No show various seeds again

[Marb67]

I can't believe how many new seed packets are no shows yet again. Kale's, rocket, courgette, salads and more!

Brand new seived compost and molehill soil which has germinated other seeds perfectly fine.

Why oh why oh why are seeds getting poorer in quality?

[Andraste]

My sympathies to you Marb - we've all had the same experiences of unexplained 'no shows' I'm sure.

The good thing is, there's still plenty of time for another attempt

I can't recall why I believe this but I have it in mind that fresh/'in date' seeds from a previously unopened packed that's been stored in & appropriately cool/dark place should achieve 75% germination. They would be expected to go down hill after that.

Sometimes I think I sow to early/late (even a few weeks can make a difference to temp/light whether indoors or outdoors) but all the same, I've had an initial failure from a first sowing then success from a second sowing from exactly the same packets treated in exactly the same way before now - including supposedly 'easy to grow' stuff like lettuce!

[Marb67]

My sympathies to you Marb - we've all had the same experiences of unexplained 'no shows' I'm sure.

The good thing is, there's still plenty of time for another attempt

I can't recall why I believe this but I have it in mind that fresh/'in date' seeds from a previously unopened packed that's been stored in & appropriately cool/dark place should achieve 75% germination. They would be expected to go down hill after that.

Sometimes I think I sow to early/late (even a few weeks can make a difference to temp/light whether indoors or outdoors) but all the same, I've had an initial failure from a first sowing then success from a second sowing from exactly the same packets treated in exactly the same way before now - including supposedly 'easy to grow' stuff like lettuce!

Thanks. It's not as if the soil is bad otherwise I wouldn't have had the success from other sowings which are now very healthy. The cost of seeds has gone up and I don't think they put as many in either. I'll add perlite this time to be sure.

[Penellype]

I agree that bought seed is getting worse. So far this year I have had complete failures from bought onion Sturon seed (new packet, sow by 2027) - I sowed 100 seeds and 0 came up, I then put some on damp kitchen paper and again none came up. I also bought a packet of french bean Voltage (new packet, sow by Dec 2025) and put 10 beans to chit - nothing happened. I bought another packet of a similar variety Dior (sow by end 2026) and this is the result:




There are 10 cells, 6 of the seeds have germinated (they were pre-soaked and grown on a heat mat), one is clearly dead, 2 are a decent size and the other 3 are small and weak. Not impressed.

Just to be clear, these were brand new unopened seed packets, well in date. The compost I used was from a part used bag which has grown other plants, particularly saved seeds from lettuce and peas with no problem at all.

[Marb67]

No show dwarf beans, curly kale (again), Heliotrope, Celery, the list goes on. Its def not my medium or technique because some seeds have come up fine and very healthy. I really do question the quality of seeds these days.

[Andraste]

I'm inclined to agree that seed quality isn't what it once was Marb.

One thing I have noticed this year is the bag of compost I've been using seems to hold water for absolutely ages, so much so that I've stopped putting bags over the trays to keep moisture in when I've had to do second sowings as I think it's rotting seed (even harder shelled stuff like peas/beans). I've had cabbage seedlings in the blow-away since 07 April & mangetout & lettuce in there since 10 April & they've only needed watering once! I wouldn't be without my moisture gauge now (mentioned on your ceanothus thread).

Edit to add: It's my first year growing celery but I read online the seeds are more likely to germinate if you don't cover them with soil. I found them a slow sprouter all the same - sown on 9th Apr on a south facing windowsill, I didn't see the little white root sprouts until 17th Apr.

[Marb67]

Yes I covered the celery with perlite.

[Containergardener]

I agree with andraste re some composts.
I find celery takes ages. I germinate in the cold gh. Alot of my peas disappeared even after chitting? Will sow more today.

[Marb67]

Aaaaand another failure. A simple bean, stored in ideal conditions and brand new. Expires Dec 2025 Every single sowing no show. Soaked some in water and kept moist for a few days and all smelling horrible now. So much for the Wilko germination guarantee!

It's now getting to the point that it's a gamble spending money on seeds as they are so expensive and so unreliable.

[Andraste]

I soaked my FBs for the first time this year - only for an hour or so - & mine rotted too. I also had patchy success with mangetout & peas - although they were soaked for about 8 hours.

I don't usually soaked peas or beans before sowing & they've usually been fine. Combined with my water-retentive compost, I've concluded they were simply too wet to get going before the rot set in. I recommended soaking to my mum for peas/mangetout this year & she's had the same patchy result - I feel a bit guilty for suggesting it as she's similarly had no issues with unsoaked before but we were lured in by thoughts that it would speed germination.

I'm not adverse to chitting on damp kitchen roll but am inclined to think soaking 'in date' beans might do more harm than good sometimes (albeit only based on this year's outcome). I'd be more inclined to suggest soaking for older beans perhaps & definitely make sure I have enough spares for a second sowing if things don't go well.

Edit to add: how does their 'germination guarantee' work? Any chance of a replacement pack of seed?

[ameno]

If Wilko were still open, they could be returned for a refund or replacement. Not anymore, though.

I have found Wilko peas and beans to be pretty unreliable, and what Marb experienced is pretty common in my experience, especially with packets close to their sow-by date.

[ameno]

It's now getting to the point that it's a gamble spending money on seeds as they are so expensive and so unreliable.

That's why you never just accept the loss. Always pursue it and get a refund or replacement (obviously you can't do that with Wilko, but you can with any others).

[Andraste]

Oh yes - I'd forgotten they've closed

[Nicos]

Actually ….there are still a few Wilko stores open but probably none near you Marb.
But there is an online shop which you could contact and ask about returns/ refunds?

https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/help

They may consider the seeds you bought though out of date by now?

No harm in trying?

[Penellype]

I'm inclined to think its the seed not the soaking that is the problem.

Pea Hurst Greenshaft, April 2025:
Put 100 seeds to soak from a packet sow by year end 2025 About 50 of them appeared to be forming roots after a few days, 13 seedlings appeared after planting.
Put 72 seeds to soak a week later, saved from last year's crop. Planted 72 seeds a few days later, 71 seedlings have appeared.

I am saving my own seeds whenever I can.