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Old December 4, 2017   #6
Fred Hempel
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Sunol, CA
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Fabulous post.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sirtanon View Post
Well, there are multiple ways a seed source could get their seed.

1 - They actually breed the hybrid themselves. This is generally only true of the larger seed suppliers, such as Burpee, etc.. Unless the hybrid is a 'boutique' type.. such as the F1 seeds that have come about through the dwarf breeding project initiated by Craig and Patrina

2 - They buy seeds from the breeder and then resell in quantity. Places like HPS, Totally Tomato, Tomato Growers Supply, etc.. would fall in this category

3 - They buy seeds in bulk from a reseller (i.e. option 2 above), and then resell them in smaller quantities at a mark-up on places like Amazon, Ebay, etc.. I myself have done this in the past for various high-volume hybrids, like Big Beef, SunGold, etc.. For example, I was able to buy 1/8 oz. Big Beef for about $10, and then repack these seeds into 25 seed packets, and sell those packets on Amazon for $2.50 each.

4 - They buy a small pack of seed for the hybrid, grow some plants, and then save a ton of seeds from the fruits from those plants, then sell the seeds as if they were the hybrid seeds. Heck, they might even keep some of those saved (F2) seeds and just keep growing,saving, and selling.. getting farther and farther from the original hybrid.

5 - They buy a big bulk order of some inexpensive OP or Hybrid seed, and then repackage the seeds and label them as some expensive hybrid.


In my humble opinion, options 1 through 3, above are all totally legit and acceptable ways to get the right kind of seeds. 4 is, at best, the result of ignorance, and at worst, bald-faced dishonesty. 5 is plain old crooked.

I have seen option 4, above, tons of times on Amazon, etc.. in the form of "Campari seeds" and "Kumato seeds" etc.. which couldn't possibly the the proper hybrid seeds.


As far as what happened with your Rapunzel seeds not germinating well, that could very easily just be because of:

A - Seeds initially coming from overseas, and getting irradiated or crushed during transit. I, myself, have had this happen from seed sources I KNEW to be trustworthy. Even if the supplier is relatively local to you, they may have purchased their supply from somewhere overseas...

B - Seeds being stored in a non-ideal environment - Too hot, too damp, etc..

C - Bad seed-starting media or methods. I believe, in another of your threads, the subject was brought up that your peat moss might be contaminated. This can certainly cause poor germination, as can having the media too wet, too dry, too hard packed, burying the seed too deep, etc..
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