Exotic seed swap anyone?

Ok, so far I have;
Datura metel and wrightii (need sowing soon for late July/August blooms and viable seeds before the frosts)
Digitalis lanata
Impatiens balfourii (need sowing soon, as they need a few weeks in the fridge)
Lathyrus sativus azureus

I will add to this throughout the year as I get around to germinating what I have, as most of my stuff is not single season anyway.

 

There is, but it gets little traffic from what I see since I've been here........

That's why JWK's thread is important - it seems to have motivated a few of us!

 

Well maybe there is, I dunno.

But if there is, the only reason nobody goes there is because nobody posts there.

 

To be honest Pete, it seems to be the case on all the forums

I've done a lot of swapping or sending out, but it is almost exclusively as a result of sending PM's or making the offer in relation to a photo that I've posted.

 

We need a list that members can add to or delete from.
Available to be viewed whenever.

I'm just not sure if its possible to do.

That way anyone could look at the list and see who is offering it and then go down the PM route.

 

I'm sure that there is a reason that it is not practical...........

So, to lay my cards on the table, if I post a photo up of something (anywhere) that any of you likes PLEASE feel free to ask if I have seeds. I don't bite!

 

Cracking idea! So we can each send you an envelope with spare seeds in it, and an SAE for you to send some back, I like the sound of that I might send you two S.A.E. in case I get an opportunity for second dibs :thumb:

Probably best we use a stamp for Large Envelope? So if the seeds make it "fat" Postie won't charge a surcharge for delivery

Sorry to put you to all the trouble John. I suggest you get first dibs if there is over demand for something that you want.

We could have a thread where each person makes one post, and then edits their (original) post as the status changes (i.e. you don't post followups, you only have the one post)

Possible downside is that if the thread becomes many pages it may not be obvious who has changed their list ?

 

I was wondering if it might be possible to have a seed list in your profile.
And maybe an icon when you post, indicating you have a list.

 

Kristen's Spare Exotic Seed List

Things I would like to keep (because I can sow next year), but if someone wants them I'm happy to split & share:

Coleus Wizard Velvet Red (200 spare)
Coleus Wizard Scarlet (200 spare)
Ricinus zanzibarensis (about 5 seeds spare)
Ricinus New Zealand Purple (about 3 seeds spare)

Available seeds:

Brugmansia sauveolens (can't find them, but pretty sure I have some left from last year)
Canna warscewiczii (own seed)
Catalpa bignoides
Crocosmia lucifer
Cynara cardunculus "Porto spineless"
Dahlia redskin mixed
Eucalyptus dalrympleana
Eucalyptus glaucescens
Eucalyptus gunii
Eucalyptus niphohila
Eucalyptus nitens
Hesperis matronalis (white)
Lychnis chalcedonica
Lychnis chalcedonica var. Alba
Lychnis chalcedonica scarlet Jersusalem cross
Lychnis x haageana (mixed)
Papaver somniferum paeoniflorum "Black Peony"
Paulownia tomentosa (more than I need)
Robinia pseudoacacia

Veg seeds (purchased for this season)

Chinese Cabbage - Blues F1 (100 seeds spare)
Winter squash - Autumn Crown F1
Winter squash - Waltham Butternut

Old veg seed that I'm never going to grow, and is probably still viable:

Asparagus pea (2010)
Broccoli Summer Purple Sprouting (2009)
Cabbage Green Valley F1 (2009)
Cauliflower All Year Round (2010)
Raddish Superb Yellow (2011)
Salsify Giant (2009)
Scorzonera Russian Giant (2010)
Spinach Scenic (2011)
Sweetcorn Mini Pop (2010)
Tomato Ailsa Craig (2010)

Others:

Achilla "Cloth of Gold" (2009)
Echinops pungens (2009)
Lobellia Moonsoon (Blue, Trailing) (2011)
Lobelia Palace Blue (2011 - tons!)
Lobelia Palace White (2011 - tons!)
Lobelia Riviera Rose (2011 - tons!)
Lobelia tupa (2009)
Meconopsis grandis (2009)
Mimosa pudica ((2011)
Statice sinuata (2011)
Strawberry mignonette (2009)

 

I think the problem with seeds is that it is so seasonable. Many of us are very busy with seeds around now, then it all goes quiet for the rest of the year. So no one gets in the habit of regularly looking in one particular area. I am very happy that someone, ie John, has started a thread and set the ball rolling.

The other problem is the sheer quantity of different seeds. In the past when we had a seed scheme I collected loads of seeds from the garden, not knowing what people wanted. Then, as it turned out nobody wanted anything. So its difficult to know what to collect.

So I agree with John, that there is a benefit in having a seperate scheme for 'exotic' seeds for the moment - ie anything that is unusual or not easily obtained. That way it limits the size and scope. Its much easier to just collect the unusual seeds rather than try to collect everything. That's not to say that there shouldn't be other schemes for veg or garden seeds.

I do feel that sending SAEs will double the postage. Like LongK, I am happy to send my own seeds to anyone who is interested without an SAE. In the long run it all evens out. I have received so many seeds, cuttings and ideas from generous people, that I feel I have a debt to be repaid.

 

I will have a look later to see what I've got; I haven't got loads :D, but I may have a few bits and bob's.

I'm happy to list what I have and then anyone that's interested can PM me with the request and an address and I'll send them off..

 

If there are only 4 or 5 of us I, personally, would be happy to post to all without getting an SAE. I'm happy for John to distribute too and I'm happy to become the "host" if John needs to resign for any reason

I'm also happy to split my seed into individual bags, according to any requests from individual recipients, and send the various lots to John for "marrying" and posting onwards - if that helps.