Can you give any more information? Where are you situated geographically? What was the source of the seed/plant? Is it definitely a herb or is it something that just happened to come up in a pot you thought was going to be a herb? Could it be from a culinary culture other than N America or Europe? Is it supposed to be culinary or medicinal? What does it smell like?

It was supposed to be Lemon Balm mint (Saranair Aromatic Viridis) from ebay (Singapore) but when you crush the leaves it smells like pot. Here are the seeds. I did make a few purchases at once so could also be basil seeds...but no basil that I know of...

It is definitely the seeds as I grew another bottle of them as well. I guess I have been scammed of .99 cents... Thanks floral_uk.

Does it have a strong odor? It kinds looks like the Epazote I once grew years ago..

I guess I do not understand the rationale behind ordering relatively common seeds on eBay - and from a distant foreign country no less - that can be easily obtained from a score of local seed company providers.

One of the bigger eBay seed scams is the sale of seeds of named forms of Japanese maples, often at a premium price. Named forms or cultivars of Japanese maples are only available by cloning (cuttings or grafting), never by seed. A seed grown Japanese maple is just a species Japanese maple. Period!

Only a strong odor when I crush it CA Kate.

As for why eBay gardengal48, it's fun to grow seeds from across the world and the varieties out there (especially tomatoes) are amazing. These aren't found in regular stores.

That being said, I have requested in a separate post for online sources to purchase seeds. No one responded. Please share if you have a reasonably priced source for me that doesn't charge $40 in shipping or $5 for 10 seeds.

Thanks all.

Well, both lemon balm and lemon mint are easily found from local seed vendors. Common and easily obtainable. And I can't imagine eastern Asia is great source for tomato seeds of any kind....they are a New World plant.

The problem with eBay is that there is NO way you can verify the quality or the authenticity of the seed you are purchasing until after it is a done deal. And it is very likely that at least 75% of the seeds offered are just a scam. Here's what another poster said on a thread with a similar topic: "The Chinese scammers on eBay bother me a lot. They suck people in with 99 cents seeds with free shipping, and of course, no one ever receives their seeds, or if they do, they're some kind of weed seed."

And you have just proved their point.

Actually, this is the first time this has happened to me and for the price I would take the 'risk' again. Thanks for the sources...

I don't buy seeds online. My local nursery/garden center carries an enormous array of seeds from about 6-10 different vendors and can special order what they don't have in stock. I have never found it very compelling to search out anything other than what they can provide. AFA online companies, I would never order seeds from anything other than a verifiable seed company - there is just no way to know what you might be getting. Some of the better ones are Seed Savers Exchange, Seeds of Change, Botanical Interests, Nichols Garden Nursery, Baker Creek, Johnny's Select Seeds and Territorial Seeds.

Looks a bit like a rue seedling. I've heard so many horror stories about buying seeds on ebay and Amazon, I wouldn't take the risk even for $1. You spend weeks starting and caring for them until they mature...it would be a waste of time if you can't trust the source.

Have you investigated the SEED EXCHANGE forum for seeds that might interest you? It's my understanding that there are quite a few people who participate successfully and safely over there.

I would never choose to buy seeds or plants from an overseas ebay vender. Tomato Lover, your example is a perfect example of why. Overseas shipping of seeds and plants is fraught with the potential of introducing insect pests, diseases, and unwanted invasive species.

Judging by the many problems seen with ebay shipments just here in the gardenweb proves to me that there is little to no inspection going on. That's scary to me.

I don't think it's Rue. It is impossible to see any detail on the seeds in your picture since its not in focus and is inside a plastic bag. But Rue seed looks like this. Is that what you planted?

Epazote leaves are not lobed. I'm sure there are many people in the seed exchange who offer lemon balm on their trading lists. Your plant is unusual looking. You should post an i.d. query on the Name That Plant forum. I'd love to find out what it is too.

I don't think it is rue either and rue does not smell like pot.

Here is a link to many online seed sources and they are all verified and have been in business for many years.

Many companies with many options. Click here for list of catalogs.

Many botanists suggest buying seeds close to your home. These seeds are sold for maximum results having been raised in similar conditions like soil, weather, pests and even length of day.

Tomatoe Lover, I'm still very interested in finding out what this plant is. Has it had any flowers yet, that you can photograph? You will probably get faster results if you post your plant in the Name That Plant forum.

Can't help with the ID but for good priced, high quality seeds you can't go wrong with The Sample Seed Shop. www.SampleSeeds.com I have gotten seeds from Remy a few times and have always been satisfied.

Rodney

Well, I just saw the date of the posts on this thread. Didn't realize it had been a couple months since the OP has been back to comment.

Thanks.

I passed it on to a friend as a mystery plant :).