SRGC Seed Exchange 2021 - 22

[Tomte]

Me too, and my sincerest thanks to all who made this tremendous effort to send seeds across EU boundaries. Just so sad I will not be able to sow most seeds before next autumn.. Bloody stupid legislation indeed.

[Gerdk]

Seeds arrived yesterday - many thanks to all who have taken this immense effort!

Gerd

[François Lambert]

My seeds arrived yesterday :-)

A big thank you everybody who made this possible.

I think I will sow teh seeds needing cold stratification only this fall, I'm not too much a fan of placing seeds in the refrigerator and having them germinate begin of the summer.

[aldo]

A beautiful collection of Paeonia seeds has also arrived in Italy. Thank you very much.

[cosine_alpines]

Received the last (I think!) of my seed exchange order today in Virginia/United States, via the Linden, NJ port of entry.

No seeds rejected and the inspectors there have been very accommodating when mistakes are made - they called me last year when me or a plant society accidentally reused a shipping label, and intercepted, inspected and forwarded a package this year where the plant society had included my permit number but I had forgotten to send them a shipping label. Appreciate the work of all the SRGC volunteers and donors!

I'm hoping there'll be a system next year where I can still donate seeds, maybe through a US member who then aggregates and forwards seeds for a phytosanitary inspection?

[MarcR]

Indeed, Diane,  most  bulbous species in particular can be damaged by putting  too soon into the  fridge for storage.  In many cases the  enmbryo has  to complete its development once the  seed  has left the  plant.

What you say is generally true; but, some ephemeral seeds [particularly from Amarylidaceae, and Fumeraceae], will sprout unplanted  if not refrigerated.

[fermi de Sousa]

.... Appreciate the work of all the SRGC volunteers and donors!

I'm hoping there'll be a system next year where I can still donate seeds, maybe through a US member who then aggregates and forwards seeds for a phytosanitary inspection?

I suspect that something like that will be needed for Australia as well - for sending and receiving because our Customs inspectors are also demanding a Phyto,
cheers
fermi

[Tomte]

I wonder, are there already plans for the next seed exchange in terms of non-UK members, in particular from within the EU?
I have bern sparingly collecting seed so far due to this uncertainty (and lack of time) and wonder whether it’s not better to sow them right away if it’s uncertain if I can participate as a donor..

[Maggi Young]

As I understand things, Tomte,  there are plans for the SRGC Seed Exchange to go foward - this from the Seed Team :  We intend to run a normal seed exchange for EU members this year.  We understand that the UK government will not require phyto certificates for seed coming into the UK from the EU until 2023, so it should be okay for you to send seed this autumn.  We will have to get phyto certificates for seed going into the EU, but will follow the same arrangements we used last year. 

For 2023-24, we don't know what will happen....................

Details about the seed exchange will appear in the Dryas Newsletter when it comes with the Rock Garden in July, and will be updated on the website when we have any more information.

With best wishes

Ian & Carole Bainbridge

[Tomte]

That’s good news, thank you Maggi. Guess I can’t make good for what I‘ve neglected so far and what the ants have carried away (most of it, really), but there‘s still some seed around I guess 

[Tomte]

One more question: how is the situation with CITES-listed species like Cyclamen or Galanthus this year? Can I still send them? And is it still possible to include them in my seed order?

[MarcR]

Please correct me if i am mistaken; but, I believe that if CITES listed seed is labled garden collected and acccompanied by a verifying photograph, it is exempt.

[bainbridges]

Hi folks

CITES seed:  Movement of seed of CITES protected plants is only restricted for plants in CITES Category 1; which is many tropical orchids, aloes and cacti; almost nothing we ever handle fits into CITES 1. You can search on this url to check if you're in doubt.
 https://checklist.cites.org/#/en/search/cites_appendices%5B%5D=I&output_layout=alphabetical&level_of_listing=0&show_synonyms=1&show_author=1&show_english=1&show_spanish=1&show_french=1&scientific_name=Plantae&page=1&per_page=20

Ian Bainbridge

[Véronique Macrelle]

Hello, is there anyone here from France who has managed to send their seeds to the srgc and how?
I have tried to print a postage stamp by internet (a thick envelope), and it blocks because of a form to fill, and incomprehensible requests, even if it is already paid!

thank you

[Véronique Macrelle]

I have sent my mail and hope it arrives well!

what about the Surplus Seed Distribution  to members resident in the EU ?