Wild Service request for Roving UK Seed Collectors

[Karen_Grace]

Cheers pskipper

I might just buy some

[the.fee.fairy]

when the leaves come out, i'll have a look round the forest to see what can find. There must be one there somewhere!!

I also want to be more up on my fungi and wild foods, then i can get dinner while i'm there!!

[Boots]

What's "cold stratify"?

[pskipper]

Put it in the fridge in a just moist sandy seedling compost, that way it will germinate even if you don't get cold enough winters.

[the.fee.fairy]

just had a thought Boots - do they irradiate stuff coming into Aus?

[Boots]

Dunno.... Spose it depends how things arrive...

[the.fee.fairy]

Hmmm....do they xray everything? I don't want to send some seeds that will be infertile by the time they get to you!!

can't think of any way of smuggling them in either..

[Boots]

Hmmm.

Really dunno. I sent a poet over there some eucalyptus seeds a year or so back and he managed to raise them, so they were ok.

How big are the seeds? Are they lil wee ones, or are they big bulky acorn types???? If they come in an envelope then as far as I know customs just runs a dog over them, but if they need a parcel then they might get extra attention....

... and your end could be completely different....

bugger. damn. poop... Has this just moved into the Too Hard basket?

[Karen_Grace]

No!!! D****it!! I won't buy some! I'd rather die!!!

Foresooth.... I will search and search untill I find the holy grail

Unless the glorious and beautiful Fee Fairy gets there before me!!!!

In which case I will beg, pittifully for seeds

[the.fee.fairy]

I don't know how big the seeds are yet - can't find any trees yet - they're all a bit bare looking.

I think they're going to be berry-type size, like...umm...a rosehip or holly berry.

I shall definitely go looking as soon as the trees are in leaf, i have trouble identifying them otherwise. If i find any, then i shall send as many as i can find, don't worry!

if i can find some...when the trees are in leaf...eventually!

[the.fee.fairy]

I think i found one!!!

I saw a tree that looked like it might be, and there were some berries on it (shrivelled up and old-looking mind you!).

I'm going to wait til there are leaves to be certain, but i think i saw one!!

Anyone know what the berries look/smell like when they're squashed?

[Boots]

No idea... but have decided to get excited anyway!!!