buying seeds

I have some seed catologs and I was wondering are they better seed than what you buy in the stores? I notice burpe seeds in my hardware store the same flower seeds in thier catolog but they are cheaper in the store . are the catolog seeds better quality? also I am wanting to try and grow wave petunia seeds that you purchase froom a catolog has anyone had any luck growing them?

Just check the date on the package on the ones at the store, If the Burpee ones are cheaper in the store get those. There are some better seeds companies, that have better germination rates than others. You'll also find a larger selection in catalogs

Check out the ratings on the Watchdog....
http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/

I tried petunias from seed once but didn't do well for me, maybe someone has had better luck

I'd also compare the amount of seed you get from the store as compared to their catalog. Internet and mail order also allows a much greater selection. Take tomatoes for example. At the local garden store you might find a dozen varieties. On the internet the number easily approaches 1000 or more. If you join Seed saver exchange I think their yearbook list over 3000!

happyannie, I start petunia seeds every year and they are quite easy to grow. I start different varieties in small flats (about 4"x6" or so), slip a plastic bag over them to keep the growing medium damp and keep them under close fluorescent lighting. They do take a bit longer than other annuals to germinate so be patient. Don't let the medium get too wet, watch them carefully and vent them if they do. You can remove the plastic cover when they are established, about 1" high.

annie, I grow all my wave petunias from seed. Some don't like them, but I use the Jiffy pellets. You soak them, they plump up. Once you see the tips of roots peeking out around the edges, pot them up a size, or you can be lazy like me and just spread them out some in the trays and add more soil. They need lots of light.

I've had good luck with Parks pelleted seeds. I bought seeds online from a smaller seller, they were not waves as claimed. Some people collect seeds from waves, but I have not found them to come true, Waves are a hybrid.

I start mine now for planting the first week of May. It is earlier than most people, but I like a good size petunia when I do my beds and pots.

Oh you guys just answered some of my questions , I think I am not being patient enough and also I planted to deep.and over watered maybe . I have never covered them with plastic either .I have used the jiffy pellets i most admit I like how easy the are to use. Cathy can you explain a little more in detail how you spread them in trays do you cut the puffed up pellet apart with the seedling in it then put in a tray and add soil ? we can normaly plant outside about the week of mothers day, when should I start them to have a good size to plant out side? Thanks so much for your info.Tammy

Happy, glad to answer any questions. When I see the little white roots starting to stick out the sides of my peat pellets, I make another tray of the same size, fill it half way with potting soil, dampen it, then put half of the petunias in it, working them down into the soil. Then I remove the other half from the original tray, fill half way with potting soil, and repeat. I now have 2 trays of petunias.

The roots will start to spread into the soil, and will get a little tangled with each other. I wet the soil really well on the day I'm going to plant, and gently pull the plants apart.

Now, the better way would be to put each in their own pot, but sometimes time just gets away from me. If I don't pot them up or put them in more soil, the growth stops and they just sit there.

I started my petunias last and this week, with the intention of planting out the first week of May, depending on the weather. Our last frost date is the middle of April, but I don't believe it and wait 2 weeks.

And I can't stress enough, they want lots and lots of light.

I think I'll jump in here for a question. Is that appropriate? If not, please forgive me...I'm new to this forum "stuff", but I'm having a great time getting many questions answered! Keeps my mind off of the white stuff coming down outside. I too, have ordered many seeds to start, but haven't planted any yet. I have often wondered about transplanting seedlings, but now, if I'm understanding you correctly, cathy4, you need to to that to promote root growth, otherwise there is no room for the roots if you don't repot them?? Do you repot them once? Twice? before putting them outside? I'm with you, I'd like them nice and large before putting them outside. I plan on starting my petunias this weekend.

wd, I do pot them up once and start early to have large plants. Many of my plants go into beds at my church and I like them to fill out quickly. If you notice roots on store bought plants, they have lots at the bottom and sometimes even sticking out of the drain holes. If I was buying plants the size that I put out, they would be the more expensive ones, not the 6 packs, the main reason I start my own plants.

wd I haven't see where we are particularly uptight about threads wandering around in their subject.

They are the same seeds in the store! I like this company Livingston Seeds. They have a great display in some stores and give more seeds than other companies. You can even see the seeds in some of their packs. They have a nice vaiety of sunflower seeds!Here is a link!
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http://www.livingstonseed.com/

I bough some carrot seeds last year that were Livingston seeds last year they did great. I am planning on using them again this year.

"The Pepper Lady" is fantastic for peppers (ornamental & regular) at near 100% germination after soaking. Johnny's (fabulous brochure) is great, especially their "disks". In a pot on top of good soil, pour 1 inch seed soil then the disk. Soak (rain water is best), sprinkle a covering of seed dirt and spray. Voilla! A ring of 20-30 plants. Other herbs & veggies have a 90+% germination rate.

Lately I've seen "organic" seeds for sale (at a higher price). What is an "organic seed"? This seems to be stretching the term "green" to the breaking point.

I have been getting alot of tomato seeds this year. I simply the tomato in the blender at low speed with water for 10 seconds . The seeds sink to the bottom. Pour it out slow then put the last half inch of water and seeds on a paper towel and dry with fan. Quick and easy! I like to buy unusual seeds then save them the following year!

I wonder if you can do that with peppers and cukes too? have you ever saved green bean seeds?

I love to save cucumber & tomato seeds.

What I do to the tomato seeds is put them in a baggie & allow them to semi-ferment. You can rinse the seeds in a tiny strainer, then allow them to dry. Then they will be ready to start in January & plant by June.

Now about the cucumbers, I allow them to grow on the vine till they are almost yellow & mushy. Rinse & allow them to dry. Keep dried seeds in jars, they keep the best for me.

Tip when growing very small seeds! Peat and sand mix. I get a very fine strainer of a window screen and strain some peat and sand in a box of soil mix! I put about a half inch of the peat and sand mix on top strained. I pat it down and wet it! I now sprinkle my small seeds over the flat size box area. Last I strain about a 1/4 inch of the sand and peat over the seeds and cover it with plastic till I see the seeds sprout and do not add any more water the lastic will keep it moist!! The dry mix on top becomes slightly moist from beneth and it works great! Even when you put up the seedlings the sand and peat cling to the roots!.

Great tip I will try it.