said. I have received quite a few seed packs that were not even readable. I understand that people don't always have seed bags, but whatever the seed is in should be well identified. It would be great to have a 'pledge' page at the top of this forum for everyone to read and add their name pledging to meet at least the basic requirements for passing seeds to another. That way everyone has a choice. I know the info is in other places, but I think that its easy to overlook.
I think most of it is just common sense to put at least a cdolor on it. Even if the person has nothing to write on the plastic with, they can put a piece of paper in the pack with the info and write/print clearly enough that a google search will be able to come up with something.
Something should be put somewhere at the top of the forums to let people know what to do.
Hey Robyn
I agree, I try to research each trade and then dmail instruction on germination and what my success or failures are. I hate to admit it, but I have had to dispose of some seed I have been sent, due to it just saying MG. I spent 2 years getting rid of common MG after planting a mystery one labeled in this manner. I also just gave a ebay seller a bad rating for packaging. She charged enough for shipping and I was sent a reg envy with crushed seed in them. One more thing that drives me crazy and I will shut up, is using reg tape when putting multiple items in package. I do make my own seed envy and do use tape to seal, but using it to keep seed multiple packs together just makes them stick together and when removing them they rip and seeds go everywhere.
Geo
I hate that too. What is the reasoning behind taping them all together? I don't mind really small packages that are taped up. I just have to have my granddaughter open it for me. Some of us have big hands or have arthritis and can't do little stuff.
I do love trading seeds and we just need to let newbies, not so newbies and some oldies know that it is in their best interest to be a little more dilligent about the packaging I guess thats the word I'm looking for. It will in the long run bring more seeds to the groups and more wanted seeds. Possibly that one flower we've been wanting for years and have never gotten.
I'm so happy you started this thread I have had so many packs of seeds that I couldn't read the name of the seed and no name on the pack to dmail the person to see what they were so here is my two cents:
I try to keep a folder on germination of every seed I have so when I'm in a swap I can either dmail instructions or send a piece of paper with them, and also It only takes a minute to print on a piece of paper the name of a seed and who the seed is from because a lot of people cannot read other peoples hand writing. It’s more of a case of do unto others what you would have others do unto you :) I have had printed labels for these packs of seeds too that I couldn’t read, take your time folks and print so everyone can read them and put the full name of the seeds please! At least if you put your name on the seed packet we can dmail you and see what the seed is :)
Lea
The Golen Rule, exactly what I was thinking too.
Maybe there should be a sticky or something, The Golden Rule of seed trade or The Green Rule, maybe The Garden Rule.
If not a sticky maybe printed instructions that can be copied and put at the top of each trade/swap/round robin.
Hey LeBug(I still love saying your name)
Your hardy pink hibiscus seeds were packed wonderful!
Geo
This thread will be one that has the word 'Sticky' written all over it!!!
Very Good thread!!!
Did they have my name on them lol OOPS! But my name was on the return envelope, just incase lol
I have had this name since childhood, I was always running around catching bugs lol I caught my first snake when I was three :)
This message was edited Dec 31, 2007 10:51 AM
Well, no
I use tradetracker and keep track that way.
Geo
I did the same thing Lea. I also called the wild hogs all the time. Mostly when dad didn't want them to come in.
That's funny Robyn, my grandfather had hogs but I was always scared to death of them lol
He always called me his little stinker when I did it.
I bet he did lol
I didn't get any badly packed seed this time but I have in the past so I know the frustration! I did get a few seeds that were hand written and it was hard to read but I was able to look up what they were on the list .
The whole tape thing has never made since to me. There nothing quite like picking seed off of tape
Caren
I must agree with the others. I am a newbie and
really don't want to spend huge amounts of time
trying to look things up, figure out someone's
handwriting, picking seeds off of tape, or end up
with a big mix of NOIDs in the bottom of an envy.
I must admit that I may have not been totally
descriptive in care in a couple of my first trades,
but I learn quik and the Golden rule would be
appreciated.
One tip here for newbies, when I was new and couldn't read the pack I would check my dmails or where I had answered someone's post, on your home page you can check the posts you made, and try and find the seed you traded for or check someones trade list if you have thier name to see if they have the unknown seed on their trade list or in the thread that you posted on. Doesn't always work but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to get the name of that seed lol It is a lot of work but sometimes you do find the right spelling for it. I've had to do this a few times even after being a member for a few years :)
Thanks, LeBug,
If it's just a round robin and what I got is
totally random, it will lay there til I get to it.
I may miss out on planting something for a while,
but I will get to it eventually.
HI---mee too --people sending addresses and not what seeds they want -sase that are too small for the amount of seeds after adding bubble wrap--people even sending a list of the seeds they want but no address---one thing you have to watch is when you post a new offer of seeds -you start getting mail sent to your dmail--at the same time there are also responses to the origional posted offer--tou have to make sure you go back to your origional posting and see if there are any responses - there can be responses to it that dont show up on your mail--stevo
Truest, we all have been newbies at one time and we do understand that you may not know what to do. The rest of us should guide you in the right direction. Most of the DGers should know what to do and if they don't they need to ask. I am by no means upset with any one who doesn't know, it's the ones that do know better that displeases me.
I don't want to be misguided on the seeds and I don't want to be the one that misguides someone. If I do something wrong I want to be told about it so I can correct it.
There are alot of members on here that go out of there way to put everything they can on those little enve. It is so appreciated by the rest of us, I want to do my best to send out that same thing. I know I need to put more info on mine and I will strive to in the future I promise (ansofan)
I just think we all can do a better job, after all, we are all in this gardening frenzy together and why not make it easy on ourselves and others.
Ooops, I bet mine was one that needed a magnifying glass. I try to put the germination and growing instructions on the pack (actually on paper inside the pack, but it's readable through the plastic) but sometimes I have to go down to 8 or 9 point to get it all in. Sorry, I'll edit them next time to make the print bigger.
Suzy
Suzy I've never had problems with yours. The one I had was hand written, I had my contacts in, reading glasses on and had to use the magnifying glass. The lettering was very small and squished together so bad the letters overlapped. The piece of paper it was written on wasn't even an inch square. The seed package was a 3x5. go figure. More than enough room for a larger piece of paper and legible handwriting.
I sure sound like a nitpicker don't I. I'm not usually this way, it must have been holiday stress. So sorry everyone to rant about this.
Get it out, girl! We all know about holiday stress!
I'm just happy there are so many kind DGers that are
willing to help, and I have recvd those with good info
and those without. I try to go with the flow, and make
sure what I send out is legible- I used to be able
to read the little stuff! LOL
Don't have time to read it all, but as a newbie I totally agree! If I might add, also, please do not put seeds in a kleenex! I got some like that and was lucky I didn't lose them all over the floor! Happy New Year to all!
No Kleenex? Don't you think you're being just a LITTLE bit too picky? ROTFL!
Suzy
Gee Whiz Tammy, what do you expect from us.
I think I will send your seeds in TP.
You do and I will whoop your butt! LOL
Too late.
LOL
You ladies have given me an idea, how about an article on Good Manner for Seed Trading? Maybe an explanation of sizes you should send using a SASE. I know as being fairly new to seed swapping I was more than a little confused. And yes, either type, print or provide directions and informations in a legible hand large enough for someone like me who wears glasses can actually see it without a magnifying glass.
I would certainly be open to any further ideas or suggestions on doing something like that.
Thanks
Just my opinion, but I think an article would be great, and maybe get Dave to do a 'Sticky' at the top of the seed trading forum about etiquette in seed trading?
That's an excellent idea. It should also be posted in the Round Robins, too.
It should have your DG name. Robynznest.
Flower type ex. Salvia
Latin Name (if possible) Salvia coccinca
Flower name Lady in Red
Color Red
Zone
Ht.
Light
Germination
I know that even if all of this is on the package, I alsways look it up on the computer to see what it looks like and if there is anything special I need to know. But it would be nice if we at least had most of this info or at least you could put unknown in like the zsone or something.
Most of this info can fit on a regular label and stuck on a 2x3 enve. You can certainly stick another piece of paper in the enve if you want to add extra info for the seeds. If it's seeds that can be winter sown I put W/S on the packs or A/F for after frost. Some I have put soak 24 hrs or scatter seeds, do not cover. Any little bit of info helps out a whole lot.
I think this is a great discussion and hope more people will get in on it! :)
The more that are aware the better for all.
Yeppers!
Oh, I have your cake! ☻
Yum, I'm starving. I should eat lunch first. Maybe I can have it after dinner tonight.
Saving it for ya till after din din! :)
Great thread! I have just spent the past two days going through my seed box in preparation for wintersowing and have experienced the same issues all of you have mentioned.
It's just common sense to have the most important information. It doesn't bother me to look up the rest of the info like, planting depth, whether it prefers sun or shade, etc., but for heaven's sake, add the common name and/or latin name and cultivar, if known. If unknown, please state that as well. I can then decide if I want to take a chance on it or not.
I absolutely love DG and all the wonderful people I have traded with and this is in no way meant to discourage or hurt anyone's feelings. Please just take our advice as constructive and with good intentions so we all can enjoy the swaps and trades and grow the most beeauuuutiful gardens in the world!
Blessings to everyone for a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!
FrauSnow