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Rat_Patrol
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Posted: 8/15/2012 9:45:00 PM
[Last Edit: 8/16/2012 12:16:29 AM by Rat_Patrol]

THE IMAGE ABOVE IS A PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Title kind of says it all. Need to get myself some.

Any experience with high germination rates?
brianf31
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Posted: 8/15/2012 10:01:48 PM
red_on_black
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Posted: 8/15/2012 11:03:36 PM

Non-GMO may not be the right term for what you're looking for. GMO stands for genetically modified organism. That term doesn't cover hybrids, which are produced by crossing two varieties of a plant. GMOs are produced by direct manipulation of DNA–– for example, splicing-in a gene coding for Bacillus thuringensis toxin or resistance to glyphosphate.

I suspect what you are looking for are open-pollinated heirloom seeds. By definition, these will be both non-hybrid and non-GMO. You'll be able to save seed from your garden and plant it the next year to yield the same variety you started with (assuming you don't inadvertently create your own hybrids by planting things too closely).

I like http://www.seedsavers.org/ and have also used http://www.johnnyseeds.com/. If you order from Johnny's, make sure all your seeds are open-pollinated. They also sell hybrids, but their seeds are clearly marked.

"To ban guns because criminals use them is to tell the innocent and law-abiding that their rights and liberties depend … on the conduct of the guilty and the lawless." - Jeff Snyder
Rat_Patrol
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Posted: 8/16/2012 12:16:06 AM

Originally Posted By red_on_black:

Non-GMO may not be the right term for what you're looking for. GMO stands for genetically modified organism. That term doesn't cover hybrids, which are produced by crossing two varieties of a plant. GMOs are produced by direct manipulation of DNA–– for example, splicing-in a gene coding for Bacillus thuringensis toxin or resistance to glyphosphate.

I suspect what you are looking for are open-pollinated heirloom seeds. By definition, these will be both non-hybrid and non-GMO. You'll be able to save seed from your garden and plant it the next year to yield the same variety you started with (assuming you don't inadvertently create your own hybrids by planting things too closely).

I like http://www.seedsavers.org/ and have also used http://www.johnnyseeds.com/. If you order from Johnny's, make sure all your seeds are open-pollinated. They also sell hybrids, but their seeds are clearly marked.

Yes, heirloom seeds. I will make the correction.

10999
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Posted: 8/16/2012 12:47:24 AM
Originally Posted By brianf31:
http://rareseeds.com/


This. I order every year from them. The ladies that own the place are seriously crunchy granola (hardcore Birkenstockers), but they have excellent products. They offer some very good regional packages too.
XSabers
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Posted: 8/16/2012 6:54:25 AM
+1 for Baker Creek Seeds. Great selection, prices, and service. That's where we got our first heirloom seeds and our go to place when we want something different or that we haven't saved already.
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1Timothy 5:8 NKJV

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Wight_Hat
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Posted: 8/16/2012 6:57:18 AM
I can give a +1 to Baker Creek also (rareseeds.com). Our first foray into heirlooms has been quite successful despite the drought.
CTRob65
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Posted: 8/16/2012 1:16:56 PM
http://www.grannysheirloomseeds.com/ has been getting our business for the past few years. Service is excellent and germination rates are exceptional.
I guess EE sellers don't like payment on the same day as me saying I'll buy it because I sure as hell don't get as much feedback as I give.
Ridgerunner9876
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Posted: 8/16/2012 1:36:15 PM
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.

They're good folks with a great variety and good descriptions of each plant. Plus, they are affiliated (iirc) with Montecello and have had a hand in resurrecting or continuing Thomas Jefferson's plants.

Most everything I've gotten from them have very high germination rates.

If I may be so bold as to suggest a few of my favorites:

Purple Pod (Royalty purple pod) green beans. They produce through thick and thin, taste great, and are easy to pick because the pods are purple against the green leaves. They turn green when you cook them, which is way cool, too. I usually just dry my beans rather than can them. Leather breeches or shuck beans is what they're called and they're mighty tasty.

Brandywine, Mule team and Mortgage lifter are tomatos we love.

Corno di Toro peppers are some of the best. Not quite bell shaped but bell flavor, extreme producers, produce through cooler weather and ripen easily without rotting like bells do.

Evergreen corn has been good to us and it really does stay in the milk stage for a long time. Not quite as sweet as Silver Queen, but makes up for it in other areas.

Good luck to you.
motocyclista
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Posted: 8/16/2012 8:24:36 PM
Also a Rare Seeds user here. Like already said, good service and prices. Plus, they are in Missouri.
lumper
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Posted: 8/16/2012 9:43:47 PM
Most of our heirloom seeds come from Baker Creek.
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Cmdr_Zero
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Posted: 8/16/2012 9:58:39 PM
http://www.victoryseeds.com/