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Seed trading? (self.gardening)

submitted 4 days ago by CascadianGiraffe to c/gardening

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I was a participant in the 'other site' when there was an active seed trading sub. Is there a Lemmy equivalent or is that something we could do in this group?

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[–] CascadianGiraffe 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (3 children)

I hesitate because I'm not sure I have the time or dedication to moderate one.

Also, there are so many communities that are inactive, I feel like it might just be yet another empty one. I'd rather see more engagement in places like this that could really use the additional traffic.

The only reason I didn't just start a post to do so is that I'm not sure it'd be allowed or if maybe there's already people doing this somewhere else. I don't want to take focus away from them either.

If there's enough interest here I would totally create a new post with guidelines to help people connect. Also, this requires trading personal information somehow and that can get weird. I'm not worried about it, but I expect other people would be.

[–] The_v 1 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I strongly discourage seed trading from unknown and untested sources.

There are tons of diseases and pests that can be shared with he seed. Many of them once established can wreck havoc on local agriculture and the environment.

This isn't some esoteric "Maybe" it will happen. It happens every year, constantly, all around the world.

But hey, go ahead and fuck up the planet because you want to have a hobby.

[–] CascadianGiraffe 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I hadn't even considered that. I guess I've been lucky with all of my past trades? I did some looking at information and studies from several universities.

I'll probably still trade because most of it can be treated. I know I save and offer good seeds, but I'll likely check any seeds I get or treat them to be sure.

If anyone else is interested, here is a link to a PDF that had some of the better information on treating seeds.

https://plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/sites/plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/PPFS-VG-09.pdf

[–] The_v 1 points 3 days ago

Please do NOT attempt to disinfect your own seeds. It sounds like a good idea but in practice it's not.

It takes some very precise equipment to effectively utilize this method. If you don't do it correctly you can kill the seeds or select for resistance to the disinfectant in the pathogen. Neither is a good option.

It also doesn't work that well unless you do all the things not in the paper perfectly. Stuff like, harvest the seed at the correct maturity, treat the seed within a limited number of days. Disinfect at the right moisture level etc... it all gets extremely complicated and very species specific.

Oh and you also have to be sure to know the pathogen you are disinfecting. For example bleach and hot water does little against TMV in tomatoes and peppers. Now a TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) bath immediately after harvest is highly effective.