Seed Collecting (and Trading?) 2025

[CapeCodBonsai]

I noticed that the sloes on my Blackthorn trees were starting to wither, which meant they were ripe enough for me to collect them for propagation. I carefully picked the fruit for about half an hour and ended up with more than enough material for what I needed. I was wondering if there were any other seed collectors out there who have an extra supply of a particular species that might be interested in trading.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I have access to practically infinite desert willow and mesquite. A lot of the species around here may not do well in wetter climates, though.
There are some more adaptable species locally, but they're probably collectable anywhere.
Piñon grows here, but being a mast species, this season will probably be a fairly sparse harvest, as last year was bountiful. Also, I've yet to figure out best practices for germinating and growing these from seed.
Many of the natives are not well-studied in bonsai, but I do have avenues for gathering seeds for many local desert species.
Although I don't think I would be successful with blackthorn here, I'm willing to gather some seeds of other species to mail out.

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

Although I don't think I would be successful with blackthorn here

Blackthorn is a tough and very hardy species. It tolerates a wide range of soil pH (acidic, neutral, and alkaline). It doesn’t tolerate consistently dry soils but, it doesn’t thrive in waterlogged soils either. Depending on your lifestyle, I think you could manage them with the right soil mix, watering schedule, and some sun protection.

 

[KateM]

I have no seeds to trade, except I can collect more field maple seeds...
I am very interested in getting some blackthorn seeds though.

 

[Zac]

Only seeds I have access to are sugar maple and other maples and Rose of Sharron.

 

[stubmle]

I have a bunch of ginkgo nuts. Seems like they have good viability- last year I planted a bunch from the same trees and most sprouted, though the blasted squirrels got to a lot of them. Seems like they'll sprout without special preparation, just need to clean off the flesh and plant them in the Fall. I'm planning to go back for more of them later this week. Would be happy to send some to whoever wants some in exchange for other material!
I also have some seeds from a blue atlas cedar, but no idea how viable they are, if at all.

Good sloe seeds especially seem to be hard to find online. Paid an arm and a leg for just a few of them last year and none sprouted!

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I think you could manage them with the right soil mix, watering schedule, and some sun protection.

I'd be willing to try, but I haven't had a lot of success with germination, and about as much with post-germination success with conifers. I have 2 seedlings of Ginkgo that have survived since May, my piñon only sprouted 5 of about 100, and they succumbed to whatever I did wrong. Broadleaf have seen better results, though. What kind of scarification and/or stratification do sloes need?

I can also get Alligator Juniper, and One-seed Juniper berries, but I have zero experience trying to germinate either one.

BTW, Desert Willow is VERY easy to propagate from seed. No stratification or scarification required.