You can go HERE to see what mail zone you are from the recipient, or vice versa. You can then go HERE to see the costs of different weights to different mail zones. I think I can send a 2 LB box to everyone pretty well east of the Mississippi for $5.95 or less as they are all in mail zone 4 or less from me. That same 2 LB box though, sent to someone in mail zone 8 from me (like CA or WA) would be $9.55. That is why I won't usually respond to trade posts made by those who don't have their location shown either on their member page or in their post. Whatever I might be considering trading might be worth an outlay of $5.95, but not worth me spending $9.55. I often see folks wanting to trade flat rate boxes. I 'know' that oftentimes they could mail a box of the exact same dimensions and weight, and would pay considerable less if they paid by the pound. I guess it is just too complicated for some to consider though....besides not having a scale or any idea what a box weighs. I receive in a lot of plant trades that could have been mailed more economically had the Flat Rate box not been used. In case you or anyone is interested, below is a link to some nice (reasonably priced) postal scales at Ebay. $20 or less, including postage is a great buy. It helps me so much when sending plants or even on seeds Sue Here is a link that might be useful: Postage scales on Ebay

I've received seeds from trades in all the methods & styles mentioned above. They all appear to be successful and allow seedaholics to choose the method that works best for them. Plastic baggies - I've found what works best for me are the smaller 2" x 3" zip-envelopes, also available at Walmart if you hit it when they're in stock, 100 @ $1.00. If I see them late in the season, I buy multiple packages. I use sticky labels, also available from Walmart, that can be printed from my computer. I include botanical name, common name, cultivar name, USDA hardiness zone, height, light & moisture requirements, bloom time & color along with any extra pertinent plant or growing information. If there's room, I'll include year harvested in brackets. Before mailing, I Google the seed name and do a little research so the information on the label is current, however I sometimes wonder if that information changes as time goes by. Mailing seeds - I use bubble mailers of different sizes but usually the smaller 5" x 7" size. Bubble mailers I receive get torn apart/cut up or reused as is if they're not too travel-damaged. For single trades I'll tape the seed envelope to a piece of recycled bubble envelope and tuck it inside a standard envelope with "PLEASE DO NOT MACHINE - SEEDS" on the front in the lower left-hand corner. After 2 years of sending seeds via mail in this way, I've not heard of anyone receiving crushed seeds. When harvesting seeds over the course of the season, I set them in paper bowls or spread them on paper platters that are placed on shelf units inside the garage to dry. This also allows any crawlies that may have taken up residence inside the seedpods to depart the premises of their own free will. Once thoroughly dry, seeds are stored in small plastic salad dressing cups with clear, snap-on lids I'm able to buy from the cafeteria where I work. They last from year to year and are re-used. Generally I try to not have seeds leftover from year to year despite evidence that they remain viable for many years. This thread is a good idea and hopefully we'll hear from plenty of folks with other ideas/methods for seed preservation and sharing.

your email must be in non functional mode---replied to your email on the 12th----have PP cactus cuttings boxed and ready to go to you---with a surprise (peanut cactus cuttings too) let me know if you still want them

YIKES! I saw this thread and had to go back and re-read the original swap thread, I thought I missed the deadline! WHEW! I have been so d@mn busy that I haven't had time to shop. I will make an effort to get started today. Can't wait to see what's in your package, Maryanne. Having been the recipient of one of Michelle's swap boxes I can tell you it will be wonderful! Linda