amorphophapllus seed packaging

From: "Petra Schmidt" <petra at plantdelights.com> on 2004.06.04 at 11:28:34(11567) Hello, Interesting comments on how to send amorphophallus seed through the mail system here. The preferred method, of course, is to send uncleaned berries but that goes against customs regulations and results in destruction of the package contents. Moist cleaned seed sent in damp spaghnum is a good idea if the package arrives in a few days. We've had small packages of seed held in customs for much longer than a few days and even cleaned seeds in damp spaghnum can rot and/or mush out and begin to show signs of fungus and when fungus is evident, the package is destroyed. Timing is important, from how long it takes to clean the seed to get it into packages to mail and then from how long it takes to get to customs, through customs, and then on to the seed receiver. Seed wrapped in newspaper/paper towels and placed in zip lock bags? Again, a few days in shipment, o.k. but it sounds like a recipe for fungal problems if held longer; we've had mushed seed arrive in the paper towel/plastic bag method and have been surprised to see the damage, i.e. poor germination. Anything in plastic bags at this time of year in the heat in this part of the USA is risky. I'll point out that seed cleaned and wrapped in dry spaghnum (not at all wet) and mailed is another option. Even the driest of seed can be revived by soaking in water for a few days and germination has always been high (including amorphophallus), the key being is that seed must be mature or close to being mature when harvested. Anyone else have other comments or suggestions? If we had more seeds to play with, it would be worthwhile to actually do a sample test on various packaging methods on aroid seed, mailed to/from/within the USA. Petra +More Petra Schmidt Research Manager Juniper Level Botanic Gardens @ Plant Delights Nursery 9241 Sauls Road Raleigh, NC 27603-9326 USA petra@plantdelights.com www.plantdelights.com

From: "ron iles" <roniles at eircom.net> on 2004.06.04 at 15:10:47(11570) What do you mean by "clean"? Whatever! Uncharacteristically wild suggestion? Clean" (????)seeds, then wash in baby disinfectant or whatever, make squeaky clean? Pack in live sphagnum impregnated with fungicide/bactericide? Or send clean(?) disinfected seeds in impregnated agar in petri dish or mini polybag then they can be plantlets on arrival? Insured air letter post? Oh wot fun! +More R ----- Original Message ----- To: Sent: Friday, June 04, 2004 12:28 PM Subject: [aroid-l] amorphophapllus seed packaging > Hello, > Interesting comments on how to send amorphophallus seed through the mail > system here. The preferred method, of course, is to send uncleaned berries > but that goes against customs regulations and results in destruction of the > package contents. Moist cleaned seed sent in damp spaghnum is a good idea > if the package arrives in a few days. We've had small packages of seed held > in customs for much longer than a few days and even cleaned seeds in damp > spaghnum can rot and/or mush out and begin to show signs of fungus and when > fungus is evident, the package is destroyed. Timing is important, from how > long it takes to clean the seed to get it into packages to mail and then > from how long it takes to get to customs, through customs, and then on to > the seed receiver. Seed wrapped in newspaper/paper towels and placed in zip > lock bags? Again, a few days in shipment, o.k. but it sounds like a recipe > for fungal problems if held longer; we've had mushed seed arrive in the > paper towel/plastic bag method and have been surprised to see the damage, > i.e. poor germination. Anything in plastic bags at this time of year in the > heat in this part of the USA is risky. I'll point out that seed cleaned and > wrapped in dry spaghnum (not at all wet) and mailed is another option. Even > the driest of seed can be revived by soaking in water for a few days and > germination has always been high (including amorphophallus), the key being > is that seed must be mature or close to being mature when harvested. > Anyone else have other comments or suggestions? If we had more seeds to > play with, it would be worthwhile to actually do a sample test on various > packaging methods on aroid seed, mailed to/from/within the USA. > Petra > > > > > Petra Schmidt > Research Manager > Juniper Level Botanic Gardens @ Plant Delights Nursery > 9241 Sauls Road > Raleigh, NC 27603-9326 USA > petra@plantdelights.com > www.plantdelights.com > >

From: "Peter Boyce" <peterboyce at myjaring.net> on 2004.06.04 at 21:59:33(11571) Hi Here in Malaysia ae've been informed that the seeds in berry problem with customs/plant quarantine is (with the exception of Australia & New Zealand) only a problem in the case of where there is no phyto - with a phyto seeds to the US go through without a hitch (of course in the good old days small shipments were ignored but with heightened security every package is scrutinized and the letter of the law followed to the letter). The big problem is getting the phyto. The Agri. folks here in Malaysia were very reluctant to issue a phyto for seeds (cleaned of fruit pulp or not) simply because of all the additional work it will involve since it includes seed transfers between Forestry Depts, etc., thoroughout ASEAN. Anyhow, after much negotiation we've now a agreement that we will be issued phytos for seed shipments and thus overcome the problems we've had shipping to the US. Pete +More ----- Original Message ----- To: Sent: Friday, June 04, 2004 7:28 PM Subject: [aroid-l] amorphophapllus seed packaging > Hello, > Interesting comments on how to send amorphophallus seed through the mail > system here. The preferred method, of course, is to send uncleaned berries > but that goes against customs regulations and results in destruction of the > package contents. Moist cleaned seed sent in damp spaghnum is a good idea > if the package arrives in a few days. We've had small packages of seed held > in customs for much longer than a few days and even cleaned seeds in damp > spaghnum can rot and/or mush out and begin to show signs of fungus and when > fungus is evident, the package is destroyed. Timing is important, from how > long it takes to clean the seed to get it into packages to mail and then > from how long it takes to get to customs, through customs, and then on to > the seed receiver. Seed wrapped in newspaper/paper towels and placed in zip > lock bags? Again, a few days in shipment, o.k. but it sounds like a recipe > for fungal problems if held longer; we've had mushed seed arrive in the > paper towel/plastic bag method and have been surprised to see the damage, > i.e. poor germination. Anything in plastic bags at this time of year in the > heat in this part of the USA is risky. I'll point out that seed cleaned and > wrapped in dry spaghnum (not at all wet) and mailed is another option. Even > the driest of seed can be revived by soaking in water for a few days and > germination has always been high (including amorphophallus), the key being > is that seed must be mature or close to being mature when harvested. > Anyone else have other comments or suggestions? If we had more seeds to > play with, it would be worthwhile to actually do a sample test on various > packaging methods on aroid seed, mailed to/from/within the USA. > Petra > > > > > Petra Schmidt > Research Manager > Juniper Level Botanic Gardens @ Plant Delights Nursery > 9241 Sauls Road > Raleigh, NC 27603-9326 USA > petra@plantdelights.com > www.plantdelights.com > > > [ Scanned by JARING E-Mail Virus Scanner ( http://www.jaring.my ) ] >

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