How to choose good flower seeds

To grow viable flowers in an outdoor flower bed or garden, it is very important to choose the right seeds. It's difficult to judge the quality of planting material based on its packaging, but by knowing and following the rules for selecting and purchasing, you can avoid disappointment. By studying photos of examples before going to the store, you can visually assess some of the properties of your desired specimens.

Selection rules

First of all, when purchasing seeds in bags, carefully examine the packaging. It's best if they're packaged for small-scale retail sale directly in the region of sale. This reduces the number of intermediaries between the producer and the consumer, and reduces the likelihood that storage terms and conditions have been violated. Furthermore, the packaging must include the following information:

• name of the plant species and variety, if a hybrid, then the designation of the first or second generation;
• GOST, DSTU or other regulatory document;
• wet stamped packing date;
• best before date;
• weight and number of pieces;
• full name of the manufacturer along with address and logo;
• barcode;
• hologram.

All seeds should be clean inside, of uniform size and shape, allowing for precise identification of their species. There should be no mechanical damage, signs of insect pests, fungi, or mold. The seeds should not be damp or stuck together, and the packaging should not be damaged.

Pre-treated seeds are individually packaged in colored, soluble capsules containing protective and nutrient-rich substances. Traditional paper bags are unreliable packaging. To fully preserve the planting material's properties, reputable sellers package them in sealed glass capsules. By purchasing planting material in this packaging, you can be assured of good germination, the declared variety, and a visual estimate of the approximate number of seeds.

Where to get seeds?

Experienced gardeners know that home-collected seeds are the least likely to cause problems. Seeds that are collected promptly upon reaching maturity, carefully dried, and stored in a cool, dry place free from pest damage have a good germination rate. However, they should not be stored for too long. While some flowers retain their ability to germinate for five to six years, most varieties retain this lifespan for no more than two to three years.

Seeds should be collected from the largest and most beautiful flowers in the group. Furthermore, when planning harvesting for subsequent seasons, it's important to avoid cross-pollination and damage to the varietal seed. Therefore, flowers belonging to closely related groups should be grown separately, away from each other.