Lettuce – diminishing germination rates

[Don FoleyParticipant]

Hi Charles,

I have been succession sowing Lettuce every 2 weeks since 4th. March, 4 batches to date.
Seeds are sown in cell trays filled with the same multipurpose compost (on surface of compost with light covering of vermiculite) which are placed on the same windowsill. Temperature ranges from 12 to 16 degrees in the room.
Germination rates are as follows:
4 March 73%
18 March 60%
1 April 42%
18 April 21%
I used the same packet of seed for these sowings.
Could you offer some insight into why I am experiencing this diminishing germination rate.
Essentially, each sowing was done in exactly the same way, in the same compost, in the same room, at temperatures that are reasonably stable and not above a level which would prevent germination.
I should add that I am sowing other veg in the same room, Tomatoes, Scallions, Radish, Peas, Turnip, etc., and I am getting germination rates between 80-100% with these.

Don.

[charlesModerator]

Hi Don
This is fascinating and due I expect to what the seedsman from Kings Seeds called ‘germination rates falling rapidly’ when he answered my complaint about the failed Boltardy
It’s nothing you are doing wrong, I think the seed is old, then once the pack is opened and air gets in with a bit of humidity, a decay process quickly ensues.
Rather like supermarket salads going limp when one opens the bag.

[Don FoleyParticipant]

Thanks Charles. My first thought was the seed but then I dismissed that on the basis of the result from the first sowing which I was happy with. I didn’t know seed could go off so quickly. You learn something new every season.

Don.

[FlowersParticipant]

Hi, my first thought on this; I wonder if the angle of the sun coming through your window is changing with each following month?

[PaulParticipant]

I think something REALLY needs doing about this!
We as gardeners, need protection from what is basically fraud.
These seeds were packed year ending* sow by* but how old are the seeds when packed?
I wont hold my breath on anything been done about it.Big bucks talks in our society and I’m afraid that as more of the independent garden centers and seed companies get swallowed up by big conglomerates..The less of a voice we will have.They will reimburse us of course but they won’t or can’t reimburse us time lost and compost etc..Rant over..

[RhysParticipant]

Paul

The best way around is to save your own.

[Don FoleyParticipant]

Hi All,

I don’t buy seed from any of the big companies, T&M, Suttons, etc.
I purchase almost exclusively from Greenvegetableseeds.com (Klaus Laitenberger) and have never had a problem with their seeds. I find him very helpful and forthcoming with advice etc.
I’m getting another packet of these seeds today and will let you know how these perform in due course.
I have lost maybe 3 or 4 weeks, and its messed up my succession schedule but its hardly the end of the world!
If that’s the only problem I have this season I will not complain.

Don.

[DalesmanParticipant]

The big seed sellers you mention are marketing companies and not seedsmen/growers. Fancy packets, advertising and retail distribution cost money. So you end up with poor overpriced product.
My solution is to save the easy seeds, buy as much as poss from Real Seeds and any other bits mostly from eBay sellers (Premier and Seekay- usually organic- usually 99p for generous quantities). I’ve never had a problem. And don’t sneer at Wilkos who seem to clear all their stock each year and start with fresh. I’ve tried basics like Ailsa Craig onions and Greyhound cabbage from them and they germinated so rapidly it was startling.
Can’t complain at rapid service, good quality and low prices. Or have I just been lucky?

[RhysParticipant]

I agree with you Dalesman, almost all seed failures I have come from larger organisations. OGC now off my list after dross Boltardy soon after being acquired by Suttons. Even Seeds of Italy a bit dodgy this year. All seeds I have had from small suppliers, including Real Seeds, have been very good…..

My one exception us JBA for Seed Potatoes – they have been reliable the past five years…..

[CleansweepParticipant]

Having spent a working lifetime in and around the gardening supply trade, so far as I know, the same procedure occurs.
Your ‘garden centre/retailer’ receives on sale or return terms ,from the seed supplier in Jan/feb, a display rack complete with the packet-ed seed selection. Sales are made into the season, with top-ups requested at intervals. Around the end of July, the seeds are withdrawn and returned to supplier for credit.You may have noticed this if you go to buy autumn sowed varieties- they have none!
The seed supplier then re-cycles the stock, adding some fresh seed to improve the overall germination figure*, repackages and gets them back into the sellers just after Christmas .
*This used to be specified for vegetables under The SeedsAct1920, currently I dont know.Obviously, there is scope for not mixing, not sampling etc. Another question not answered is what is done with the “late returns”
Some non specialist majors crash -out their remaining stock cheaply, having bought outright.

[SandraParticipant]

I have ordered more climbing French beans and climbing Borlotto for the same reason, hardly anything was coming up and it is heart breaking when the weeks are passing and I am wondering will anything have enough decent weather/growing time to mature?? It is a very strange spring altogether for me here.

[charlesModerator]

Sandra it has been a cool spring but April is too early to sow Borlotti, runner and French beans. I sow mine next week to plant out late May. Your next sowing will be fine

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