Re: seed exchange

Carrie
The Seed Savers Exchange is a seed bank (of sorts) where open pollinated seeds are
grown out, maintained and redistributed to other gardeners for a very small fee.  In 1997 there were over 11,000 unique varieties listed in the yearbook by over 1,000 listed members from all over the world.   Here's how it works-you pay your dues (somewhere around $25 per year) and if you have any open-pollinated veggie seed you send in that listing once a year in the fall.  Your name and address is listed along with the seed offered.  You are now a "listed" member.  Other listed members can reference your seed and request a sample (25 seeds of your tomato listing for example) for a small, set fee-still $1 I think) .  If you have no seeds to offer you are a "non-listed" member and can still request seed but the choices may be more limited and the fee is higher-although still only a couple of dollars.  I believe they also have a flower exchange that works the same way and maybe even a fruit and nut exchange by now.  This is not a seed catalog,  so members are strongly encouraged to grow out, save and redistribute these seeds each year to try to maintain these seeds.  Some are extremely rare, and  many are varieties that have been dropped from catalogs over the years in favor of the more popular hybrids.  Because of the efforts of SSE, some  of these varieties are now being reoffered commercially by large and small seed houses alike.

They may have a web site-so try searching Seed Savers Exchange.  I have been subscribing on and off since 1982 and they are a great source of info.  I have received many different varieties -some I still grow every year here in Colorado.

Their address (as of 1997) is 3076 North Winn Road Decorah, Iowa 52101.  In addition to the
yearbood you also recieve 2 other publications, a summer and harvest edition with great articles.

Caron in Colorado
 
 

Carrie Thomas-CR wrote:

Hey, I'd like to know more about this seed savers exchange, and any info they
have on seed saving etc.  Can you help further, Caron?

-Carrie-
 

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From: Caron Rifici <caron@pcisys.net> on 30/10/99 13:38

Please respond to propagation@mallorn.com

To:   propagation@mallorn.com
cc:    (bcc: Carrie Thomas-CR/PGI)
Subject:  Re:

Carrie
  My understanding is that the fermentation process *both* removes the
germinmination inhibitors and protects the seeds against viral and fungal attack
by sterilizing them to a degree.   Maybe someone else can elaborate on this.
This is the only method I've used as it is the one recommended by the Seed
Savers
Exchange so I have no comparisons.

Caron

Carrie Thomas-CR wrote:

> Thanks for this info, Margaret.  I found it fascinating.  However, I have not
> had germination problems.  Could I be removing enough of the gel in my process
> to remove inhibition, or is it that my seeds would just take longer to
> germinate, or less will germinate?
> Can you (or anyone else) help further?
>
> -Carrie-
>
> I scoop the seed from the tomato, put between two same-sized sieves (flour
> >sieves/tea strainers etc), and use my fingers each side of the sieves to
> press
> >and maul to encourage the seed to separate from the mush surrounding it.
> This
> >is done under running water.
> >Dry seeds by spreading on newspaper to dry, run a knife under them to lift
> off.
> >Quick and easy!  Metal sieves work best, tho' plastic ones are easier to
> find.
> >
> >-Carrie Thomas-  S W Wales
> >
> Yes, but Carrie, fermentation destroys the anti-germination gel around the
> seeds. Much easier and more effective. Margaret L
>
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