CLOSED: A poll...what are your biggest complaints

When I do a small trade I put my DG name right under my real nae on the return addy.

ANYWHERE is great. I've gotten envy's with the d-mail across the back, etc.
After I've gotten a few like this and they are always good trades, just don't know who they are from , I started printing my d-mail on lilttle labels, then putting them on all my empty packets so when I do fill it, I know it'll be there. Cause I'm sure I've been busy and not sent mine either

Don't you all keep notes on WHO has asked you for WHAT and their addresses and WHEN you sent the seeds out? And WHEN you received payment, etc?????????? I communicate all that to mt trading person. Of course--I mostly send things out for postage only.

I sure do! Then again, I do not just trade across the US for the sake of trading. I look at EVERY trade as a personal interaction and I DO keep track of all the info.

I AM guilty of not knowing any Latin names and it would take too much time to look each one up. However, all the other info is included.

AND--I have NEVER been "stiffed" for 41 cents or a dollar --by anyone!!!!

Gita

I think there must be two levels of trading - those who look at it as a kind of contractual agreement.

Others more like me - I just want to share the fun! But there's no fun in having to guess as to the botanical name. So, I guess the lesson is to know who you are trading with and be clear on your expectations. That's why I prefer to trade in swaps; the focus is more on fun and less on the actual transaction. Still, there are certain expectations, and most insist on the following: the botanical (latin) name, the colour, and the user name of the sender.

edited for spelling

This message was edited Feb 12, 2008 9:28 AM

That is also why I do the round robins and large swaps. I am out for the fun of it and I am setting up no great expectations other than fun communication with traders. I order seed that I am serious about. Sometimes seed is offered that is not all that common but truely if you look for it hard enough someone has it for sale. I find in some cases the trade because of postage and amount offered cost me more than if I had ordered the seed from a catalog. Ok sorry off subject of complaint. My hand has been slapped and I shall do better at including my name and the botanical name.

I do a better job of keeping track of trades than SASBE offers... but Gita, let me put that in perspective... I think I went through at least 5 or 6 packets of 100 seed baggies last year, maybe more... and you've seen part of the list of what I've been bagging & tagging lately. I know my efforts are just a drop in the bucket compared to some, too! At some point, I throw my hands up in the air and just keep sending out seeds, LOL.

I like to view trades not as a 1-for-1 thing or as a business arrangement but as an exchange of gifts between gardening friends. It just seems to have a way of working out.

>>exchange of gifts between gardening friends.

this is the way I try to look at it too.

If i have a seed that someone wants, I will certainly send it, even if i get nothing in return.
Last year when i first started out, a gal sent me about 30 varieties of seeds just for postage.
Many sent me seeds just for the love of it, no postage, and no seeds in return....

so it's my turn to pay that back to other newbies.

I've learned a lot over the past year, especially in what info to send ... if if i'm getting something for free, as long as i have any name, i can research that myself .... it's also about learning too.

I intend to grow up just like Suzy when labeling my seeds for next year. I love, love, LOVE her labels. I still look the plants up to see what they look like, but I don't have to make 400 notes on the outside of the envie to remind myself of all the whats, whens and wheres. Mind you that is not something I expect from every trader, but boy it sure makes it nice. And really (just thinking of myself and the labels I make) if I'm printing off labels anyway why not add some of that info too? It's not like I'm printing each label by hand. I'd only need to type it once, then snip apart the labels and stick them in the baggie.

I guess I am in the minority with Michaela when it comes to seed counts....especially with perennials. I do not need 200 four o'clocks nor do I need 150 pretty pink floxgloves or purple columbines. Assuming the sender knows the seed is viable 50 seeds is PLENTY. Although I'm appreciative of the sender's generosity, when I get those overflowing baggies I generally send the extras along to be enjoyed by some one else. Annuals, on the other hand are a bit different as I can save some of the seed for the following year (and if it's one of my favorites the extras never leave my greedly little hooves.) LOL.

I guess my biggest points would be much like everyone elses. Communication up front, and good labeling makes for very enjoyable trading.

Lala Jane

the point you bring up about 200 4-O'Clocks .... I do that, only hoping that the receiver will give extras to others.

there are just so many darned seeds from each plant... that i would just literally grab a handful and put them in a sandwich bag. (at least that is how i've done it in the past.... now i think i have 20 in a bag) ya figure, with the way those things grow [like weeds] you really only need 1 seed. In this past swap, i got a baggie with 2 seeds in it... first i chuckled, but then I realized, i only really needed 1.

but in most cases, I probably give too many seeds.... mostly because i have a lot and can't use them all. BUT then, they can be passed on in other trades...i have no problem with that.

You all use the trade tracker don't you? I found that very useful for keeping track of trades.

Core -- yes i finally found that a month or so ago... extremely handy!!
especially for keeping track of what seeds i have not gotten, even though i sent mine.

Jill,

I feel about seed trading much like tcs136. It is for fun and to share with people that would like to have the small, limited amount of seeds that I have. It is just to offer the few varieties of seeds I have acquired to anyone that may want them in my Regional Forum and to some others that I have become close to on other Forums.

I HATE to, openly, advertise my seeds on the "Seed Exchange" Forum as I know it will lead to a slew of requests from people that just want anything anyone else has to share. Like you said in one of your posts----"They want one of EVERYTHING!". I do not respect that kind of a person. That is what I refer to as "greed".......

Jill, if you have gone through 500-600 seed packets to trade, then that may border on a "compulsion"--to have--to grow--to buy--to collect--and to trade. I could never have enough time to do it on that kind of scale. Who does??? I find it even hard to keep up with the few seed sendings that I do. And I NEVER ask for SASE's, as in the "big picture", it duplicates the expense of the whole sharing thing. I send people seeds that they have asked for and tell them, that when they get my envelope, they will see the postage on it and then they can reimburse me. I have never been slighted yet......

Your comment of: I like to view trades not as a 1-for-1 thing or as a business arrangement but as an exchange of gifts between gardening friends. It just seems to have a way of working out.is exactly how I feel about all this. That is all it should be about.
I HATE the thought of "commercializing" any of this to any larger extent.

If you all do not know--I have very limited gardening areas for anything new. I have what I have--and it is hard to find any room for new stuff. I DO like and want some of the more interesting plants, but every new introduction to my garden comes at the sacrifice of something "old" I have had and now need to replace. And--sometimes--I just as well leave the "something old" be, as they have made a "life" for themselves, and "existed", in the harsh, cramped environment that they have been living in.
Like--I have a "Tropicana Rose" that has "existed" between the roots of my Silver Maple Tree just 8' away for about 20 years. I would love to move it so it can do better, but I cannot even dig it out. Tried once--and 3" down, I ran into 2" diameter tree roots completely surrounding it. NO GO!

To some people Botanical names are second nature. Since I have never studied Horticulture, I have absolutely NO clue of any of them. I always provide the recipient with the common name, and THEY can look it up in PF if they need to know more about it. I also list my name, the year the seed was harvested, and the color and the "habit" of the plant. I often also written a personal note to the recipients with any special instructions on growing the particular plant.
But, then as I said, I do not do any seed trading past my favorite Threads or people I have gotten to know. I have posted all my "haves" on my Trade List and have invited people to look at it and let me know if they want anything.

After the end of this month, I may put out a more general "invite", as I DO have a bunch of seeds that i will not know what to do with if i do not give them away. Lets face it--next year, they will be a year old.......

Gita

Took me a while to find it too. You can put in seeds for SASE and people who sending you SASE. Basicly any "seed movement". LOL. Slowly but surely I'm figuring everything out. 20 seed minimium was a surprise but other than that I seem to do alright.

Oh I don't mind passing the extras along, I just mean that it's not necessary. As in I don't want folks to think they can't trade if they don't have a bulging bag. Where as some folks like to start out with a ton o' seeds, some of us don't require it and are just as happy with a handful. I guess that's part of the communication part :-D

>>"They want one of EVERYTHING!". I do not respect that kind of a person. That is what I refer to as "greed"...

Gita -- i've only posted once or twice in the Seed forum, but i have all my seeds listed in my HAVES list, and not one time have I gotten a request for more than 1 or 2 varieties of seeds.

and as for Scientific names... i too have no clue, but i have been gathering all that info and entering it in my spreadsheet, so i have them all [as much data as i can gather] for when i trade/swap. and heck,,,, i can't pronounce those names either.

**edited to add......

Yup Jane.... gotcha!!

This message was edited Feb 11, 2008 9:54 PM

I took a quick look at your trade list and latin would be good. You have a couple, Tall, Red Perennial Hibiscus and a white one. To me your talking about hardy hibiscus but even the hardies get broken down a little more than that. I would assume Hibiscus moscheutos but It could be something different. Does it look like the one in my picture?

Gitagal, Hi. I always keep up with trades, I don't know what happened with these. I just don't even remember them. I always keep up with them. I've been keeping a notebook, but will use the trade tracker too now.
Have any of you ever received a trade that you had talked to someone about (D-Mail talk) but didn't actually make the "deal"?
Anyway, I've learned my lesson about being sloppy!!
I will find out who it is, it's my obsession now.

OK-thought I would put in my two bits...

I trade A LOT. I have dealt with many different kinds of people who have many different kinds of lives.
The bottom line is it is all for fun. If we start getting picky about everything, this will not be fun anymore.

All I ask is that Latin names are used. This way we always know what is in the packet.

Nothing else matters. I don't ask for all the information as I know some people have bad hands and for them to have to write or type that information alone can be painful. Some people have bad eyes, and to read all the info is difficult. All the information can be looked up as long as the Latin name is there.

As for numbers....I don't care how much is sent to me. I am happy with what I can get if it is something I am wanting. I have traded for 2 tiny seeds of something-yes, it was something I really wanted and didn't have...I don't think that is greedy-I sent back so much more for it.

I understand that some people want some of everything...again-not greedy in my eyes, in my case-I collected what I could this season so I can try EVERYTHING I could find for the Winter Sowing database. I have over 400 pots outside all for "research reasons, and hey-I will be thrilled if 25% come up after this frigid winter :o)

The way I do it is post it on my have list-if there is a small amount-it is there, if it is chaffy or from trade-I do my best to put it there on the have list. Sometimes I may forget, but I try not to.

I like for people to ask me for things as I am always willing to share what I have. I am at this very moment giving away ALL my seeds so new members can have tons of seeds to start out with (anyone interested or know new members who would be-let me know!!)

And finally-I don't blame people for sending seeds that are not viable...there are very few photos on Dave's of seeds, so unless someone has some knowledge of a plant, how do they know if it is good or not. I can't count how many Echinacea seeds I received this year that were no good. I just wrote a kind letter to the sender so they would know, and I have now posted a photo on Plantfiles so people can see the difference. Until more photos are posted, we can't really get to upset about that.

Bottom line, Latin names and I am a happy camper. :o)

Thanks for listening...
Robbi

I almost forgot to say howdy to Princess Tammy

This message was edited Feb 11, 2008 10:29 PM

Some of my seeds (hardy hibiscus being one of them) were obtained from an oldtimer and that is all the info I got so I did not offer them in the swaps. I am growing them myself but if I offer the seed of mine next year I am still limited in information but could offer a photo.

Yes, sometimes the entire Latin name can't be found, and this is alright too...Especially for us seed snatchers, it is next to impossible :o)

Only when it can be done.

I know I was thrilled to get any Echinacea when I first started collecting, so I just took all sorts of Coneflower! LOL now I am learning what is what by site :o)

My best though was when I got "Lily"
I also got one that said "tickseed" when it was a Cosmos-ha ha ha.

Bottom line, no one should stress about it-that is when you buy seeds...it should all be fun!

Hi there Princess Tammy

Robbi which one did you put it under. I would like to see it myself.

When looking for it for you, I noticed I had not added that one yet-but I did do one for Gerbera another that often has bad seeds sent...
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/892/


Princess Tammy, are you paying attention?

thanks someone gave us a lesson on the gerbers last year. It is good to have that on file.

Question: off subject, but important. After you've got your seeds in the ground and they are all mixed up, how do you know which is which when you harvest your seeds
I have 4 different kinds and colors of hollyhocks, but will plant them alltogether
Just wondering

I lost track of my columbines this year, couldn't even figure out which plant was which color for sure from garden photos... so I'm just putting seeds in mixed packets! I know I've got lavender, purple, magenta and 'Black Barlowe' in the mix, just no clue which is which.

If they're growing that close to each other wouldn't they cross pollinate, anyway, Critter? Seems like you could get anyting from a mix like that.

Suzy

They're several feet apart, and I've had them come true to color from friend's gardens where they were planted similarly close to other colors... but no matter, mixed color packets are easier to make up, anyway! :-)

We were just talking abous cross pollination -- poppies and Columbine, both. I just mentioned that I was sure cross pollination must occur, and yet, when you see seed packs, they do say "black peony poppy" or "PInk short spurred Columbine", so I guess it was a question in my mind. It's interesting, though.

You talk about your Basil cross pollinating, I wonder what other things that applies to?

I agree with Robbi about the greed aspect. I feel if someone wants to try everything it is for the excitement and love of gardening and if we can share that with others-why not?

Aren't we all greedy when we just start growing from seed? Or just plain enthousiastic? Usually this state of mind only lasts for a couple of seasons. Then we become more specific about what we want to sow, simply forced by lack of space, time and milkjugs.....

Question about labeling hybrids. If you have a known cultivar and then collect seeds from it, is it just a good idea to just say parent of xxxxx on your package?

Good idea! However, some common knowledge may be expected: offspring from hybrids may but also may not resemble their parents. If you want to stay at the safe side, use the species which is usually stronger and healthier too!

Tuinabouter, glad you mentioned that about species. I've gotten packages of seeds before that only had the genius listed. So the species is unknown to me until I grow it and have someone's help to identify the species.

Just to make sure we mean the same when we talk about genus, species and hybrids. An example:

Echinacea is the genus
Echinacea purpurea is the species. This kind of plant as Mother Nature has made it.
Echinacea purpurea "Ballroom" is a hybrid, but most of the DNA stems from Echinacea Purpurea
Echinacea X "................" is also a hybrid, but the DNA has been taken from many parents.

The latter is the most unstable and will usually not come true from seed.
The second has a better chance of being similar to the parent
With the the first you can be sure.

This only goes if you only have one of a certain kind growing in your garden. Or if they are planted at quite a distance. If several species of the same genus are planted together they will hybridise..... For instance poppies: if you sow red Papaver paeoniflorum in the neighbourhood of white Papaver somniferum, there's no telling what the offspring will look like. Could be double whithe, single red or even bicolored.

Two more remarks:
Offspring of F1 and F2 hybrids will never resemble their parent. These are flowers that have been hand pollinated by the breeders.
The older the hybrid is, or better said the longer it has been around, the more stable it will be!

When i subscribed to DG a month or so ago I was met by some very nice, very generous people who welcomed me with a ton of information and some very generous seed packages. Again, I want to thank those people.

As a new person looking through this thread though. I must say that some of these posts scare me. I garden / trade for fun period and I look at the ability to trade and possibly make a new friend as a blessing not a job or contract. If you want to trade with me that's wonderful but if you don't I will look at it as a missed opportunity to meet someone new, get a gift and send a gift, and possibly learn something.

I am not going to use the zip + 4 unless you send it to me
I am not going to use the Latin name unless its on the pack I have....I don't even speak English well all the time
I am not going to send you more information than the trader or the site or the store i get the seeds from gives me
I am not going to complain when you send me something "extra" as I have the common sense to figure out that your intention was good and I am grateful.
If it is an unopened pack that i am sending you that I got in a trade or have duplicates of i am not going to open it to see if it is viable or not
I am glad to share what I have be it 2 or 3 extra seeds or 10 packets, If you don't ask for 20 seeds of such and such in your initial trade request and I have 10 extra you will get the 10 extra
I more than likely will send you some extra seeds that you didn't ask for and could care less if you are just being "greedy" or not ( I like surprises too)
If the pack is small I hope you have scissors to cut it open
If the writing on the pack is small maybe you could put it on your printer and blow it up
If you need more information about what you received i would suggest you spend your time to google it instead of complaining about what was supposed to be a gift in open forum
I will do what I can to get it to you in a reasonable amount of time usually the weekend following the trade

If this seems harsh, sorry. Maybe you all could use the friends feature and make a list of the people who meet your trade requirements and trade with them through D-Mail.

Yes, I understand what you posted above. That's what I mean when I say I have a few packs of seeds that say only the genius with no futher explaination to describe the seeds.
Asclepias is one that comes to mind.

Hey Antoinine,

We all do what we can!

If you only use common names, that will not be much of a problem unless you want to trade international. And even seasoned international traders will know a lot of English names. On the other hand these Latin names are not as difficult as they seem. You get to know them better while you get along.

As long as you make sure that your seedpackets contain your name and the name of the seeds (the complete name, f.i. not just "marigold" but "Marigold Bo Jangle"). If your seeds are older than 2 years it would be kind to mention this. Anything more is extra and can also be found on the Internet.

Sowing seeds is always a bit risky. There is no guarantee for germination. Sometimes seeds are not viable and sometimes the circumstances are just not right. That is just what makes this kind of sport fun!

Complaining about getting extra seeds, is something I cannot understand at all. I love extra's! And I don't like the word greedy. Let's replace it with enthousiastic.

I never mention the amount of seeds in my packets. Simply because I don't count them! Usually I send as many seeds as fit in between my thumb and index finger, that is a pinch. Usually that suffices (or at least no-one has complained about it yet!). If I only have a few seeds or the seeds are big, I'll send fewer.

Agreed Tuink.

Most of us new people only know what is either pretty, tastes good and has worked for them in their gardens.

Threads like this can make and enthusiastic new gardener think twice about wanting to trade at all.

Atoinine,

Don't think twice, this trading is really fun. The only thing that can get me angry is receiving a baggy that contains just one seedhead without the seeds. Or lots of chaff and no seeds. One should at least try!

By the way, have you read the trade primer yet? It contains lots of information and common sense.....

Yep I read it.