climate - does it really matter

[meadowyck]

Those of you in the hotter climates, when you purchase new seeds, do you try to purchase from a like climate for your veggies?

I see all the wonderful sites for seeds but most if not all are northern companies. I feel that I won't have as much success growing my seeds in this climate.

So does it matter or not to you and why?

thanks

[b54red]

The variety seems to be the factor that makes the most difference. I have had good and bad luck with seeds purchased as far north as Canada and the same results with seeds from Florida.

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by b54red

The variety seems to be the factor that makes the most difference. I have had good and bad luck with seeds purchased as far north as Canada and the same results with seeds from Florida.

Agree with B4.

There really is no adaptation of varieties to a particular climate as I see it and have experienced myself.

Look at all the folks who grow varieties originally from Siberia for both early and late crops who live in zones 8, 9 and 10.

And it depends on the seed company where they get their seeds from. A very few produce their own seeds, some subcontract out for seed production, and that could be anywhere, and some buy wholesale off the shelf, and those could be grown anywhere, and the larger companies do commercial seed production in Asia, India, China, Taiwan, etc., for many of the well known F1 hybrids as well as some OP's.

All Sungold F1 seeds, for instance, are produced in Taiwan.

Look at the varieties offered by Linda at Tomato Growers Supply in Fort Myers, FL as another example. She obtains seeds from many places, from the companies that hybridize and sell F1 seeds, usually produced in non-US places as I mentioned above, from seeds of OP varieties, both heirloom and non-heirloom, that she subcontracts out for seed production as well. And folks all over the US and lots of other countries buy seeds from TGS.

So I do think that where seed production is done, physically, has little to do with how those seeds perform wherever they're grown.

[meadowyck]

thanks yall, seeing as how I'm learning a whole new way of growing at different times of the year, I wondered if where seeds came from would have any bearing on the success of them in my area.

[kurt]

Meadowwyck,small story for you.I have a friend that lives in Everglades City which is on the gulf side.His ground is mainly all crushed oyster shells and oolitic limestone that is the norm for the area and occurs naturally.He is wide open with no real trees as I am not(I am crowded with vegetation all over)He is 200 yards from the gulf and gets a lot of moisture from the water(a lot of salt in the air).I am almost 15 miles inland from the Atlantic side and grow in containers with promix and use water soluable ferts and foliar spraying.We have grown the same Black Cherrys from same seed source(Original Tomatofest)now at about f7-8 for over the years.He gets quicker growth,but not the same height, but his tastes close to same as mine.His are lighter in mahonagy color and mine are darker.Same grow out changes through the years.My heights and size are larger(plant wise)He(In ground) does not water since his water table is 1-1 1/2 foot and I am in containers.I have tried all kind of reasoning but the variety stays true to original source.The only way I think would be to duplicate the same exact growing methods and mediums over at least 10 years in different climates to see change(If any).

[meadowyck]

Thanks Kurt for that insight. I wonder if the salt water aid with his growth...LOL

Jan