Comments on: Seed info http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/ Hardy plants for hardy souls Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:24:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Judy http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/comment-page-1/#comment-19132 Judy Mon, 16 Jul 2007 13:36:34 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/#comment-19132 Craig--Thank you for your excellent explanation and background about how some of the new hybrid flowers are developed. I have a question, though--If hybrids do not come true from seed (or even may be sterile?), why is it that we can purchase seeds for some--for example the 'Zowie' Zinnia--from such national suppliers as Stokes, Burpee and Parks. Will these seeds produce true 'Zowies' or will they be just 'similar offspring' with a range of 'true-ness'? I would like to learn a little more about how 'triploids', 'diploids' and 'tetraploids' play into new flower development, too, when you have time for another column on flower seed development! Thanks again. Craig–Thank you for your excellent explanation and background about how some of the new hybrid flowers are developed. I have a question, though–If hybrids do not come true from seed (or even may be sterile?), why is it that we can purchase seeds for some–for example the ‘Zowie’ Zinnia–from such national suppliers as Stokes, Burpee and Parks. Will these seeds produce true ‘Zowies’ or will they be just ‘similar offspring’ with a range of ‘true-ness’?

I would like to learn a little more about how ‘triploids’, ‘diploids’ and ‘tetraploids’ play into new flower development, too, when you have time for another column on flower seed development!

Thanks again.

]]> By: Hanna http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/comment-page-1/#comment-11939 Hanna Tue, 16 Jan 2007 17:06:58 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/#comment-11939 That was alot of fun to read. I always love the "inside" look at places and businesses that I wouldn't have known about otherwise. Thanks! That was alot of fun to read. I always love the “inside” look at places and businesses that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. Thanks!

]]> By: Craig Levy http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/comment-page-1/#comment-11404 Craig Levy Thu, 11 Jan 2007 19:28:05 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/#comment-11404 Seed companies and plug growers are interested in germination percentage but their main concern is a concept called usable plug. Seeds sometimes germinate that are small, weak, underdeveloped, and slow to grow. They look like misses in a tray and are disqualified from being labeled a usable plug. Customers demand a full plug count and growers are perceived as poor quality suppliers if a tray isn’t full. We had an entire Seed Physiology department dedicated to increasing and maintaining a high percentage of usable plugs. They were involved in the entire process from seed harvest and storage to constant 7 days a week workweeks germinating, growing out, and taking counts in 7, 14, and 21 day intervals for all trays. They were responsible for developing and maintaining priming processes. I’m sorry that I used the word “stasis” – sounding too much like science-fiction as I reread it – but I don’t have the technical language to describe it properly but I think you understand the sense of what I mean. Priming is a proprietary process, considered a trade secret, and the details aren’t widely disseminated. Seed companies and plug growers are interested in germination percentage but their main concern is a concept called usable plug. Seeds sometimes germinate that are small, weak, underdeveloped, and slow to grow. They look like misses in a tray and are disqualified from being labeled a usable plug. Customers demand a full plug count and growers are perceived as poor quality suppliers if a tray isn’t full.

We had an entire Seed Physiology department dedicated to increasing and maintaining a high percentage of usable plugs. They were involved in the entire process from seed harvest and storage to constant 7 days a week workweeks germinating, growing out, and taking counts in 7, 14, and 21 day intervals for all trays.

They were responsible for developing and maintaining priming processes. I’m sorry that I used the word “stasis” – sounding too much like science-fiction as I reread it – but I don’t have the technical language to describe it properly but I think you understand the sense of what I mean. Priming is a proprietary process, considered a trade secret, and the details aren’t widely disseminated.

]]> By: tom wagner http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/comment-page-1/#comment-11358 tom wagner Thu, 11 Jan 2007 02:47:27 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/#comment-11358 "stasis" was a new word for me, I would like to see more articles on the handling of seeds. I am not a professional grower, but rather a small time gardener with time to putz around with seeds on a small scale, over the years I have invented some of the same techniques for misting plants, bottom heating, using timers, refrigerating seeds just like the big boys, but at a fraction of the cost or free. “stasis” was a new word for me, I would like to see more articles on the handling of seeds. I am not a professional grower, but rather a small time gardener with time to putz around with seeds on a small scale, over the years I have invented some of the same techniques for misting plants, bottom heating, using timers, refrigerating seeds just like the big boys, but at a fraction of the cost or free.

]]> By: Annie in Austin http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/comment-page-1/#comment-11337 Annie in Austin Wed, 10 Jan 2007 22:47:21 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/#comment-11337 Thanks, Craig - I especially enjoyed the part about commercial seed-sowing. Annie Thanks, Craig – I especially enjoyed the part about commercial seed-sowing.

Annie

]]> By: Jenn http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/comment-page-1/#comment-11336 Jenn Wed, 10 Jan 2007 22:41:22 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/#comment-11336 Great post! Thanks! Great post! Thanks!

]]> By: beth http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/comment-page-1/#comment-11324 beth Wed, 10 Jan 2007 20:55:35 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/#comment-11324 As I've just licked the envelope on my Fedco seed order, I enjoyed reading this entry. This past year we allowed our fields to grow wild rather than moving them. They are full of a wide range of 'weeds'( I prefer to look at it all has habitat). In just one season I've noticed a good amount of plant variation within the same species-especially with the mallow. Sublte shades of pinks and whites vary from plant to plant-it is easily noticeable. The ability to step outside my door and notice what goes on in the fields is one of the things I love most about living my rural life. As I’ve just licked the envelope on my Fedco seed order, I enjoyed reading this entry.
This past year we allowed our fields to grow wild rather than moving them. They are full of a wide range of ‘weeds’( I prefer to look at it all has habitat). In just one season I’ve noticed a good amount of plant variation within the same species-especially with the mallow.
Sublte shades of pinks and whites vary from plant to plant-it is easily noticeable. The ability to step outside my door and notice what goes on in the fields is one of the things I love most about living my rural life.

]]> By: Carol http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/comment-page-1/#comment-11219 Carol Tue, 09 Jan 2007 14:01:42 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/01/09/seed-info/#comment-11219 Great article on seeds. I think having background information like this makes us all better gardeners. Great article on seeds. I think having background information like this makes us all better gardeners.

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