Just my opinion, but I think if you ask the person who is trading with you before you send the seeds, most people would say what you did was fine. I have some seeds that are really tiny and difficult to separate, too, and I just did the best I could and sent a larger quantity.

Becky

I use this method for small seeds: When the seeds are ready for cleaning, i.e. mature & dry, I place them in a paper bag (make sure it doesn't leak) and shake 'em up. Then I dump the mess into an oversized tea strainer (mine is 8" diameter over a pie pan and gently shake. The seeds fall thru the strainer, the chaff doesn't.

Voila!

Sifting with a succession of coarse to very fine screens works for some. The very finest screen is used last to remove dust from the seeds.

For some seeds, winnowing is the fastest method. If the chaff is crumbled up, the seeds are invariably heavier than the chaff and dust. I use a 12" pie pan, and just step outside on a breezy day. Swirl the stuff around and flip it into the air a couple of inches, and the lighter chaff and dust is blown away, leaving the seeds. I've also done this with a box fan. I set newspapers or large cardboard trays on the ground in front of the fan, and adjust the fan's speed to get it right. The few seeds blown out fall in the closer tray, and the chaff goes to the further one. Once you have the technique, you can do a lot of seed in a short time.

Or, make sure you let the other trader know you don't clean chaff. It should be in your post and posted on your member page. I personally don't care about chaff, but many do. And, many folks take the time to carefully clean their seeds (Donn - god love ya). So, it's fair to warn those who do the work that you do not. I don't mind chaff in things like rudbeckia, but I must say, I do want things out of the pods - in most cases - there are exceptions.

I think communication is the key.

Yes, communication is the key, but the most important part is insuring that there are actually seeds if you are not going to clean them. I have received nothing but chaff before. No seeds to be found. So make sure there are seeds and let the trader know you are not cleaning them.

Thank you to all. I finally figured out how to list the seeds i would like and posted as well about seperating seeds from chaff. ANYONE THAT HAS TIDBITS ON HOW YOU DO IT> hey a book could be written on this...... whewww...
what did i get myself into... : )
Nicole