[Shaney D]

Is anyone having a go at growing these.
Got my seed from Dobies of Devon and not got one to germinate yet.
put the first lot in 21st feb, nothing
tried a second 2 weeks later, nothing
did another batch on the 18th and as of yet nothing
all sown in the house. The chillies and other toms i planted at the same time are all going great.
Do you think i have a bad batch?

 

[mumofstig]

Some do take longer than others, I'd wait a little longer before complaining. There's still plenty of time 

[digalotty]

are you giving them any help like a propogator to warm them up ,or some tin foil behind them to bounce back the light , as its still a bit chilly for them to grow if not helped a bit

[Shaney D]

Hi Lotty

Yes they are in a propagator and they are in the house and the temp never drops below 19 degrees.(house temp that is)

[Growem]

Hi,

Been lurking here for some time , just registered as we seem to have a common interest. Never really had anything to contribute before now. Picked up some good info though!

Sowed some Golden Peardrops. Same result. Just sowed my third batch today. All the other toms, chillies, peppers germinated with good germination percent since mid January. Golden Peardrop ... nothing.

Dobies seeds were a Christmas present, never used them before myself but to be fair, my 'Purple' caulis germinated 100%. Red carrots are sown outside so won't know for a short while yet, and the 'Borlotto Firetongue'  will be sown later.

You might have guessed the theme!

If the GPs haven't germinated in a week or so, I'll maybe talk to Dobies.

Swapping notes would be helpful, I guess.

No big deal, this is nature.

[Shaney D]

I will give my last lot another week or so then maybe give them a call might even try 1 more batch yet lol i even have peppers coming up now in the unheated greenhouse yet the gp's wont budge lol

[compostqueen]

Your seeds should be guaranteed so you'll get replacements. If not, go elsewhere for your seeds 

[Shaney D]

Still no signs of any toms growing so i have emailed Dobies asking for replacement or refund.

Will let you all know what happens

[Shaney D]

Well Dobies got back to me on the 6th April and said they would send me some replacements.
this is how their reply went

Thank you for your email.
I was sorry to learn of the germination failure you have experienced with our Tomato Golden Peardrop seed.
We consider the germination standards of our seeds to be very high and to ensure that our customers achieve the best possible results all of our seed batches undergo germination tests in our laboratory prior to packing.
Vegetable seed has to comply with requirements set out in the Vegetable Seed Regulations and the bulk seed from which your packet was filled did comply with these standards. Consequently we would have expected excellent results to have been achieved.
There can be several reasons for seed failing to germinate but without knowing the precise conditions under which it was sown it is difficult to pin-point the exact cause - it may have been sown a little too deeply or temperature and/or moisture conditions may have been unsuitable for a time.
I appreciate your disappointment and am arranging for a free replacement packet to be sent to you.

I emailed back explaining everthing i did and they replied with incorrect moisture.too wet or too dry hmmm anyway

New seeds recieved on the 15th April will try again.

[Growem]

Got an almost identical reply from Dobies. Only difference was that I had said I wouldn't be able to replant in time this year so they have offered a fresh batch later in the year which is fine for me. So they do read and respond accordingly.

I guess it's true that they have no control over what we do when we get the seeds. My fourth and last sowing are still sitting in some kitchen roll doing ... absolutely nothing. I think we can safely say it was a bad batch. All my other seeds from Dobies are doing great though.

Would be interested to hear how you get on with the replacements.

[Shaney D]

Hi Growem,

Just out of interest what was the foil seed packet like to get into on your seeds?

My first packet was virtually all sealed not just on the edges like normal and all crunched up, thought nothing of it at the time.  The second packet was in good condition but was well sealed also even to the point that i had to cut almost 2/3 of it away to get at them and then prize the packet apart with a knife.

Clutching at straws I suppose but was wondering if they had been damaged during packing especially if heat is involved to seal them.

If i dont get anything to germinate this time i am sending the rest back with a letter instead of an email.

Shane

[theakston_uk]

I got some seeds from moreveg.co.uk and they took nearly 3 weeks to appear and they were grown inside

[Growem]

Hi Shane,

Had to check as I'd forgotten but, while I'm not sure about the crunched up bit, they were much as you describe. Certainly 'oversealed' and took some getting into. Reckon you might be right.

I'd stick with the email as we both got prompt replies. It would be nicer if they dumped the disclaimers/legalese though. Feel free to refer to my similar experience when/if you do contact Dobies again.

Good luck.