Ask The Experts…about #SeedFacts

Why can’t some companies ship live transplants to certain states?

Those states have regulations that prevent the importing of live plants into the state.

What are the differences between treated, untreated, organic and other types of seed? #seedfacts

• Raw – Seed in its “raw” form, comes in from the parent plant, is cleaned and has not been treated using any chemical, biological, or physical method.
• Treated – Generally refers to seed that has a calibrated application of pesticides that leave residual active ingredients (AI) on the seed.  Usually the treat is in the form of a fungicide, insecticide or a combination of both.  The treat is intended to give the seed an advantage against pests and disease during the early stages of germination and seedling growth.  Its common that an additional seed coating is applied to encapsulate the treat to make it safer to handle.  This coating can be colored or remain clear.
• Untreated – The seed is clean with no active ingredients applied.  In general Raw and Untreated are both terms commonly used to refer to clean, untreated seed. There are sanitation processes that are commonly used to disinfect the seed of seed borne pathogens but these do not leave any residual active ingredients on the seed and the seed is not considered “treated”.  Common seed sanitation processes include Hot Water treatments, and common household cleaners such as bleach or Trisodium Phosphate (TSP). Because the sanitation solution evaporates and leaves no residual active ingredients on the seed, it can be marketed as untreated or raw.
• Organic – Seed is cleaned and untreated, and it was grown under Certified Organic conditions.
• Pelleted – Seed has been coated with an inert material in order to increase the seed size for easier planting.
• Multi-Pelleted – The pellet contains more than one seed. One pellet will create multiple plants.
• Primed – Seed has been primed for easier germination, through a physical processes like steam treatment or through chemical treatment.
• Detailed – Fibrous “tails” have been removed from seeds for easier handling and flowability. This may be achieved through either a physical or chemical process.

Can I harvest and save seeds from my own plants?

Harvesting and saving seeds from your plants is something some gardeners may do! However, to be most successful, you will want to grow OP varieties and harvest seeds from those. Hybrid varieties are often preferred for their vigor and unique characteristics but saved seed from hybrids will not be exactly like what you enjoyed the first season. These desired hybrid characteristics may include the following: plant habit, plant vigor, yield, uniformity of plants, bloom type and bloom color, fruit quality, and appearance.

If you are looking for the same qualities you had the first season, we highly recommend purchasing new seeds each season. The vendors who supply seeds to retailers adhere to many checks and balances helping to provide the highest quality seed and very specific characteristics that customers expect, such as high-quality germination, purity, and disease-free seed. Seed saved from your own garden may carry over less desirable characteristics.

Why does a company stop carrying my favorite variety?

Suppliers discontinue varieties for many reasons. Breeding programs are producing new products at an impressive rate and many older varieties are simply being replaced by the newer and better ones. Please inquire anytime you no longer see a favorite variety listed. They can recommend a better variety that has taken its place.

Read more at Seed Facts for Informed Buyers. Do you have additional questions about #SeedFacts and buying seeds and plants? Post your questions in the comments below and we’ll answer them in future #seedfacts blog posts!