Hopefully you collected enough to run a germination test. Take ten of each and put them between moist paper towels in a ziplock bag. If most of them sprout, they're good.

P.S. sorry my post looks grumpy. I forgot to say that since you went to all the trouble of collecting seeds, why not give it a try. I wish everyone was as concerned as you are about seed viability. I've known people who save seeds in plastic bags in the junk drawer over a hot radiator for 5 years and then exchange them in swaps.

Most of the seeds Ihave recieved have been a positive experience. Howevere, you dont always know your sources...well you take your chances.

I havent done any conference chatting since married life, I dont have time and find it too distracting to get anything elsse done. I would enjoy a get together for a swap or tradeof plants/seeds etc...or even a gathering at a garden show at a certain time period just to checkin and say hello to fellow gardeners in the area.

As far as collecting seeds...well, I really love collecting. I usually grow enogh that saving seeds is not a problem as far wasting blooms by not dead heading...but yes the very same thoughts runthrough my mind as how you describe seed saving sky.

I love exchanging seeds in the exchange forums. I like to save an actual bloom and elmer glue it flat to the outside of the envelope along with all the collection info and nameof plant. ( I learned that from working in the taxidermy lab doing inventory for aschool I use to attend. Listing origiin,collectors name, species,date,etc

I just adore collecting and saving my seeds. So if you want any for this year I have more than enough to tradeor send if you mail me a SASE.

And yes, turn into a bear if it doesnt go well, I take it serious and expect those I trade with to do the same.

Doll....I cant believe anyone would think they could get away with 5 year old seed stored improperly. SHame shame

Sky, I'll probably be thinking about you and your attitude this year while I am collecting seeds...please know I get the same attitudes and do often purchase fresh seeds. For me its too easy as there is a garden center owned by my family that is with in walking distance from me.

I use half collected seeds and half store /catalog purchased seeds and I enjoy graphing and cuttings!

Thank you girls for you posts. Duh, I never thought about testing the seeds!!! Have enough seeds, omg I have tons! I did do one swap with a very nice lady on here that was looking for poppy seeds, and I very much enjoyed. I didnÂt have any seeds collected at the time other than the poppies. Your idea was great lily with the dried blossom very nice touch! Am not saying I wonÂt collect again, I really did enjoy gathering the seeds. Maybe I should have a seed collecting garden, Hmmmmmm see what brainstorming does Hehehehe! How long should one keep their seeds? My son gave me Straight Eight (cuke) seeds oh maybe 4 yrs. ago and I planted them last year and they were still vibrant. Yes Doll I was very diligent with my seeds both collecting and storing. When I was collecting there were some plants the seeds werenÂt as obvious as zinniaÂs, marigold etc. So after I collected the seeds I put them on a paper plate and took pictures of the seeds, same this year with any new seeds I purchased; I took pictures of the seeds so I would know what to look for. Am sooo long winded sorry everyone! Lucky you Lily with relatives in the business! ThatÂs another part of my dilemma, Maine is so unforgiving with our gardens, if we make mistakes itÂs a year before we can correct it! *Sigh*

Be wellÂ.
Sky

When my youngest was living in a college dorm, we bought him one of those tiny dorm refrigerators, with the understanding that, when he no longer needed it, it became mine. It is now tucked into a corner of the office - filled with seeds!

Sky, if you want to try something totally stress free, save some four o'clock seeds. Each flower produces one really big seed and the seeds turn black when they are ripe. Super easy! For the last couple of years, I've been growing a strain of hot pink four o'clocks and last summer I planted them in a couple of places - probably 12 or 15 plants total. My husband was using the word "obsessed" before I was done collecting seeds from them and rightly so - I have a bread pan full. Anybody want some?

Remember - s/he who dies with the most seeds wins! :-)

I don't save many seeds anymore, unless it's a plant that's easy to harvest from, or from something special that seeds are hard to find.

Last year I let some bok choy and arugula go to seed so I could save some. It seemed to take forever before the flower stalks produced seeds. Meanwhile, the bok choy and arugula took up a whole vegetable bed while I was waiting. I could have planted something else in their place. Didn't get seeds until Aug. Same with a head of lettuce I let flower.

I decided that it was far easier and takes up less space if I break down and spend $2 or less for a new seed packet.

One thing I make a point to save seeds from is my sweet peas. Originally from a packet of 'Old Spice', I like to think that after saving their seeds for 4 years now, the strain has acclimated to my conditions. They are very fragrant, everyone loves them, and I share the seeds with people in the garden club. We're all growing sweet peas now.

For sure people do it for fun more than the cost savings. Once you start mailing them around (marked "HAND CANCEL" on the envelope, right? Riiiiiight? LOL) you've spent at least as much on postage. Some folks are disappointed when the plnats don't exactly match the parent plant, but that's how seeds work. And animals too! :) I must admit I often Google to find out the estimated shelf life of seeds. I have been planning to Google around and find out if there are a lot of Post Offices irradiating the mail for anthrax, and if it affects seed viability.

Cindy .... A four o'clock Expert! I grew them for the first time last year, I did get a couple of seeds and ordered them again this year. Have you ever tried wintering them over? I would love some seeds I never thought about that Dollmaker in reference to the post office! Grrrrrr What kinda of dolls do you make? I use to make primative dolls loved doing it! Oh Dollmaker got this by goggling;

melody
Benton, KY
Zone 7a

Oct 25, 2001
9:43 PM
Here in the last few days I've heard that the post office will start using irradiation to kill anything alive that comes through the mail. That means they want to kill the anthrax spores,but the collateral damage will be the seeds that we trade with each other will be killed also.

Have any of you all heard anything for sure about how and when this is going to happen?

I realize that we all have to be safe,but it is sure going to put a crimp in seed trading.I wonder if UPS or Fed X will be doing this too.

Couldn't read any other post on the matter; unless I am a paid Subscriber :(

But what I have read didn't sound good!
Thank you all for your opinions
Be Well
Sky

Hi all,

This is an interesting topic. I had a batch of mail order seed garlic that failed last year and wondered at the time if it had been irradiated. Perhaps we should use none USPS means of transport for anything live or inquire about special handling. Gives me the shivers just thinking about big brother irradiating something I touch every day (the mail) in the name of the public good.

Sky, I'm hardly an expert on four o'clocks - or much of anything else! LOL! I have tried saving the "roots" over the winter, but didn't think it was worth the effort. If I had a better place to store them, I might rethink that.

Send me an e-mail with your address and I'll put a package of seeds in the mail to you this week.

While in Spain a number of years ago, I found a garden center selling really thick roots from 4'oclocks. They produced the most beautiful plants and very thick and branching. Unfortunately, I did not get to protect them from the winter and they are gone now. :(

My mom's favorite flower was 4oclocks.

Cindy, I too would love some seeds, if you have any to spare.

Sue, I have seeds to spare and then some. LOL! Send me your mailing address and I'll get them out this week.

Sue how were the roots packaged? Any hints from seeing them as to how we might save them? When I pulled my 4'clocks last fall the root was just like a very very big carrot! I said dang, I should have left it! :(

Be well
Bev