Lynda, Thanks for the suggestion of Stokes as a bulk source of Burpeeana Giant zinnias. As a matter of fact, I did purchase a pound of Burpeeana Giants from Stokes last year, because one of my hobbies is breeding zinnias and I like to grow a lot of them looking for exceptional specimens. I grew a bunch of those last year. They would be great for creating a colorful landscape display, but they were somewhat disappointing for use in my zinnia breeding project. Very few were worthy of use in my breeding program. Whereas the Burpeeana Giants from Burpee had a lot of good specimens. The Stokes Burpeeanas came from a grower in Tanzania while the Burpee Burpeeanas came from a grower in France. I have learned that it makes a difference which field a packet of zinnia seeds comes from, even for zinnias with the same name in the same country. That's why I buy zinnia seeds from more than one source. I will benefit from the one-pound of Stokes seeds, by going through them picking out extra big seeds or otherwise unusual seeds. I did some of that last year and I did get one unusual "toothy" zinnia from Tanzania. I still wish that Burpee offered quantity discounts. But thanks again for your response. ZM

You can also do a google search on the specific variety of plant you are interested in. That way, you'll be able to gather much more information than will ever be on a single website, or on the seed packet. Understanding terminology is important, too. The word 'resistance' usually refers to diseases, but can also mean insect pest resistance. That kind of specific information would be quickly discovered with an internet search. The word 'hardiness' typically refers to a plant's ability to withstand cold temperatures, frost, or freezes. You are VERY smart to do this kind of research before you buy decide what seed to buy. I'm of the personal belief that insect and disease resistance should be very important criteria for plant selection.

First for those who have offered their suggestions input and advice and taking time to post on this thread and help me, thank you. I very much appreciate it and you have my gratitude. People have told me numerous things regarding what does transplant well. However I do have some questions still because I'm a little unclear on some stuff that has been said regarding transplanting. According to what some have said most of the time anything that is leafy and green (any kind of lettuce, spinach, and collards) is normally direct sown. However are the reasons that these crops are normally direct sown is because they don't make good candidates for seedling transplantation, or are they able to be started from seed ahead of time indoors and will they transplant well? Is it recommended that they're direct sown (as with root veggies) because they just don't transplant well or can you do either or with leafy green stuff (start them as seedling transplants indoors and then transplant them outdoors or is it recommended you direct sow them where they're to grow). Another question I have is that people have strongly recommended that I plant scallions, onions, and chives indoors then transplant them outdoors. However I thought as a rule-of-thumb that root veggies are to be direct sown because they don't transplant well. Are members of the onion family (chives, onion, and scallions) considered root vegetables? Another thing I have a question about is people who have responded to this thread said they normally direct sow peas. Is this because peas don't transplant well or does it make any difference whether or not they're direct sown or can they be started in peat pots indoors and the seedling transplants transplanted at outdoors at a later date? Also what is a root ball? I know that the root systems of seedlings that are started indoors have to be well developed before they're transplanted or when you go to transplant your seedling transplants they will just die. Justaguy2 something I don't understand is that you told me the secret to successful transplantation is starting seedlings quickly and having them transplanted 2-3 weeks after germination. What I don't understand is wouldn't that be transplanting the seedlings too soon? I don't really know anything about seedling transplanting but what I do know is that if the root systems of the plants you're transplanting aren't sufficiently developed when you go to transplant you're seedling transplants they will not transplant well at all. The other questions I have that people failed to answer that I asked are these: *I'd like to use the method of emulating a breeze for the seedlings via using a fan. When should I introduce this to the seedlings (how old should they be)? How many times a day should I use the fan to emulate a breeze for the seedlings and what is the length of time I should keep the fan on when I do this for the seedlings? The reason I'd like to do this is because it will overall make the seedlings stronger. I know that with seedlings when you transplant seedling transplants you are supposed to follow certain guidelines with temperature, time of day, and weather conditions. What are as a rule of thumb, these guidelines? When during the day should you transplant them? Morning? Afternoon? Evening? What should the weather be like? Also this is going to seem like a very dumb question but how do you carefully transplant seedlings well? I've never done seedling transplants so I don't know how to carefully transplant a seedling. I could use advice with this.

Stage rat. you have to understand the mindset of these engineers, with genius IQ's in math. They are perfectionist's to boot. enough that, sometimes, it can drive you crazy. He'll count just about anything in a seed packet, but even he draws the line when he hit the package of lettuce seeds and opened the inner foil packet and saw way to many seeds for even his patience. I quietly sat there, grinning to myself and thinking "finally a seed packet that you refuse to play with and count." Karen, I'm the one that has been posting the numbers in the seed packets in the burpee seeds on the rack. Been doing it for a couple of years now. K-mart has the seeds in the stores in MA now. I do miss the Martha Stewart seeds they carried when they had a contract with her. She had quite a few seed packets that others didn't have. Can't seem to find a store that carries them now. Fran