[Garden Gnome]

but not popular here!


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/28/nseeds128.xml

Oh dear. And I thought it was just the way I planted them...

It's a relief in a way that it's NOT always my techniques, but possibly the raw material itself that means stuff doesn't germinate.

I bought some onion seeds and bean seeds from the local garden centre at half price recently, and was delighted and rather surprised at how many came up, and how quickly they did: the brand was Italian, but not Franchi. It made me realise how often I've planted veg and seen very little happen.

I'm interested to see what experiences others have had with seed germination.

[WG.]

Mmmm ... so the testers reckon that they gave every single seed the ideal conditions do they?  Arrogant methinks.

Given that many plants will produce a percentage of seeds which are unviable, then I don't see how the seed companies can improve on that fundamental percentage.  I can see that poor handling / storage would worsen the situation though.

I think I'll continue to blame myself in the majority of cases.  Equally, I never blame my golf clubs when I hit a bad shot.

[richyrich7]

Must admit to having a completely dud packet of sweet peas this year from wilko's and I think DD did too.

Also ties in with the response to my query to Johnsons seeds about old stock

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?p=93263#93263

Still I imagine that most of it comes down to poor storage conditions once it's left the supplier. Leave a packet on a windows sill for a week or two in full sun then I doubt much will survive the temperature fluctuations.

[DD.]

Must admit to having a completely dud packet of sweet peas this year from wilko's and I think DD did too.

YUP!

[jack russell]

 Equally, I never blame my golf clubs when I hit a bad shot.

you dont blame your clubs :shock:  Well i do they are dodo!   I on the other hand would play well with a decent set of clubs

cheers

jr

[sweet nasturtium]

I do find it odd when you go to all the trouble of preparing soil, plant a whole row of seeds and nothing comes up.  And infuriating.  I think we should be able to claim compensation (no grow no fee).  

[gobs]

Mmmm ... so the testers reckon that they gave every single seed the ideal conditions do they?  Arrogant methinks.

I think I'll continue to blame myself in the majority of cases.  Equally, I never blame my golf clubs when I hit a bad shot.

But than you are just that sort of a guy with high standards, and then guess what, I started saving my own seeds two years ago or so, and saving more and more types as time goes on(once a business gets going...)and always get a much better germination rate on them, then on bought ones( I always sow them side by side at the same time, not trusting mine being any use).
And that's me being a lousy cook, which I am, they are rarely even stored properly, they are just fresh    

[DD.]

But than you are just that sort of a guy with high standards, and then guess what, I started saving my own seeds two years ago or so, and saving more and more types as time goes on(once a business gets going...)and always get a much better germination rate on them, then on bought ones( I always sow them side by side at the same time, not trusting mine being any use).
And that's me being a lousy cook, which I am, they are rarely even stored properly, they are just fresh    

What sort of seed do you save? Things like beans & peas are easy, when it comes to carrots, parsnips etc, it's a different matter, you have to leave the crop in the ground for an extra year, thus taking up valuable space. You have to ask yourself whether it worth that, or shall I go & spend £1.50 or whatever on a packet of seed.

[gobs]

A few parsleys, carrots and etc. areNOT taking up much space. And I enjoy it. so far....    

[puravida]

Ha - it is on BBC news right now!
Suspect it will be repeated during the day.

'Seeds gardeners collect in their own gardens usually much better than seeds you buy'

[mushroom]

i'm watching it as well.  

shouldn't seeds ideally be kept in the dry at 4C  :?:

[gobs]

Something like that  

[gobs]

but not popular here!


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/28/nseeds128.xml

Oh dear. And I thought it was just the way I planted them...

It's a relief in a way that it's NOT always my techniques, but possibly the raw material itself that means stuff doesn't germinate.

I bought some onion seeds and bean seeds from the local garden centre at half price recently, and was delighted and rather surprised at how many came up, and how quickly they did: the brand was Italian, but not Franchi. It made me realise how often I've planted veg and seen very little happen.

I'm interested to see what experiences others have had with seed germination.

I decided a few years ago, that spring onions just hated me, so I'm not growing any. And then all that news! Anyhow, I'm happy just with onions now.

[Garden Gnome]

Yes, it has been spring onions and carrots that have defeated me consistently. That's why I was SO pleased at the Italian brand's apparently complete success in coming up! Mind you, the resident mole then came up, too, right in the middle.

Twice.


Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[muntjac]

Yes, it has been spring onions and carrots that have defeated me consistently. That's why I was SO pleased at the Italian brand's apparently complete success in coming up! Mind you, the resident mole then came up, too, right in the middle.

Twice.


Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

 try my carrot tips on muntys tips  gnome mate