This years challenge .Growing your own scarecrow...CarolineJ versus Jeannine

[Jeannine]

Carolinej mentioned in a PM that she had scarecrow seeds and dared me to grow some, a bit like the challenge we had going about the smallest pumpkin a few years ago.

Well I couldn't turn this one down so I said yes to the seeds. I asked her to some in my swap parcel which she had at the time.

This was the reply I got from  her..................... 

" I went to the post office to check the proper procedure for posting scarecrow seeds. The lady at the counter seemed quite disturbed by the enquiry and had to contact DEFRA for a definitive answer.

Anyway, they said that it would be unacceptable to pop the seeds in the swap box, due to the extremely high volatility of the seed.

Apparently, when they have been sent through the post, occasionally, they have got wet due to the vast amount of inclement weather we get in wales. This has led to premature germination of the seed. Some postmen have suffered serious injury from the shrapnel thrown around during the excessively violent germination process.

So, I have been advised to send them with a specialised carrier, who are used to dealing with such unstable packages. It wasn't cheap, but they guarantee that the seed will be with you before the end of the year in an ungerminated state.

They will ring you before they deliver, so they can be sure you will be in to receive the package, preventing it being left out in the rain.

I hope it arrives soon."

c x

I am very excited and am sure you will all follow on, I am told the seeds are in limited supply .

So Caroline, you are on.. it is right here in print now. so know backing out..let battle begin.

I am turning on my customs made hotbox this nest week so hope the seeds arrive shortly. My postie has been warned and has combat  and riot gear at the ready for delivery day. He brings the UPS stuff too so probably will get this delivery. I understand that due to the rarity of them here Canada has no restriction on import, the opposite in fact, I shall have to be very careful who I tell about them in case it is demanded of me that I share..I shall not..but will have some very similar seeds made from Fimo on hand to give them if I am ordered to do.

One good thing, my postie is a seed collector so he will keep  quiet, I can bribe him with some exploding cucumber seeds which he is partial too.

So gal, we are almost ready at this end. I don't want to put you off but please bear in mind I have a longer growing season than you... do you need a head start to make it fair?

I have the yeast mixture already fermenting to soak them in before sowing, it should be just about ready by the time they arrive.

Let battle commence.

XX Jeannine

[Jeannine]

[Jayb]

Oooooh lucky you. I didn't know they were still around, perhaps its a Welsh thing. My Grannie told me she had seen them growing when she was little, but thought they had been lost following the war.

[Jeannine]

No apparently I understand that a few local Welsh folks hid them in the village leek patch when they wer all rounded up.

It is exciting and I do feel very confident winning this one.. I can get bear poo for manure so I have a few advantages  stuck up my knicker leg.

Just waiting for Carolyn to officially accept.

Are you going to be one of our cheer leaders JayB.

XX Jeannine

[Digeroo]

Fascinated what precisely are scarecrow seeds? or is this a spoof.

[caroline7758]

Can I just say this is nothing to do with me! ;D

[springbok]

Put me out my misery, what are scarecrow seeds  ;D ;D

[Mushy Pea]

Hope you are going to post piccy's.  :D

MP

P.S. I wouldn't use flash as I have heard scarecrow seeds are very photosensitive!  :o

[carolinej]

Well Jeannine, it looks like you have decided to take up the challenge. I'm well up for it and raring to go ;D

I hope the seeds arrive soon....I dont want them hanging around in uncontrolled environments for too long. Especially after the incident on my lottie with the dog and the rhubarb....but then again, that was so disturbing, I dont want to discuss it :o

I, too , have my yeast fermenting and am going to get down to the business of soaking the seed when my new wellies and face mask arrive.

Are you going to be planting during any particular lunar phase? I'm not sure which will be best for you, living so far away (from me....not the moon ::)). I suppose, being in the same hemisphere, then we could always plant on the same day. I know I will need a longer season here in wales, but I'm sure I can compensate for that with some of the tricks....I mean techniques , I have up my sleeve.

Off to stir my yeast ;D

c x

[Digeroo]

Is all fools day on a different day in Canada?

[Mushy Pea]

Is all fools day on a different day in Canada?

I don't think it matters on A4A  ;D

Carolinej I hope you pre warmed Jeannines seeds with Dragon breath to assist germination. I don't think any Welsh dragons are living in Canada at the moment.

MP

[1066]

I heard that Scarecrow seeds like to be fed Lava Bread, or that's what my Welsh granny told me .......  :D

[1066]

or was it bara brith - memory is fading, and I'd hate there be a fatal mix up

:o  :o  :o

where's an expert when you need one !

[Kepouros]

This is all a bit silly.  Every gardener worth his stripes knows that growing scarecrows from seed is a long winded and chancey business, and with all this hybridisation these days you don`t know whether, at the end of the day, your scarecrow is going to turn out as a Brad Pitt or an Elvis Presley - either of which is as likely to attract the birds as repel them.

The simple and sensible way to propagate a scarecrow is to slice a few slivers off one that most takes your fancy - preferrably from fairly low down on the stem.  Potted in a suitable growing medium (not too much nitrogen or the hair might become too lush, and neutral pH to avoid chlorosis of the features) these may safely be left outdoors to root and should then grow away strongly to become mature specimens in the same season.

Changes of apparel will become necessary as growth progresses, and I always prefer mine to bloom in pure M & S, but I have seen several quite impressive specimens clad in George from ASDA

[Jeannine]

Well Caroline it seems we are officially on!! It also seems we have a few cheer leaders, plus at least one Clever Dick who might join in and try to beat us..we will be both watching you.. Mind you growing from seed is what the challenge is. so those of you who join in by propagating will have to be in a subsection.

Iam told by someone who lives in Tibet..and don't ask cos I am not telling, that after they yeast treatment they need extreme heat for 24 hours to harden the shell, it is only after this time that the seed is able to pop.. and a propagator is not enough, so I would like to know hw you plan to get round that one.. the 500 degrees of your oven is not high enough, and microwaving is out due to the pop,if it worked and it would be doubtful the micro would probably go through your wall and kill off any passers by.

You could don goggles and use a acetylene torch I guess but for 24 hours without a break that would prove difficult and you risk getting them wet, very dangerous once they have dried after yeasting..unless you set up in the loo and sat down for the specified time,that would work.

I needless to say have made provision for the 24 hour heating, but I am keeping it to myself for now.

I trust that the seeds you are sending me are equal in all things to the ones you are keeping for yourself. Hva you informed the authorities that you are doing a grow out this year or are you just risking it like me.

I noticed on another recent thread that someone had a huge crop og Acocha growing that is what they need to give them that growth spurt.

Well we will see, till the seeds arrive I can do very little.

I wondered if Nov  5th might be a day to plant..if we can wait that long.Maybe there is a better day, I will look it up.

I can't send too easily to my friend in Tibet, his yak has a corn and is in the vets at the moment so know way for him to get down the mountain to the Internet Cafe to get his messages.

talk to you soon.

XX Jeannine

PS, what strain are you sending..I fancy the Martian version but very unstable.. the Uranus one is safer.

[lottiedolly]

cannot wait until the competition begins in earnest do not forget we need piccies folks and lots of funny details  ;D  ;D  ;D

[Jeannine]

I can buy Dragon Fire here, saw it today and I am not kidding!!

John had decided to put some of our belongings in storage so our storage room can be used over the winter to kep us safe if things go off kilter..it is in there I also have the neans to get the temps up very high.

Oh ye of ickle faith..just watch this post.

Mind you, no disrespect to Caroline but I have to win this one,,I have the longer growing season,milder temperature, high heat,Brown Bear poo,indoor lights,

Do you concede? I like the idea that you can prune then to any design once they get going.

[springbok]

Is it a type of squash........ Please put me out my misery lol

[Jeannine]

It is a scarecrow Bokkie, just a Welsh scarecrow. XX Jeannine

[springbok]

It is a scarecrow Bokkie, just a Welsh scarecrow. XX Jeannine

A plant??  I think your all pulling our legs lol. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Jeannine]

Would we fib to you,come on Caroline where are you, these are your seeds.XX Jeannine