If you've successfully germinated tomato seed before, as it sounds as though you have, and gotten good results, then I'd suggest that you got low germinating seed.

Tomato seeds don't need dark to germinate.

While there are some excellent folks with good reputations who sell stuff off e-bay I'd be very wary indeed, just in general. So much of what's sold as to tomato seed on e-bay can be easily purchased from many seed sources. Anyone can do a Google search and up will pop many of them. ( smile)

If you want to pursue your seed issue take some seeds, place them in a wet paper towel and put that in a closed baggie and see what happens in a few days.

Carolyn

She said she never heard of germinating seeds in a baggie and didn't recommend that. I'll try your paper towel idea.

Any suggestions on where to get the seed??? Totally Tomatoes seems to have good seed however, their seed does not come in plastic pouches (necessary for rainy Seattle mail men). They also do not answer customer requests or questions on previous purchases.

I ordered from Tomato Grower's supply. Their envelope came with "low germination rate, seed count doubled" stamped on the back of it. Of those that germinated, some look like healthy 6 week old tomato plants, but a couple look of them have only put up a solitary green duck-foot shaped leaf.

I started a second group of them recently, but I have about 6 seeds left. Send me an email if you want them.

Jan/Jill

Not sure if this is allowed here but maybe it'll save someone else some misery. Grady Distributing has the best germination rate on seeds for me. They're on the web and e-bay.

Excellent: Grady Distributing

They only sell seed with a Germination rate of 85% or better (I get 100% germination on the many types of seeds boughten there - hardy sprouts).

OK: Totally Tomatoes
Seeds germinate at 100% for me and every spout is hardy. Does not answer customer questions. Pkgs ship in paper not plastic. But the box is well protected.
http://www.totallytomato.com

Poor: Merles Garden Center
If a seed germinates, it doesn't seem to live beyond the initial leaves. Ships in a 1st class envelope that probably squashes the leaves in the mail machines. Answers questions. No refunds. Home-made packets with incorrect instructions

>>squashes the leaves in the mail machines.

Whopps probably squashes the seeds.

vrkelley,

..and I thought it was just me.....

I have an awful time getting Red Robin to germinate (less than 25% success rate), while I typically get 90%+ plus on all my other varieties (grew 32 varieties this year). My seeds came from a respected Forum member, so I trust that she fermented them properly, etc.

So maybe is is just something in the genetics of the Red Robin variety????

Raybo

I received Red Robin seeds recently in trade and started 5 in a wet paper towel, stored inside a plastic baggie which was then placed on my tivo box. After merely 24 hours, 2 have sprouted!! I'll update in a few more days. I can send you seeds after these fruit and are fermented.

Deb

Sorry for the confusion about the seed distributors. Those 3 that I named are all web based:

TotallyTomatoes is not on E-Bay
Grady Distributing is on E-bay and I think you can order direct
Merles Garden Center is on E-Bay

Update to my Red Robin germination:

I started five seeds in moistened paper towel, inside a baggie, placed on my TIVO box. After 24 hours, 2/5 had sprouted. After two days, 2/5 still. I then placed the baggie in a seed starting tray, with lid, on a heating mat. I then forgot about the baggie (!!) for two days. I checked this am and the other three have sprouted. I'll grow all five plants and select the first fruits of each and ferment/save seeds for you all:) I'll post on the tomato growing forum and this post when the seeds are ready.

This September I planted all my seeds (my own)and very few germinated. Then I remembered a tip that has worked well for me. I took some of the same seeds, soaked them in lukewarm water for several hours and then planted them. I had a 100% germination rate from the soaked seeds. My tomato plants are healthy and happy, and I enjoy watching them grow. But as a result of non-germination of my first planting, my plants started a month later than I originally planned. Now I must wait until the end of December before tasting the first fruit. Then I will be eating fresh tomatoes until the end of May. Some plants might make it into June.

After reading this thread, I might have to try for myself to germinate a Red Robin someday.

Sandy

>>place them in a wet paper towel and put that in a closed >>baggie and see what happens in a few days.

Reporting back. NONE of the other seeds germinated out of the entire pack. I tried both the seller's method and the method below. On ebay seeds BUYER BEWARE

I like to use the wet towel and plastic baggie for Tiny Tim and Red Robins.

Send me a private message and I'll send a dozen seeds of Red Robin from 08 growout for SASE.

northernmich

With a baggie and some bright light, your seeds sprouted nicely. Thank you.