Zero germination

[ceresone]

Anyone else planted red rock cabbage? none of mine came up, so i tried the seeds on a wet paper towel--zero germination---wonder how many seeds we plant outside that never come up--and we blame everything else--dry, wet, dirt, etc--perhaps seeds were no good?

[jetstream]

I had that problem last year with Japanese cukes. a couple of years ago it was with amaranth and fennel. it was only one time with each. i often wondered if the post office was x-raying the package and killing the seed.

[veggiecanner]

I do germination tests all the time on seeds that I straight seed. I don't want to waste the time with no shows.
I ordered from Heirloom acres Last year and about half the pks had little to no germination. If I hadn't had seeds left from the year before I wouldn't of had a garden.
Cabbage seeds are usally good for 10 years or more.

[ceresone]

Thanks, veggiecanner, thats what I was wondering. I also ordered these from Heirloom Acres, makes the rest of my order suspect, dosent it. combined with the fact they lost my order to start with, tells me thats one to mark off my list. I've e mailed them, asked them to test the seeds themselves, but no answer.

[veggiecanner]

i was so disappointed with heirloom acres. All the time sterilizing seed starting mix and pots and I had lots of seeds not germinate with them. I had no hot peppers in my garden last year because of buying seeds there. Many of my transplants were small because I had to try a second time with different seeds. Some that did germinate still acted like old seed so I started ones to replace those too.
there is too much work to gardening to have so much trouble.
If you don't get this resolved be sure to post on Garden Watch dog.
Needless to say I won't order from them again.