The Meconopsis Group - About the Seed Exchange (Add)

About the Seed Exchange

One of the benefits of joining The Meconopsis Group is having access to its seed exchange. Whilst a reasonable number of different Meconopsis plants can be bought from specialist nurseries, rarer species and hybrids are seldom seen or soon sold out. Consequently,The Meconopsis Group organises an annual seed exchange, from which it is possible to obtain the seed of many species, some commercially unavailable. The seed exchange relies upon the seed generously donated by members and does not buy in seed from third parties. As is normal practice with seed exchanges, priority in seed allocation is given to donors. In the interest of conservation, The Meconopsis Group seeks to promote the growing of Meconopsis from seed so that those species already in cultivation can be maintained and conserved, whilst new introductions can become established and made more widely available for study. We maintain a full list of recognised taxa, with species and their sub-species and varieties. There is information about growing plants from seed here.
It should be appreciated that many Meconopsis species (e.g. Meconopsis paniculata) are monocarpic (i.e. they die after flowering and setting seed), and therefore need to be raised regularly from seed in order to keep them in cultivation. This is particularly important with the rarer and trickier species (e.g. Meconopsis yaoshanensis).		Meconopsis paniculata	Meconopsis yaoshanensis
Meconopsis baileyi	Even plants of some perennial species (e.g. Meconopsis baileyi or Meconopsis 'Lingholm') may suffer during a very hot, dry summer or an exceptionally wet winter, so they may need to be replaced. If they are well fed they will be strong and healthy, and can last for many decades.	Meconopsis 'Lingholm'
A further advantage of raising a large number of plants from seed is that this can produce a bigger floral display, or allow plants to be tried in various situations of soil and shade around the garden. The image shows four different species in a garden display.

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