[aroid-l] 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

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