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Post by restless on Jul 24, 2015 9:05:54 GMT -5
I purchased Red Sail Lettuce seeds this spring from Seeds of Change. I got 0 germination when I started them for spring. I started some last weekend for fall and it has not yet germinated. Not one seed. The other lettuce seeds I started for fall have germinated. 100% germination in the other varieties. All of them. When I say I got 0 germination, I probably started around 10 seeds for spring and 10 seeds for fall. So that is 0/20.
Not to brag, but I am pretty good at seed starting. I don't usually have issues with anything, including crops that need special attention. I have certainly never had issues starting any lettuce variety. And I have tried quite a few varieties.
I am thinking I probably have bad seeds. But since I never grew Red Sails before, I thought I would ask if anyone else has had issues with seed germination in this variety.
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Post by brownrexx on Jul 24, 2015 9:39:24 GMT -5
I never grew that variety but if I were you, I would certainly contact Seeds of Change and let them know.
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Post by desertwoman on Jul 24, 2015 9:41:20 GMT -5
I have grown Red Sails for several years, but I collect my own seed. I originally started with seed from Botanical Interests.
Seeds of Change, unfortunately, is not the company it once was. Germination rates are now notoriously poor..
S of C was started in Santa Fe in '89 by Gabriel Howearth and Kenny Ausubel (who also founded Bioneers,)
S of C was bought by Mars, Inc and from that point quality and the ideals of the original company were diluted. Those of us who were here when Kenny and Gabe started S of C and know what the company once was and stood for, are disappointed that it was sold to Mars, and see the difference. In fact, a couple of our local nurseries refuse to sell S of C seed because of the germination issues.
There was once a beautiful S of C Research Farm along the Rio Grande where over a thousand plants were grown.
The farm was shut down by Mars and the company was moved to Los Angeles. Though much of the rhetoric remains in their advertising and statements, it is not the same company.
I love Red Sails. I am still picking it in late July. Not a sign of bolting yet! And water needs are less than other lettuce. It's a great choice for my desert conditions..
Try a different company.
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Post by restless on Jul 24, 2015 9:54:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the info on Seeds of Change. I haven't had any issues with any other seeds I got from them. I had issues with two flower seeds I got from Johnny's this year with respect to color. I ordered orange, 1/4 of the flowers were pink. I ordered red. Some of the flowers were orange. I order from quite a few different seed companies. I think the only one with a perfect record with me so far is Territorial. But I have only been ordering from them for two years.
I know a few gardeners who love Red Sails, which is why I decided to try it. I figured, since it was so popular, it probably wasn't that difficult to start.
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Post by tbird on Jul 24, 2015 10:33:28 GMT -5
Seeds of Change, unfortunately, is not the company it once was. Germination rates are now notoriously poor.. very sad! I have had some things with terrible germination, but I have not tracked the company I bought them from, I should start doing that. BTW brownrexx the germination on that red salad bowl is out of order! I checked my paper towel after 3 days and it was like the chex party mix commercial in there, obviously - the majority hatched overnight and I should have been checking more diligently, but I hate to be disappointed, so I gave ti some time..... I'll be planting some out and some in for later! |
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Post by James on Jul 24, 2015 11:37:08 GMT -5
That batch of seed is obviously bad. Chuck it. Then change seed companies.
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Post by restless on Jul 26, 2015 16:26:40 GMT -5
Just to update, I pitched the red sails lettuce seeds and resowed those nursery pots with other varieties this morning. What a waste!
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Post by tbird on Jul 26, 2015 16:45:19 GMT -5
good luck with the new seeding!
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Post by tbird on Jul 27, 2015 11:42:43 GMT -5
oh - wanted to add here - did you try adding some light to the mix? I put 2 kinds of lettuce seed into wet paper towel, into sandwich bags. the bag on the top nearly 100% germination, the one on the bottom - zero.
I am exposing to light to see if I can save them. I will report back.
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Post by restless on Jul 27, 2015 13:41:57 GMT -5
I think the planting conditions were probably ok, tbird. My other lettuce varieties planted at the same time and in the same conditions all had 100% germination. I sow lettuce very shallowly.
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