Perhaps this is a postal office-specific problem. From one vendor I use, I get dozens of boxes that are literally COVERED with stamps -- someone seems to be clearing out a stamp collection dating all the way back to the 90s. These boxes come from Florida. geo ________________________________ From: pbs <pbs-bounces@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> on behalf of pbs-request@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net <pbs-request@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2019 4:19 PM To: pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> Subject: pbs Digest, Vol 33, Issue 14 Send pbs mailing list submissions to pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//… or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to pbs-request@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net You can reach the person managing the list at pbs-owner@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of pbs digest..." List-Post:<mailto:pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net List-Archive:<https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//… Today's Topics: 1. Re: potting mix for seeds: sand+pumice+peat and no compost? (Cody H) 2. BX progress, or not (Jane McGary) 3. Re: BX progress, or not (Rick Buell) 4. Re: BX progress, (Paul) 5. Can bulbs be mailed in bubble mailers? (Jane McGary) 6. Re: Can bulbs be mailed in bubble mailers? (Jim McKenney) 7. Re: Can bulbs be mailed in bubble mailers? (Thomas Glavich) 8. Re: Can bulbs be mailed in bubble mailers? (Diane) 9. Re: BX progress, or not (rhaenni@comcast.net) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2019 08:28:37 -0800 From: Cody H <plantboy@gmail.com> To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> Subject: Re: [pbs] potting mix for seeds: sand+pumice+peat and no compost? Message-ID: <CAAgPc_6vR51+WhYaWTHsKaA76eMfRoD6UzTETknfWzUtrxd97A@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" I?ve had fairly good luck with a mix consisting of 2-3 parts coarse sand to 1 part perlite fines to 1 part fairly fine garden compost?I generally use a store bought ?Gardner & Bloome? compost mix consisting of composted bark, ?forest products? (whatever that is) and a bit of some variety of manure. I try to avoid peat in my seed mixes as it seems to encourage pathogen growth in my climate. I had terrible luck the one time I tried coconut coir?most of the seeds I sowed in that mix rotted before sprouting, and none of the ones that sprouted did well. I?m not really sure why this was the case, but I haven?t tried coconut fiber again since. I live in a very wet climate (east of Seattle, WA?50 inches of rain/year) where humidity is often high, especially when temps are chilly. The high proportion of sand reduces the water retention capability of the mix, to try and discourage unfriendly microorganisms that enjoy our cold/wet conditions. If you live in a drier/warmer climate you might want to up the organic content a bit to help retain moisture. I?ve used this mix to germinate amaryllids, lots of South African and South American irids, lilies, calochortus, trilliums, assorted asparagaceae, aroids, gesneriads, and a variety of alpines as well even some trees and shrubs. It seems to work best for seeds with fairly quick germination?the compost supplies some nutrients which the seedlings can take advantage of but they do leach out with regular watering and will be gone by the time long-dormant seeds get around to germinating. I?ve had particularly good success with South African iridaceae... probably 80-90% of the 200 or so species of Gladiolus, Babiana, Hesperantha, Sparaxis, Ixia, and Geissorhiza I?ve tried have done well in this mix. The other 10-20% either decay before sprouting or sprout and then languish and eventually die, but I suspect these have had more to do with my growing conditions (temp/humidity) than the substrate. On Mon, Nov 11, 2019 at 6:32 PM Jane McGary <janemcgary@earthlink.net> wrote: > Yes, I still use about the same mix for seed sowing. However, both the > sand and the pumice include fines, which is not the case when one buys > them "washed." I don't think unwashed pumice is available except right > in the area where it's extracted (here). I would not use coir in a > compost, but perhaps that's all that is available in some parts of the > USA. I do use a soluble fertilizer at low strength once the seedlings > are well developed. I used to use forest humus as an ingredient in bulb > potting soil, but I moved and no longer have my own forest, so it's hard > to know what to use. I don't have the equipment to make my own leaf > compost. I buy something with "municipal compost" (composted yard > debris) and screen out the bark. I don't like to use any bark product > when growing bulbs that have a dormant period, because the > microorganisms that attack the bark also can attack the dead (but > important) tissue of bulb tunics. For our English correspondents, no, we > don't have "John Innes mix" in this country. > > Jane McGary > > On 11/11/2019 5:59 PM, M Gastil-Buhl wrote: > > After much googling for the ideal seed starting mix for bulb seeds, of > > course I arrived at the PBS list, where I should have begun. In November > > 2008 Jane McGary wrote > > "my normal seed mix, which is equal parts sharp sand, screened peat, and > > ground pumice" > > > > Jane do you still use that same mix as 11 years ago? I notice it contains > > no compost and so will have nearly zero nutrients. That seems appropriate > > for long germination times where N-P-K will just grow algae, accumulate > > salts and do no good for the seeds. I assume once seeds are growing that > > you apply fertilizer. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//… > ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2019 14:59:25 -0800 From: Jane McGary <janemcgary@earthlink.net> To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> Subject: [pbs] BX progress, or not Message-ID: <defb2cc2-7f02-a168-8ecb-b9c0a6ff7233@earthlink.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed All the BX parcels are ready to go, but I have encountered an obstruction in that the US post office no longer accepts boxes with stamps on them; they have to have official mailing labels for which one has guaranteed that no hazardous materials are enclosed. Since every order that includes even a single bulb has to be put in a little box rather than a padded mailer, I can't imagine what a catastrophe it would be to haul about 60 tiny boxes into the post office and expect a clerk to type up labels for each of them. Does anybody out there have access to a way to generate labels with postage on them? I have a USPS Click&Ship account but it only works for Priority Mail, and these are First Class. I tried another website for buying postage, but it does not work on my browser, and I don't want to try to install an entirely new one. And yes, the BX has a stamps.com account, but it requires a special printer, which I do not have. I do have a document with all the addresses on it, and I could write the weight of each little box by the name and email it to someone who has the special printer, I suppose. I will put stamps on the mailers, which contain orders that were just for seeds, and get them off this week. Jane McGary ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2019 22:59:16 +0000 (UTC) From: Rick Buell <rredbbeard@yahoo.com> To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> Subject: Re: [pbs] BX progress, or not Message-ID: <2044489934.3106194.1573599556086@mail.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 I may be mistaken, but the usps will weight each box and print the postage when you bring the myriad boxes to the counter. I know when I send a padded envelope or box of any size, this is what they do, and the addresses can be handwritten, I don't think it matters as long as the postage is applied as a label. On Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 2:48:45 PM PST, Jane McGary <janemcgary@earthlink.net> wrote: All the BX parcels are ready to go, but I have encountered an obstruction in that the US post office no longer accepts boxes with stamps on them; they have to have official mailing labels for which one has guaranteed that no hazardous materials are enclosed. Since every order that includes even a single bulb has to be put in a little box rather than a padded mailer, I can't imagine what a catastrophe it would be to haul about 60 tiny boxes into the post office and expect a clerk to type up labels for each of them. Does anybody out there have access to a way to generate labels with postage on them? I have a USPS Click&Ship account but it only works for Priority Mail, and these are First Class. I tried another website for buying postage, but it does not work on my browser, and I don't want to try to install an entirely new one. And yes, the BX has a stamps.com account, but it requires a special printer, which I do not have. I do have a document with all the addresses on it, and I could write the weight of each little box by the name and email it to someone who has the special printer, I suppose. I will put stamps on the mailers, which contain orders that were just for seeds, and get them off this week. Jane McGary _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//… ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2019 23:02:25 +0000 From: Paul <ottopauld@hotmail.com> To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> Subject: Re: [pbs] BX progress, Message-ID: <CY4PR03MB2968EC36E8621F0C9D9EC043A3770@CY4PR03MB2968.namprd03.prod.outlook.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Shipstation.com allows first class mailing without any kind of special printer, and I believe it is connected with stamps.com as their logo is printed on the label Paul Otto Sent from my iPad > On Nov 12, 2019, at 2:48 PM, Jane McGary <janemcgary@earthlink.net> wrote: > > All the BX parcels are ready to go, but I have encountered an obstruction in that the US post office no longer accepts boxes with stamps on them; they have to have official mailing labels for which one has guaranteed that no hazardous materials are enclosed. Since every order that includes even a single bulb has to be put in a little box rather than a padded mailer, I can't imagine what a catastrophe it would be to haul about 60 tiny boxes into the post office and expect a clerk to type up labels for each of them. Does anybody out there have access to a way to generate labels with postage on them? I have a USPS Click&Ship account but it only works for Priority Mail, and these are First Class. I tried another website for buying postage, but it does not work on my browser, and I don't want to try to install an entirely new one. And yes, the BX has a stamps.com account, but it requires a special printer, which I do not have. I do have a document with all the addresses on it, and I cou ld write the weight of each little box by the name and email it to someone who has the special printer, I suppose. > > I will put stamps on the mailers, which contain orders that were just for seeds, and get them off this week. > > Jane McGary > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//… ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2019 15:49:11 -0800 From: Jane McGary <janemcgary@earthlink.net> To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> Subject: [pbs] Can bulbs be mailed in bubble mailers? Message-ID: <ba9cf351-c64b-9c4d-9d76-dc1fb66be50c@earthlink.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed Albert Stella tells me he habitually sent bulbs in padded bubble mailers (envelopes with a lining), and none were damaged. That has not been my experience when I attempted it. Have others received rtheir BX bulbs safely in these mailers? I could take them out of the boxes (except the really big ones) and make mailers for them, if so. Would only take another few hours but would solve a big problem. Let me know how your bulbs have arrived when shipped in bubble mailers, please? Jane McGary ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2019 23:48:56 +0000 (UTC) From: Jim McKenney <jamesamckenney@verizon.net> To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> Subject: Re: [pbs] Can bulbs be mailed in bubble mailers? Message-ID: <1285398335.2239384.1573602536947@mail.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Small bulbs in bubble mailers have never been a problem for me - in fact, I've often wondered why we switched to the more expensive box system for everything.?But I'm not that far from either Dell or Albert.?Jim McKenney _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//… ------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2019 00:05:49 +0000 (UTC) From: Thomas Glavich <tglavich@sbcglobal.net> To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> Subject: Re: [pbs] Can bulbs be mailed in bubble mailers? Message-ID: <86674427.3102041.1573603549872@mail.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Sometimes fine, sometimes squashed On Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 3:37:56 PM PST, Jane McGary <janemcgary@earthlink.net> wrote: Albert Stella tells me he habitually sent bulbs in padded bubble mailers (envelopes with a lining), and none were damaged. That has not been my experience when I attempted it. Have others received rtheir BX bulbs safely in these mailers? I could take them out of the boxes (except the really big ones) and make mailers for them, if so. Would only take another few hours but would solve a big problem. Let me know how your bulbs have arrived when shipped in bubble mailers, please? Jane McGary _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//… ------------------------------ Message: 8 Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2019 16:14:50 -0800 From: Diane <voltaire@islandnet.com> To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> Subject: Re: [pbs] Can bulbs be mailed in bubble mailers? Message-ID: <AFA6D140-1E55-47E5-AF29-D5CFE8F2B467@islandnet.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Not just bulbs. I received squashed nerine seeds once. Diane Whitehead Victoria, British Columbia, Canada ------------------------------ Message: 9 Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2019 17:19:05 -0700 From: rhaenni@comcast.net To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> Subject: Re: [pbs] BX progress, or not Message-ID: <42F13EDB-C6CE-4FB4-AA60-E91EF9B68EAD@comcast.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Rick is correct. Rod Haenni Sent from my iPhone > On Nov 12, 2019, at 3:59 PM, Rick Buell via pbs <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote: > > ? I may be mistaken, but the usps will weight each box and print the postage when you bring the myriad boxes to the counter. I know when I send a padded envelope or box of any size, this is what they do, and the addresses can be handwritten, I don't think it matters as long as the postage is applied as a label. > On Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 2:48:45 PM PST, Jane McGary <janemcgary@earthlink.net> wrote: > > All the BX parcels are ready to go, but I have encountered an > obstruction in that the US post office no longer accepts boxes with > stamps on them; they have to have official mailing labels for which one > has guaranteed that no hazardous materials are enclosed. Since every > order that includes even a single bulb has to be put in a little box > rather than a padded mailer, I can't imagine what a catastrophe it would > be to haul about 60 tiny boxes into the post office and expect a clerk > to type up labels for each of them. Does anybody out there have access > to a way to generate labels with postage on them? I have a USPS > Click&Ship account but it only works for Priority Mail, and these are > First Class. I tried another website for buying postage, but it does not > work on my browser, and I don't want to try to install an entirely new > one. And yes, the BX has a stamps.com account, but it requires a special > printer, which I do not have. I do have a document with all the > addresses on it, and I could write the weight of each little box by the > name and email it to someone who has the special printer, I suppose. > > I will put stamps on the mailers, which contain orders that were just > for seeds, and get them off this week. > > Jane McGary > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//… > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//… ------------------------------ Subject: Digest Footer _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//… ------------------------------ End of pbs Digest, Vol 33, Issue 14 *********************************** _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…