Nearly one year on.

Well done SG what a exciting blog I have added you to favorites so I can keep watching progress.

Thank you Scotkat. I am amazed at the variety of seedlings. I never expected that Iberis saxitilis to pop up in that pretty colour. I sowed them in deep pots so that I will not need to pot them on until the Spring. There is a huge amount to learn.

What an undertaking! It sounds fascinating, and the plants look extremely promising :-)

I'm sure there will be many gardeners around the world extremely grateful for your efforts Scotsgran. I know I would be.
Well done on what's come up so far and I do hope the rest germinate for you. You've a few nice ones in there!
Until VERY recently sowing seeds scared me - I'm not good at 'little things' but my Meconopsis seeds have germinated - whether or not they get through winter is another matter (discussed with Bjs.) Still seed left in the fridge for a spring sowing.

Oh gawd, another one hooked. I do hope that you realise that interaction with the Seedex is terminal, Scotsgran, and that the Health Centre can't give you a pill for it!
Nice, healthy looking seedlings; you will have fun potting them on in the spring - though leave the Cyclamen in their pots for another year yet.

well, well done you and I'm glad OH wont be a widower :o)

I daren't get into that malarkey not enough hours in a day. maybe when I retire.......

My part in the seed exchange was minimal Mel. By the time I got my allocation of seeds to sort they had already been received by one member who catalogued them according to the name given by the donor. Then they go to a learned chap who checks the seeds are as named. He might be able to immediately agree that the name is correct but there must be a quite a few that he has to research to ensure the quality control is as good as it can be. There are over 5000+ yes 5000+ different seeds to be sorted. They arrive in bulk, there may only be a few seeds in the donor packs or there may be thousands. The packers get the donor packs to break down into however many packets of any given seed were distributed the year before. Depending on the size and availability of the variety the packer puts between 5 and 50 seeds in a packet. While the packing is being done the seed list is being compiled, printed and also put on the website. Members can then order their choices, and they can also give alternatives in case their first choice has run out by the time the volunteers get round to picking their requested seeds. Members who donate seed are at the top of the queue in the picking order and we have until around the 15th of January to send in an order. The people who organise it are well versed in the process and it runs reasonably well like clockwork. They put all the hard work in and those of us who pack and pick are confident that it will all work. Seeds not required for the packing stage are returned to the supervisor. If necessary more can be packed if we run short. There is a lot more to it than I can go into without boring you but it is a tremendous achievement. 2012/13 was the 66th exchange. Scottish I hope I can get these through the winter too. Thank you for the timely advice Bb. Yes I'm hooked. You mean I can cancel the appointment with the GP on Wednesday. But you will know all about that as you and Mg are in the same boat. LOL. I'm delighted with those cyclamen. SBG don't wait until you retire. There are not enough hours in the day from Day 1 of retirement. You have to fight off all the people who think you need something to keep you occupied regardless of what you fancy doing especially if they have just a little job that they need help with. I hope to show all the lovely flowers eventually.

A HUGE undertaking!!!

It's very exciting :o) I hope you will see them flower next year.

I hope so Hywel

Well done you !

I still have to get them through the winter. I have started bringing them in to the greenhouse because I cannot protect them outside and I fear we may be in for a hard winter.