Like anyone else who hybridizes, I make more seeds than I can possibly plant and I've often thought about selling (or trading) them. What's stopped me is not knowing how to really go about it.

Can those of you who have bought or sold seeds give me some advice. Mostly how does one manage the packaging and shipping so the seeds will get there without being crushed. I keep most of mine in the fridge in those mini ziplock bags so would like to ship them in those , but in what envelope and what does the postage run? Am I correct to assume first class postage? Is there an extra charge because the envelope (padded?) is not flat?

I have used a small padded envelope and they usually run $3.50 - $4.00 postage for first class shipping with tracking and insurance. You can verify shipping information through USPS.com. The padding gives some protection against crushing but it's not a guarantee. With tracking and insurance you can make sure the package actually reaches it's destination. If it does not, or is delivered crushed, you can make a claim with USPS to recoup costs.

Usually, the small padded envelopes are culled by hand but are flat enough to go through the sorting machines which causes crushing. The P.O. can stamp a package to support handling by hand or your own FRAGILE or DO NOT CRUSH stamp will do the same. Those stamps are usually red.

You can also sign up for a USPS account and use "click and ship" to print your own shipping labels. You can also schedule a mail pick-up at your address.

Excellent topic, daylilly99. Some of the sellers I won from on the LA wrapped the seeds in bubble wrap, then placed in a padded envelope.

I'm hoping someone will say how they store the seeds to keep them nice before they get them sold.

Thanks Robin and Josie. As to how to store the seeds, I store mine through the winter in the fridge and plant them in late winter to begin growing inside under lights. The most important thing is to put them in small bowls or some such to thoroughly dry before putting them into the tiny plastic or coin envelopes for winter storage. I put those in another container and examine them from time to time just in case mold does show up. Despite my best efforts, some were moldy when I recently went through them all.

I do click and ship at home for daylily plants (and other things) send Priority Mail. It never dawned on me that I could print other types of postage with my account. I wonder how much the smallest flat rate box postage is. It might be worth it if enough was being shipped.

You're very welcome, you can get a lot of seeds in those small envelopes.

I ship seeds in boxes I get from Uline, I buy 100 at a time and ship 1st class mail for about the same $ as a padded envelope. Its to expensive to ship seeds Priority Mail, and 1st class will get there just as fast most times.

"The most important thing is to put them in small bowls or some such to thoroughly dry before putting them into the tiny plastic or coin envelopes for winter storage."

daylilly99, how many days seems to be good?

Fred, I've read many good reviews about your boxes.

josieskid said:"The most important thing is to put them in small bowls or some such to thoroughly dry before putting them into the tiny plastic or coin envelopes for winter storage."

daylilly99, how many days seems to be good?

Two days seems to be good (mostly). That being said, I did have to throw away some that got moldy, so maybe 3 to be safe. I have lots of little bowls (or custard cups) and put the bag the seeds came in (with the cross written on it) underneath the bowl until I use it for the dried seeds.

No, daylilly99, I meant the ones you collect from the garden. The ones you're meaning to sell on the LA.

spunky1 said:I ship seeds in boxes I get from Uline, I buy 100 at a time and ship 1st class mail for about the same $ as a padded envelope. Its to expensive to ship seeds Priority Mail, and 1st class will get there just as fast most times.

Thanks Fred. I've looked into the boxes (40 cents each?) and also the USPS rates for first class parcels up to 13 oz. which vary according to # of ounces and distance mailed. It also looks like I would have to take the parcels to the post office but maybe I could just buy a bunch of different stamps to put on the boxes since I do have a scale here.

I think for now I will just give them away for S&H of $10 using priority mail (which I'm familiar with) and offer a choice of 10-15 crosses per box - if anyone is interested.

For future reference, do you mind letting me know what your average shipping cost is and what you usually get for a packet of seeds? Also, how many seeds per packet is normal?

josieskid said:No, daylilly99, I meant the ones you collect from the garden. The ones you're meaning to sell on the LA.

I am talking about the seeds from my own crosses. I collect them into the little zip lock bags, bring them inside and dry them 2-3 days, then back into the bag and store in the fridge over winter. I've now planted all the ones I really want to/have room for and they are sprouting so the extras should be able to go elsewhere.

Maybe some day I'll sell on the LA, but for now I'll see if anyone here wants some for $10 S&H. I have a list of those I'm ready to get rid of right now and will post it on the buy, sell forum.

"I collect them into the little zip lock bags, bring them inside"

So you don't bring them inside in their pods, you shell them out into the little baggies while you're still in the garden? Or you put the pod inside the little baggie? Genius! Very secure!

"Despite my best efforts, some were moldy when I recently went through them all."

Do you pick out the moldy ones, like sorting beans? Do you through them away or try to save them?

Mary,

I most always shell them in the garden. I write the name of the cross on the bag, shell them into the bag, put the hybridizing hang tag in my basket to be taken back to the house so I can scrub off the pencil (comet and a scrubby sponge) and have the tag to use again if it's not broken. It all goes into the kitchen with me where I empty the bags into small bowls as previously mentioned.

If I happen to need to collect a pod and I don't have a pen for some reason, I have been know to shove a whole pod with the hang tag into a baggie (or my basket or pocket if it's only one. The baggies are pretty small and some pods get pretty big, plus the garden is close to the compost pile which is where the empty pods are going. This is just what's convenient for me and some other way probably works better for others.

As to sorting the seeds ... there have been times when I saw mold and the seeds were still firm so I did try to save them if they mattered to me. I think it was probably a water-hydrogen peroxide brief soak and drying off. Did this work? I really can't remember. Anything I notice being squishy when gently squeezed gets tossed.

I put hang tag in baggie with pod. Bring in and go from there.

daylilly99, I tried to give you 3 acorns!

Thank you for all your help, sweetheart!

josieskid said:daylilly99, I tried to give you 3 acorns!

Thank you for all your help, sweetheart!

I appreciate it, but I seriously don't even know what acorns are all about. You squirrels should keep all your nuts in case you need them for something (just don't bury them in my garden please).

Id be glad to send you both some acorns if you would like to buy a badge or two.