I guess I can include myself as being in the Peppadew thread, not for a hand out of free seed as I never work that way, but never the less I wanted seed and I offered tomato seed in return. I think you'll find the increase in postings is due mainly to the web link for the Vine being posted on a US garden forum site and readers are seeing it and posting accordingly.
I can also say that I was one who stayed around, whether I got seed or not and became a Grape. I still have some tomato seeds to swap by the way, as I thought the temptation of what I had may have helped.
Cheers from Oz.
mcsee