It's funny you mentioned this. I just had some bad leek seeds from Baker Creek. The Giant Musselburgh seed i got from them only germinated at a 20% rate and the seedlings are all very weak. On the other hand, i had a pack of Scotland Leeks from Seeds of change and I have had a 99% germination rate. I had to re-sow more of the Scotlands. Hopefully they are tasty, I've never grown this variety before, but like you, it is too late for me to try and get new seed.

I think this is a fluke, which I hope is soon resolved to your satisfaction.

I order from several seed companies, and this year decided to get my onion seeds from Fedco. No leeks, but the four onions and one shallot I got from them are having no germination problems at all.

I started out using Burpee seed and never had a problem. Last year I decided to order from a well known seed company figuring I would end up with higher quality seed. My germination rate on most of the seeds was dismal. Luckily I had some burpee seed left over from the prior year that ended up saving the season. This year I am back to Burpee. Maybe not the most popular opinion around here, but for me it works.

Even reputable companies will produce a bad packet every now and again. To me it has happened half a dozen times over 15 yrs. Better this way than to grow a melon a whole season, only to find it inedible.

All my FEDCO seeds have been fine this year so far and I had great luck with them last year. I have the same leek from FEDCO and will be planting tonight (yes, I'm late). I'll let you know how mine do.

Bellatrix

I have gotten only good seed from Fedco. Baker Creek has had less viable seed a couple times. I did read a report a few years ago from a market gardener that too many seeds from Fedco were mislabled. Anyway, I think that seeds from Fedco and Baker Creek are a little bit more likely to have an occasional problem...BECAUSE they rely on some of their seed growers who are small and local.

Still no further germination in that flat. But I'm starting my onion seed, also from FEDCO in a week. I sure hope that does better. Bad enough not to have leeks next winter, but even worse not to have onions. I'm also going to phone FEDCO if I don't hear by email by Monday.

Bellatrix, do let us know if they germinate for you.

I know from personal experience that the folks at FEDCO are as busy as bees right now, but I'm sure they will address your problem. I have dealt with them for over 20 years, buying thousands of dollars worth of seeds annually, and they will always do what they can to address seed problems. I don't agree that it is too late to start leeks - I have 600 started and will be planting another 300 next weekend, and 300 more every 2 weeks until May. Bleu de Solaise are very winter hardy and will last in the garden till spring with minimal protection.

From page 6 of the 2012 FEDCO catalog:

Have a Seed Quality Problem?
� Ask yourself: Where and when did I get the seed? How did I store it?
� Email CR Lawn at seedquality@fedcoseeds.com.
� Please report it as soon as you become aware of it so that we can help you
and other people who may be having the same problem.
� Please supply as much specific information as you can about what went
wrong and how it went wrong so that we can diagnose the problem and
correct it in the future. As a minimum we need to know variety name, size
of packet bought, lot number if available, the nature of the problem and
your address to refund you.

FEDCO is not only busy, they're a much smaller inner-office operation than most people would think.

They're a great company, imo...but during busy seasons customer service can take a long time and you're better off trying (with patience) to resolve things on the phone rather than via email (unless they've taken care of that office issue by now).

Here is a related thread.

Here is a link that might be useful: leek germination

UPDATE. Yesterday evening I saw some seed sprouting. FEDCO had already contacted me and I told them seed was sprouting. Though I must say, this was the longest I have ever waited for leek seed to sprout. Just over 2 weeks.

Lacey - I will let you know how they germinate if I ever get them planted! I'm so behind in starting my seeds. Do you have any seed left? I would try again, but keep them off the heat mat. I never start onions or leeks on a heat mat. They do better for me with a cooler starting temperature. Also, make sure that the potting mix is fully re-hydrated. I mix my potting soil in a bucket with water (granted it is from a large promix block and needs extra help getting water throughout the mix) then add to the flats. I water, let sit, water again, let sit and then plant. The only germination trouble that I've had was when small pockets of the potting soil did not get thoroughly wet and dried out around the seeds more than I could tell from looking at the top of the flat.

Good luck! And I *will* plant today. Really :)
Bellatrix

mine came up good as did my king sieg, copras, cipolinis,varsitys, and rossa di milanos.