Has anyone ever tried ordering scion wood from them? What did you put in the form where it asks for your organization and what did you put in for your planned research? Thanks guys!
The National Plant Germplasm System is a division of the USDA ARS and contains many sites, called National Clonal Germplasm Repositories, and among other things has a searchable index of their holdings (accessions) through the Germplasm Repository Information Network.
Depending on what you are trying to order and which repository it is located at, the rules vary. Certainly if you are trying to order cuttings of something that is already available commercially then most repository sites will correctly reject your request as an abuse of the system. If on the other hand you are requesting material that is simply not available elsewhere, then your request will probably be viewed favorably.
In the box requesting “Describe your planned research use of this NPGS Germplasm”, be honest. An acceptable answer would be “Evaluation for cultivation in my local environment.”
I put down Tony’s backyard orchard. I told them that I trialing for cold hardiness. Simple.
Tony
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Seems simple enough. I may have to try it out one of these days. Thanks guys!
I was honest and put down something similar to what Tony did. I did however get varieties that were available elsewhere, but of course, no patented varieties. I wouldn’t request anything under patent even if I thought they would send them. I’m cheap, but I’m not a thief.
You really should do it Borer, it’s a great program and one of the very few good uses of taxpayer dollars that has an added side benefit to folks like us. I think the more it is utilized the more likely they are to receive funding, and maybe even increases. They send really nice wood that somehow doesn’t mold like others.
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I used it this past season for the first time. I ordered from the repository in Corvallis, OR. I was honest. I listed my company as the organization. I put something like the others above for the reason (can’t recall exact wording). I got several Asian pear scions and several gooseberry cuttings. All have done great.
I was wondering if we (those of us on the east coast) can order from the western offices also, or would they simply point us to Geneva, NY. UC Davis I think has some association with ARS, don’t they? I watched a YT video where an Asian-American lady ordered scions from UC Davis. They probably have a better selection od stone fruit whereas I’d guess Geneva has the better pomme stuff.
Each site is focused on a plant group. If you want figs you’ll have to work with Davis, etc. Use the links I posted above for more info.
Ok, but there is definitely some overlap in offerings…right? Will UC Davis honor the requests of us on the east coast Richard?
What about peaches, nectarines and plums? Will they help us out? I don’t want figs…no room here for marginal stuff like that.
There is no constraint on location. Again I urge you to read the online info.
I’ll check it out.
Each of the last two years I’ve received scionwood from both Geneva (apple) and Corvallis (pear).
For those who may have missed it, here is the Gardenweb thread, where I talked about what I was planning to get this year, and some others posted pics of what they received.