67th SRGC Seed Exchange - 2013-2014 - Advance NoticeImportant Announcement: Changes to Seed Exchange ChargesIn the last two years, the cost of international postage from the UK has soared; it has more than doubled. As a result of this, Council has decided, with regret, that we will have to charge for all seed requests in future, from both UK and overseas members.
We have decided to keep the rates unchanged; this means that all members will pay £5, 7€ or $10 for their main seed request in 2013-14, and the same for each order of 25 packets in the surplus distribution. Full details of how to pay will be included in the Seed List and online, and you can pay online for both online and paper requests. We can only accept cheques in sterling from a UK bank; we can accept sterling, Euros or US dollars in cash.Autumn 2013 Seed DonationsA Seed exchange is only as good as the seed donated- please support the SRGC Seed Ex. by making a donation of seed from your plants. Please send seed donations, individually packaged per variety, preferably in a paper envelope, and cleaned of all seed cases, debris, insects, etc to:-
Prof. Stuart Pawley, Acres of Keillour, Methven, Perth, Scotland, UK, PH1 3RA.
Please include your name and address and a clearly written alphabetical list of the seed you are sending.
Please don’t be put off if you only have a small amount of seed of a species, or only a few species to send - it may be the small amount or seed that no-one else has, and that someone would love to have.
The deadline for seed to arrive at Stuart’s door is 31st October 2013.
If you have “late maturing” seed that cannot be sent until later, please send the information about this as early as possible and before 31st October, to Stuart at gsp.srgc@btinternet.com. Send the list in the text of an e-mail, not as an attachment. Stuart can’t afford a computer virus at this critical time. It is important to send the information early so we can produce the seed list in good time.
Please send late seed as soon as you can.
Seed Lists
All donors and overseas "postal" members will receive a seed list by post automatically. Home non-donors should request a list from Stuart Pawley, and send a C5 stamped addressed envelope to him. Last date for requesting a list is 14th December. The seed list will be available from around 10th November, and will go on-line at the same time; you can browse and order online as well as by post.
For online ordering you will need a password and you will also need to enter your membership number (it’s on the envelope that The Rock Garden arrives in) Queries to info@srgc.org.uk
To request seed Members’ subscriptions for the 2013-2014 season must be valid – renewal of current subscriptions are due by October 2013.
Seed Packeting
Seed packeting will be done during November / early December. Ian Pryde would be grateful to hear from any UK member willing to volunteer to packet seeds. Full instructions and guidance will be provided; details from Ian Pryde on 01875 615185 or at ipryde@btinternet.com
Seed Distribution: early 2014
Seed requests must reach Alan Hayes by 15th January; we cannot guarantee to meet requests received later. The Edinburgh Rock Garden Group begins seed distribution in early January; we aim to have all main requests completed by January 18th.
Donors’ seed requests are completed first, on the basis of their donation record. Donating more seed and for more years moves you up the list. Non-donors and surplus seed requests will be dealt with in order of their arrival date with Alan Hayes.
To request seed Members’ subscriptions for the 2013-2014 season must be valid – renewal of current subscriptions are due by October 2013.
Family members can make two orders. Details online later.
Surplus seed distribution will not begin until all main requests are completed; and not before Jan. 18th, so members will receive their main and surplus requests a few weeks apart.
We hope to complete surplus distribution by the first weekend in February.
Please do not enquire about the whereabouts of seed requests until after 5th February;
such queries should then be addressed to alan.hayes31@blueyonder.co.uk
US Members
US members must have a ‘Small Lots of Seeds’ permit, which is issued by APHIS.
You can find details of how to get a permit at:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_imports/smalllots_seed.shtmlThis must be a ‘small lots’ permit, as this does not require UK phytosanitary certification.
You must enclose a copy of the permit and conditions and a green/yellow customs label for each order - one for a main order, and one for each surplus order of 50 packets.
If you order online, you must still post the permit documents and labels to Alan Hayes (or you may send them to Stuart Pawley with your seed donation). You can copy your permit as many times as you need. Please ensure your permit is still valid before you send copies to us; the permits are valid for three years.
We must stress that “no permit, no seed” is the SRGC rule! We will do our best to get everyone their seed, but it must be in compliance with USDA regulations.
US, Australian and New Zealand members
We still need you, please, to send a numbered list of seeds requested, unless you order online, when the computer will do that job for you and us.
Other overseas members
Please check with your authorities whether there are any import requirements to your country, let us know and send any necessary documentation. We do wish to comply with any laws relating to seed imports.
