Does anyone here participate in the California rare fruit scion exchange? Is it just for members or is it open to the public? Do you need to live in California? So many questions.

It's open to anyone that shows up.If you want scion and are not a CRFG member there's usually
a small fee (under $10.00) that covers all the scion you take at that location for the day.

If I went I would want to "exchange" that's the point isn't it. How does that work?

They ask that people who don't bring scions wait till those that did get first crack at the exchange. Usually just a few minutes, then everyone goes. They are usually labeled and spread out on tables.  Bring plastic bags, a sharpie and tape to mark the cuttings you take.  I do not think they allow citrus to be exchanged because of the possibility of spreading disease. 

Aaron,

Here's a link to the rules,

https://www.crfg.org/2016%20Scion%20Exchanges.html

You'd have to narrow it down to which chapter's exchange you'd
want to visit.They try to space them out,it's not uncommon to try
to attend 3-4 over the course of a month.

http://www.crfg.org/local.html

There's a number of photo's in the link below just to give you an
idea.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/crfg-scion-exchange-7262449?pid=1285955589

It looks the one for the SFV is Jan 28th http://crfg-la.org/calendar.html

Aaron,

  This is the CRFG Redwood Empire exchange... it's hard to tell in the photo, but each row of tables is about 14 tables deep.

 

All that info is great. Thanks. So you walk around and the scion are on the tables. How are they labeled? Would the person who brought them be there to talk to or are you on your own?

You have to view these as a military operation.First,you have your list of objectives.
Secondly,you reconnoiter the tables prior to the exchange starting,identifying the locations
of your desired scion,primary,secondary,and tertiary targets.You return to your seat and
with your sharpie label your tape so there's no dillydallying when the exchange starts.Then
you plot your approach to said scion,perhaps changing seats if a particular scion is in scarce supply.
And you wait,making idle chit chat with one eye on the President of the chapter who will signal the
release of the hounds.

All attempts at humor aside,the grocery bags/baggies are labeled the scion is not.A lot of this stuff
comes off the tree the morning of the exchange.The chances of you being able to talk with the
individual who brought the scion while the plunder is taking place is slim.If you arrive early the chances
are better.Everyone's pretty much available after they've gone around the tables once.Kid's in a candy
store.

Thanks Tyro. Are you going this year? If I go it would be next year. 2018 Assuming I take the trip, I'd try to hit 2 or three exchanges with maybe a couple nursery stops in between. That is all assuming I can sell it to the wife.

Yes,I've Orange County,L.A., and Foothills on my calendar at the moment.
Probably hit Central Coast as well.

Very cool. Keep us posted. Pictures would be great too!

It sounds like a Black Friday event but flying over there just for this event would make each scion worth $100's providing you find and able to get what you're looking for.

I just checked flights. $330 round trip w 1 layover. Figure hotel and rental car $270. Assuming 20 cuttings that's only $30 each and a great story... priceless.

I wish they had something like this in NYC or long island. I wish I could go to this event at some point in my life , looks awesome.

We'll hold one at Bass' place. No one tell him. We'll just show up with pruners and baggies.

On day I plan on starting one of these for North Carolina.

Make a local contact who is attending the event and give that person your wishlist....
no fig cuttings are likely to be found at the scion swap in Maine, but loads of other stuff!

Another option for the home-bound scion swapper is scionexchange.us

FYI - There is a group on Facebook, "North American Scion Exchange".

Lol, Arron...hehehehe