Plot, I'm surprised that you had that experience; they have always answered the phone when I called them. In fact, I called them today, since I just sent them the list of seeds I will offer in 2007, which was actually due _there_ today. (Kicking self in sitting muscles) Seeds which I have already made available on GW, for the most part. :-) I wonder if you called the correct number? At the bottom of their home page, there are 2 numbers; one is for fax only. But since this is their off-season, and they are beginning the difficult task of entering data for the new Yearbook (a massive annual undertaking), I suppose it is possible that the phones could have been left unattended for awhile. As to their customer service, I confess to having been frustrated at times myself. While their response on the phone (or in person, during a visit) has been satisfactory, I pretty much gave up on letters & emails, because they often went unanswered. I would like to hope that they were read, since I have addressed some important issues... but I'll never know, I guess. And ironically, that is one of the issues I addressed in a letter, and which I commented on in my first post above. If SSE is a grass-roots organization, I think the lawn's getting a little brown. ;-) It needs some fertilizer, and a little TLC, from the landlord. They have been in a building phase, increasing the size of their property, updating their facilities, and making better public access to their grounds. They have increased the numbers of varieties that they are able to grow each year. Their ability to raise money successfully has made many of these improvements possible, and I dont want to diminish the magnitude of what they have accomplished; but I wonder if along the way, they have lost something equally important. That is, the closeness, the sense of family that you would expect from those who share a sense of purpose. True, one of the trademarks of a grassroots organization is that it is made up of mustangs, free spirits, people who seldom fully agree on anything (lol). But I still believe that SSE management can - and should - do more to bring its members together, and provide some training & encouragement. This wouldn't cost a lot of money, or take a lot of time. It just takes leadership. They have been successful at selling seeds; but they should be just as diligent at selling the dream, and recruiting new soldiers to the cause. Its not a question of informing people of the urgency of the mission, they already do that with their publications. Its more a question of empowerment; of seeing to it that every new member feels welcome, knows that they have a place in the organization, and receives recognition for the part that they play. When they paint their grand vision of the future - a vision I and many others share - they need to paint their members into the picture, too. Plot, your experience illustrates that problem. I would like to see a "welcome aboard" and "thank you" program aggressively implemented. New members bring a lot of enthusiasm, and that should be nurtured & harnessed, not discouraged. Heck, if it were up to me, all new members would receive a sample of an accession not being offered by anyone, and a certificate appointing them as the custodian! Obviously, I wouldn't use anything really rare for this... but the point is that SSE would have demonstrated their trust. I think many new members would respond positively to such a move, and might go on to become listed members. I firmly believe that the future of the organization hangs on the issues of recruitment & encouragement, as the level of involvement by the founding members continues to diminish. Absent the devotion of the many listed members keeping seed publicly accessible, regardless of their many other noteworthy accomplishments, SSE becomes just another faceless seed bank. There are other things that would contribute to a more welcoming atmosphere, but those are issues I will address to them personally. This kind of conversation is very difficult for me, because I _am _ totally loyal to the organization. Theyve got me for life. Regardless of their failings, or what I or others may think should be done differently, they are still accomplishing great things. But just as a true friend will tell you when youre wrong, I will continue to disagree with policies (or lack of them) that I believe are not in the best long-term interests of the organization. I just hope that SSE management is eventually willing to listen to those concerns... or at least acknowledge them. Sometimes when your vision is focused on the far horizon, you trip over the rock at your feet. Im the one going "Look out! Rock!"....."Sorry, I meant look out _for_ that rock". (lol) In closing, Plot, try not to let the little things get you down. You will find that the contacts & opportunities that present themselves will more than compensate for the inconveniences. And by all means, express your reservations in a letter to SSE; when the voices rise to a chorus, maybe theyll listen. Just keep it civil... have some oreos first. ;-) And from me to you, welcome aboard!

Hi there all- Yep Ann- I posted back on the 20th that I had received your envelope- thanks again for the very nice selection sent in! I received a few more envelopes today- Roflol, Clay Lady, Kliddle, and Nan6161! Whew- so many many great seeds you all have sent in! I am using a laundry basket with an alpha-accordion file for the general swap- and individual pocket manila folders for each member- and I am already running out of room with only 13 member envelopes out of 38 members (so far) sent in! That IS a lot of seeds!- OK- a lot of paper too but hey- Shilohyn - how ever many or few you send in is GREAT! The mix is wonderful too. They are sure to be appreciated by those who receive them! I hope I have been answering questions as they appear on the board here- But some of the entries are being "squished" so that I can not read them- It must be time to start a new update thread- but I think I will wait till Sunday if I can. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail if I missed your important question- Thanks- Julie

Warning to Australians. Taxodium distichum is a nasty drain-clogging weed. Gingkos seem to do no harm, but are easily available from any nursery here. I don't know the others, but do we really need any more exotic plants here? Surely the days when cutting-edge gardening consisted of growing collections of foreign plants are over? It's all a bit old hat. Growing our own natives is where the excitement is happening. There are so many of them that are not available in the more ordinary commercial nurseries, but are very rewarding to those who seek them out (and I'm told this applies in the US of A as well as here.)

You aren't kidding! Nothing grows at the North Pole!! :D Just watch Logee's plants, I used to order from them all the time and got some plant diseases on some succulents I had purchased and then they transferred to my Christmas cacti which I was bummed about, so I had to pitch them. To be fair Logee's said they would help if I wanted them to, but I didn't bother. They have excellent exotics, though some are pricey.