Berries from seed?

[Bridgette]

interesting thread
would elderberry come under this category?

YAY! 'Elderberries' I know!!!

The seeds thrown down will definitely do the trick... far easier than cuttings - tried 25 cuttings... lost 25 cuttings!
Here's an interesting 'theory' though. I bought my first plant in 2002 - it was about 20cm tall... by 2005 it had only grown to 65cm tall. Then in summer '05 my husband went abroad and left me to continue potty-training 2 little boys... the garden was just too close and convenient ! Both my little one's favoured the elderberry above all else... and by autumn '06 (less than a full year later!) my elderberry had shot up to 1.6m!!! Does this mean that elderberry prefer acidic soil? (I'm presuming that urine is acidic...)

[ina]

It's also full of nitrogen - that will have helped!

[burek]

prospects look good then! And I'm sure I'll hear no complaints from DH and DS about peeing along the hedgeline... passing shepherds may not be too impressed though!

[Bridgette]

Oh hells bells!!!

I went to the berry farm this afternoon - mentioned further up in this forum... hoping that I could buy seeds or plants... anything!!! They have absolutely no problem growing it out in the open, but they don't sell any of the above... and they sterilise their fruit!!!!!!!!!! What's up with that? ...considering that they're one of only 2 berry growers in the entire country!
At least I finally got to taste a few different berries though tay berries, blackcurrants and raspberries
...but 'unfortunately', now I'm even more determined to grow them!

.........SO PLEASE HELP ME!!!

Please can't some of you 'squash' some berries, dry them between blotting paper and post them to me?
PLEASE!
Years ago, a friend posted me a variety of seeds from the UK - including strawberries 'squashed' on blotting paper - it worked!!!
I'm sure berries would also grow from this process...

Please, please, please will somebody help me...
I WANT TO GROW BERRIES!!!

Pretty please

My address is: PO Box 13322, N1 City, 7463, South Africa
Thanks so much for responding to my lame dilemma!
Bridgette

[possum]

(I'm presuming that urine is acidic...)

No alkali, think baby nappy smell, think amonia

[burek]

don't think I'd get away with posting to you from here - the woman at the post office is VERY strict and VERY scary!
But am bumping this thread for you to see if anyone else will help you from a contry with a kinder postal system!

[Annpan]

I was ignoring the request as I am pretty sure it is quite seriously illegal (without a permit or something) Bio hazards and all that...Sorry

[possum]

I was ignoring the request as I am pretty sure it is quite seriously illegal (without a permit or something) Bio hazards and all that...Sorry

It depends on the country regulations, I don't know about SA. It would be in NZ, but then it is the country where you have to sterilize your walking boots before you are allowed in.

[Bridgette]

Hey everybody!
I kind of get the feeling I upset a few people with my previous request for berry seeds - I truly apologise .
I've never really put much thought into it - I've always asked for different seeds from family members in the UK and they've always taken seeds back with them... we just never got around to berries as apparently they aren't available 'in seed'.
But on the brighter side - ...to my mystery donor from Norwich - THANK YOU !
It's been nearly 2 weeks now and my raspberries are shooting!!! - I only planted the tayberry 'squashings' last week, so am still waiting... in great anticipation! Will send pics when I actually start growing berries - I can't wait!!!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
...(am delirious with hope and aniticipation!)
Regards,
Bridgette

[possum]

I don't see why people should have taken offense to the request, they didn't have to send any if they didn't agree with the request. However it probably is worth while finding out any regulations covering seed import, just in case you find yoursef on the wrong side of the law. Each country is different, around here MAF are feared more than the police.