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Seed shortages

13

Posts

  • Honeydew is such a common commercial variety, why bother grow it when they can be bought in season very cheaply? Surely other varieties that reach maturity faster without the ample sunshine you'd get in Spain and Italy are a better bet in Ireland. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • TagwexTagwex Posts: 44
    Honeydew is such a common commercial variety, why bother grow it when they can be bought in season very cheaply? Surely other varieties that reach maturity faster without the ample sunshine you'd get in Spain and Italy are a better bet in Ireland. 
    Hi, well I've grown that variety for a few years now and we have come to like it... maybe this is the year to experiment!
  • TagwexTagwex Posts: 44
    nick615 said:
    If you browse 'Melon seeds cork', Tom, there are a number offering them including, The Garden Shop, Greens of Ireland, Newlands and Fruit Hill Farm.  If you're desperate, the last one is between here and Bantry so I could go there.
    Hi Nick, tried all 4 of those that you suggested. No luck. Definitely no honeydew but there are other varieties, might be time for a change. Upon looking through the seed catalogues it is surprising how much is out of stock. Is the supply plentiful in you area? The outlets around here have about 20% of their racks empty.
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    I haven't a clue about availability, Tom.  I've never grown them and have scaled back on the size of our plot anyway.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    It does seem bizarre given the rate at which ash trees self seed.  They were all over the place where we lived before and in this garden we've had 2 mature specimens felled - too close to the house and branches flying off or falling every time there was any wind - but we still have 2 more big ones and a few younger ones plus some in our hedge.  Loads more in the lanes round here.

    Even before Brexit the RHS had banned the use of imported trees of any variety at its major shows and advocates quarantine for others.   Xylella is another worry affecting many treasured garden and parkland plants - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=435 and the last thing we need is the USA's rose rosette disease

    It really isn't worth taking risks with plants or seeds that have not been properly certified.   

     
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • TagwexTagwex Posts: 44
    pansyface said:
    What I have to say has nothing whatsoever to do with melon seeds, but a lot to do with phytosantiary compliance.

    Some years ago, when we were in the EU, someone legally imported ash trees from mainland Europe with all the correct paperwork.

    Round here, every other tree is an ash tree. Why anyone thought it necessary to import ash trees into this country is beyond me. But they did, and they legally imported ash dieback disease into this country. And I have to witness the consequences of their actions every time I look out of my window.

    Every day I see another tree on the hill behind our house begin to lean, to topple, its bark falling off. Young trees, not old ones, are propped up against each other with their twigs and branches falling to the ground. It looks like something from a horror film. No, not like a horror film, it is truly horrific. 

    Soon, there will be no ash trees in this area at all. Just millions of skeletons covering the landscape like fallen soldiers in a battlefield. It makes me literally weep.

    Unfortunate. We had that ash dieback around this area too, started about 15 years ago. Devastating effects. Came from imports.
  • TagwexTagwex Posts: 44
    nick615 said:
    I haven't a clue about availability, Tom.  I've never grown them and have scaled back on the size of our plot anyway.
    I meant seeds in general Nick. Lots of empty shelf spaces here. 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Those were the first I found.  I didn't delve further but there may well be honeydew or you could surprise her with a luscious new variety.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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