Forum Seed Pool

[Chris43]

I have just updated the list of seed available for the price of a stamp, and it is downloadable from:



There is fair range available, so if any of our newer joiners (and older ones of course!) would like to try their hand at seed raising, then this is a good way of trying.

Instructions on how to ordser etc., are on the second tab of the workbook. If you don't have Excel, then a free viewer is available from Microsoft, just follow the link below:

[Chris43]

Another Update, same name, same link.

I have just done a stock check, and "discovered" a few species whose seeds I had split for previous orders, retaining some, but then stupidly deleting from the file. It should (cross fingers) be now bang up to date.

Now a request for advice. There are a few seeds, which have been in the Pool for a while, with no requests. Some are pretty old seed as well. May I have views on what to do with them? I'm quite happy to keep them, but perhaps we should have some limit on how long a seed pack should stay in here, or an age limit to ensure that when people do get seed, they aren't disappointed by low or zero germination.

I'd welcome views, as I really don't have a lot of knowledge in this area. Also of what to do with the old seed - send it back to their original donor? dump it in the compost bin?

[Chris in Leeds]

Hi Chris just sent you an email about seed

[Julie]

I think some seeds are still viable after 5 years, such as E.obesa apparently. There are probably some which need to be sown the next year, or they won't grow... anyone?

I would guess it's different for every species... are smaller seeds generally less longlasting?

[Chris43]

Well, unless someone has a good rule for different genera, maybe I should just note when I receive the seed, and then after a certain time, if no-one has asked for it (say after 2 years) then dump it regadless of viability. Otherwise, I can see that there could be lots and lots of ageing seed of uncertain viability in the Pool.

Any views on how long from receipt of seed (bearing in mind some might be a year or two old already)?

[iann]

The age of most of the seed is noted on the spreadsheet. I've sown plenty of seed 2-3 years old, and some a lot older, with mostly decent results. But I guess after a few years, if nobody is interesting in the seed then it should be dumped. Its a seed pool after all, not a seed bank.

I don't need any of my seed back so I have no problems with it being composted. I wonder if you'll have little Delospermas sprouting all over your garden in a few years time?

[Aloenut]

In my experience I have found the following:

Aloe/Haworthia/Gasteria: best result a year or less
Stapeliads: year or less
Mesembs: I have germinated 10 year Lithops seeds with good results. I think most Mesemb seed will germinate well irrespective of age (within reason of course).

Aloenut

[Aloenut]

I should have added seed storage is very important. I keep mine in the fridge and sealed in plastic bags to keep them as dry as possible.

[Chris43]

I store them just as I receive them, except when I have enough to satisfy multiple requests, in which case they go into either small plastic bags ro similar sized bags used primarily for stamps.

I think the purge after two years if no interest might be the way to go, maybe offer the donor the seed back first. But happy to do what the majority want.

We've a year to go before that stage, so keep adding views please.