Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Jome on June 28, 2010, 23:31

Title: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: Jome on June 28, 2010, 23:31
I was just wondering if anyone new whether these seeds are GM modified? Just because they always seem to grow so well and such healthy looking plants, I'm suspicious! I should probably just be grateful. I have looked on the packet, but most of it is in Italian and I don't suppose they would advertise the fact it was GM bred even if it was. I'd be interested if anyone knew. :)
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: mumofstig on June 29, 2010, 10:02
Quote
because they always seem to grow so well and such healthy looking plants
I agree with you  :)
Most of the seeds are just traditional Italian varieties..read the home page on their site.

http://www.seedsofitaly.com/index.php

EU rules, I'm sure, would make them say if the seeds were GM and there is nothing saying that on any of my packets (even after translation) ;)
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: Sharonx on June 29, 2010, 10:13

Hubby is Italian, and says nothing mentioned about GM so have to agree with MOS on that one.
I always seem to do really well with Franchi as well, and I find you get loads of seeds. Just wish they were more readily available, had a complete nightmare tracking down sweetcorn as I had grown what I had left from last year & needed more, and of course they have to be the same because of cross pollination. Actually found a pot of them at Wyvale already grown & they are thriving even after transplanting to well chuffed! Would explain why Whyvale didn't have any packs on the shelf, obviously growing them to sell.
Postage from seeds of italy is way too expensive as is most online companys >:(
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: mumofstig on June 29, 2010, 10:29
If I remember correctly their p&p is only about £1.50 if you take the slow delivery option...
no help at all if you want them delivered tomorrow of course :ohmy:

but a  reasonable charge for your usual order IMO.... surely it would cost more to drive to the local garden centre ;)
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: Sharonx on June 29, 2010, 10:50
Yes MOS I was in a rush  :)
14 day delivery £1.65, 7 days £2.99 & 3 days £4.99. IMO that is way too much for a packet of seeds that can be popped in the post with royal mail for not much at all. £1.65 I don't have a problem with but £4.99 for a 3 day delivery is a joke for a £1.85 packet of seeds!
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: mobilekat on June 29, 2010, 14:04
Don't forget that when referring to Italian postage and they say slow they mean it!- Italian post office makes our look like the Worlds est!
When we were there on holiday last year I was naughty and bought some seeds from a market stall, and blooming heck they are good- rocket and basil with what looks like 95% germination!

And it tastes very very nice! :)
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: Snoop on June 29, 2010, 14:14
£1.65 I don't have a problem with but £4.99 for a 3 day delivery is a joke for a £1.85 packet of seeds!

Don't forget that most people order more than one packet of seeds. If you're ordering lots, it doesn't seem so bad.

Premier-Seeds-Direct also seem to sell a lot of Italian seeds at very good prices and cheap postage too.
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: madcat on June 29, 2010, 14:22
Next time try talking nicely to your friendly independent garden centre/nursery.  Mine stocks some Franchi and will include others on request in his next weekly order to the wholesaler.  And then gives me the allotment society discount on top.  Lovely man and lovely place.
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: mumofstig on June 29, 2010, 14:46
Don't forget that when referring to Italian postage and they say slow they mean it!- Italian post office makes our look like the Worlds est!

I agree, but the seeds are Franchi brand seeds, imported from Italy and shipped from a UK warehouse ;)
SEEDS OF ITALY LTD
A1 PHOENIX IND EST
ROSSLYN CRES,
LONDON BOROUGH OF HARROW,
MIDDX, HA1 2SP

Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: sclarke624 on June 29, 2010, 15:40
You never know the Uk distributers may be incredibly helpful and tell you where they are stocked local to you Sharonx.

They are good seeds.
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: Jome on June 29, 2010, 23:01
I could do a seed swap once everything goes over, I have quite a lot of Franchi produce!
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: compostqueen on June 29, 2010, 23:37
I like their stuff as the packets are way bigger than normal. I usually get a shipping order
I like their leaf mixes and marmalade pumpkins, amongst other things

Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: cooperman on June 29, 2010, 23:42
I have always found Franchi seeds great, plenty  of seed and healthy results.  As I always order well in advance the 14 day option is not a problem (they usually arrive in a week anyways!)

Regarding the GM query EU law states it must say so on the packet.  The only proviso is if a variety is labeled F1 then this could be GM but not too sure on that aspect, best thing is to ask Franchi by email - I have always found them good in replies to queries..
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: Salmo on June 30, 2010, 00:11
I have always found Franchi seeds great, plenty  of seed and healthy results.  As I always order well in advance the 14 day option is not a problem (they usually arrive in a week anyways!)

Regarding the GM query EU law states it must say so on the packet.  The only proviso is if a variety is labeled F1 then this could be GM but not too sure on that aspect, best thing is to ask Franchi by email - I have always found them good in replies to queries..

Lets not get confused on this.

F1 is a straighforward plant breeding technique where several strains of a plant are crossed to produce something superior.
GM is taking material from one plant species and introducing it into another species so that new characteristics can be introduced.

Keeping with the subject of Franchi seeds, I imagine that a lot of their seeds are old open bred varieties that do not need the cossetting that many of the varieties offered in the UK seem to require.
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: mumofstig on June 30, 2010, 10:05
Quote
I imagine that a lot of their seeds are old open bred varieties that do not need the cossetting that many of the varieties offered in the UK seem to require.

Quite so, just as their home page points out  ;)
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: Trebor on June 30, 2010, 11:09
Surprisingly walked into a food deli in Betws-y-coed (North Wales) last week and walked out with three packets of Franchi seeds. They had a whole stand of them with some Packets that I had not seen before! I think with popularity they seem to be ‘sprouting’ up all over the place these days so expect it should be easier in future.
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: DD. on June 30, 2010, 11:28
Quote from: Seeds Of Italy

PEA MERAVIGLIA OF KELVEDON 
Plant 50cms tall with pods of 8-9cms, containing 7-8 peas. Early. 70g. Sow Feb-May and Sep-Nov. Featured on BBC Gardeners World 02/03/07 (Monty Don). Dating to about the 1920's 


Makes Kelvedon Wonder sound really grand!
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: shokkyy on June 30, 2010, 14:37
There's actually a Franchi storefront at Amazon.co.uk, and they're quoting 3 to 5 days delivery for £1.50. I've never ordered from there, though, so I don't know how accurate that ETA is.
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: mumofstig on June 30, 2010, 15:08
only a very small choice of seeds as well  :(
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: Comfortably Numb on June 30, 2010, 16:15
I quite like the Franchi range of seeds. I've tried some for the first time this year. Our allotment association sells them for £1 a packet  :)
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: mumofstig on June 30, 2010, 16:30
wow..lucky you  :lol:..............I'll have to check our one out. Unfortunately it's on a site over the other side of Ashford and I don't drive so I will have to suss out the bus services  ::)
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: Comfortably Numb on June 30, 2010, 19:03
wow..lucky you  :lol:..............I'll have to check our one out. Unfortunately it's on a site over the other side of Ashford and I don't drive so I will have to suss out the bus services  ::)

Shall I lend you my bus pass  ;) :)
Title: Re: Franchi/Italian seeds
Post by: mumofstig on June 30, 2010, 19:08
 :lol: there's no need I have my own  :tongue2:  :lol: