Topic: Seed for Sierra Leone

[cambourne7]

Hi All,

My cousin is a doctor and is volunteering at a children's ward at Bo Government Hospital, Sierra Leone.

I was wondering what seeds we could send them that might grow in there climate?

Thinking corn/maze, peas, beans and pumpkins??

It would be great if we can make up a seed parcel for them?

Cam

[grannyjanny]

I'm in when you know what you need Cam .

[Robert_Brenchley]

Warm climate species. Maize, pumpkins, peppers (they love chili), anything which likes warmth. It's where my wife comes from.

[cambourne7]

Thanks guys :-D I have emailed him to as who might need some seeds and what would they need. 

[Robert_Brenchley]

Brassicas will grow well, and rather to my surprise, broad beans. Most veg would probably do well.

[irridium]

I'm all for helping out too...

[galina]

Thanks guys :-D I have emailed him to as who might need some seeds and what would they need. 

Very boring suggestion, but is there a way we could get seeds from Sierra Leone seed sellers?  I know it is not the same as a lovely parcel from here, but we would both make sure the seeds are suitable, as well as supporting a local industry.

Otherwise, good to have your suggestions Robert - I'm in.

[cambourne7]

As soon as i get the info on where the seeds are going i will write a letter to the various seed companies :) In the promise of some photos when they get there :)

[Jeannine]

I can send you some stuff Cam just give me a bit if notice if you can, maybe I can pick up some other warm weather stuff from the South XX Jeannine

[susan1]

Hate to throw a spanner in the works but I suggest you ask at the post office if you can send seeds there as there are some countries who won't accept seeds. I work in a post office but can't check for you as I'm off sick at the moment, due to have surgery in the morning otherwise I would ave checked for you all

[Robert_Brenchley]

Label the parcel 'botanical samples' or something.

[cambourne7]

Yep on list of things to do :)

[galina]

Label the parcel 'botanical samples' or something.

My friendly local post office tells me that I cannot send seeds to the USA and they might get confiscated.  I keep saying 'I'll risk it'.  Touch wood so far they have arrived just fine, even with customs form filled in '6 packets of garden seed'.

But I expect your parcel will be much bigger and needs more care taking.

[gavinjconway]

Remember Africa is a hot continent so I reckon it would be better to have seeds acclimatized to Africa - i.e. get seeds from there not from here.. We dont do Maize in the UK like the African long white cobbed maize plant etc...  Our UK seeds would take a hammering there as they are not made for hot!!

Just my opinion but also talking form experience as I had seeds sent to me in Zimbabwe from the UK and a lot were a waste of time!!

[Jeannine]

Just a point..there is a lot of postal theft in many of the African countries as I know personally, I don;t know about Sierra Leone but ut may be wirth checking it iut. XX Jeannine

[gavinjconway]

Yep Jeannine - you are quite correct... postal theft is rife in Africa..

[Jeannine]

I  found if I sent parcels it was a gamble if they made it, but if  I sent a flat thickish envelope that siggested a book or collection of documents it always got through. I was sending to a school so I don't know if that helped but even when I sent a regular parcel to the school it usually didnt make it.

Maybe packing the seeds taped and wrapped to be very flat..no bumps it may be OK

XX Jeannine

[Robert_Brenchley]

Postal theft is a big problem. I used to send packages to Freetown taped up in all directions, so any interference would be obvious. They always got through, and most of them contained money.

[cambourne7]

Still waiting to hear about a good home for the seeds there and what they need hes just found a home for some medical equipment he brought with him (donated by his kickboxing club).