I didn’t see this Thea’s so I figured I’d start it. I think members will find value regardless of cuts or not at USDA.
Please don’t use this thread to debate if we should close GRIN, what we’ll lose, politics etc. I’d like to simply invite anyone to post any variety they currently have that is worth preserving or any variety they would like to see someone preserve. I’d like for this thread to be something that could be searched later to see who may have what for sale or trade AND for anyone with opportunities to get a few things from USDA a potential guide to what needs saving vs what has already been saved by another.
I believe @JohannsGarden@dannytoro1 and others I can’t remember have mentioned having received something from GRIN.
Also, I know some are short on space, if you have any variety that needs to be preserved but you can no longer keep, please reach out. I’m sure several of us have extra space.
I had a similar idea but after sleeping on it, I’m not sure it’s the right time. There is a war against diversity happening right now, and I’m not sure it’s safe to be posting our positions online. If you publicly acknowledge your collections and your efforts to maintain and even increase diversity, you might be making yourself a target. The best option right now might before people like us to operate in the shadows. Face to face networking seems more appealing every day.
All of my pears, apples, etc. are open to anyone needing to cut some in the area. @39thparallel has my full collection anytime he wants. He sells them basically for the price of cutting them and shipping. He is not making any real money. There is just a convenience to those not wanting to walk a mile to cut the stuff in the ice and snow. @TurkeyCreekTrees has needed a few things and many individuals over the years. I used to cut about 150 packages a year I sent out for free, but honestly, I only felt like cutting and grafting enough for my own trees now. I think this link below indicates where things are going.
@Fusion_power is building a new pear repository much like my experimental orchard. This type of orchard is a logistical nightmare to manage. Ask me how i know. @39thparallel has a large collection of apples and pears. Some he rescued from sure extinction.
I have one Aronia from a seed of PI 662003 from GRIN. So far nothing special. When getting seeds they may be from cross pollination. It certainly would be better to have scion. Can’t even get seeds from GRIN the last few years.
I’d like to see all the rootstocks from all the repositories preserved. This includes trees, shrubs, and vines. Note that thousands of them can only be propagated by graft or live roots.
In terms of fruit and nut stocks, I’d like to see preserved all the accessions that are not in circulation outside the repositories.
To this end, several persons with the repositories (past or present) along with college and university officials are making progress in the transfer of facilities to state owned institutions. This approach is far more efficient than moving plant material.
Are there any of the rootstocks you currently have in your collection? I think I remember you saying you had used some, but can’t remember if that was a present tense or past tense deal.
If my order arrives I will get P.14, J-TE-H, Malus Brevipes specifically for rootstock. And Jadernicka, Muz Alma and one of the Malus Micromalus with larger fruit. All dual use as fruit or rootstocka. Then Idagold, Generos, Delicious de Voina and Egri Piros for disease resistance or dependability for Idagold.
In hindsight I wish I had taken MM.109 instead of Idagold.But finding P.18 commercially I made a sudden rash change
Zill High Performance Plants in Florida probably had the most advanced hybrid annona program to date. Business decision it wasn’t going to be profitable for the foresee-able future. The collection was turned over to people without the same vision, clones started going downhill and being lost. One of the original breeder’s offered to help for free, was turned down as “not aligned with the new goal”. Everything was lost; 1980’s or 90’s I think.