On shipping, germination and seeds

First, an announcement about changes in the Shipping rates and destinations: Shipping and Delivery
The local shipping and handling rates have been in needed of revising since a couple of years ago. The new break-out on different rates depending on the order size aims to better reflect the time spent on packing the seeds and the materials consumed. With regret, we can no longer offer free shipping.

Germination talking, I would like to share a chance finding, which also opens a new subject of conversation regarding germination inhibitors contained in fleshy fruits/seeds.
A batch of Viburnum acerifolium fruits collected later in the fall had remained in a Ziploc bag awaiting cleaning. In order to avoid having them dry out to the point of being impossible to clean, I added a few drops of water in the bag. Time passed and I thought there were enough cleaned seeds of Maple leaf Viburnum for the season. The intention was to just sow the seeds from the Ziploc for myself (wanted to do it for some 2-3 years now). Busy times passed again, winter came and a few weeks ago what did I noticed in the purple mush from the Ziploc? A few roots! I placed the germinated seeds in vermiculite and in the fridge for their cold cycle required.

We know that Viburnum species do germinate at warm (roots only) and the shoots will grow after a cold period: Friday seeds and germination requirements for Viburnum species.

The surprise came from the fact that it is well known that the fleshy parts of fruits/seeds contain germination inhibitors. Something new to think about…

Seeds talking, there are still few moist packed species available. The restart of shipping was promised for February, then March…. Unfortunately, night temp. are still too low to expose ‘active’ seeds to various shipping routes. There is hope than in 1-2 weeks the weather will look more promising. The restart of moist packed seeds delivery and the available species will be announced.

Overall, there are signs that we can hope for the spring to arrive. Indoor seedlings are growing, birds are singing, and the first snowdrops are peeking up timidly from the ground.