Bad Advice on the Internet

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by jwr6404

How do the large distributers of seeds prepare their seeds for packaging and sale? just curious.

Large commercial seed producers such as Novartis, Petoseed, aka Seminis, Sakata, Harris-Moran and many others sell wholesale in large amounts/variety to the companies we know as retailers.

It isn't uncommon for them to sell in pound amounts, so with hybrid seed in particular that's quite an expense. Lesser amounts are sometimes available.

it's the retail companies such as Burpee, TGS, Stokes, Parks and anyone else who doesn't produce all their own seed to repackage in their own seed packs with their name on them and what info they want to impart on that package.

The smaller retailers that we know may produce all their own seed, such as Sandhill and mariseeds, or like TGS they may subcontract out for certain varieties or buy off the shelf.

Buying in large amounts is more cost effective, usually, but then it also means that storage conditions for the seeds have to be optimal to ensure good germination. Some, but not all retail places do germination tests.