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South Bloomfield, Ohio

I am posting this thread to receive input from both growers AND seed recipients. Which type of seed packets do you prefer?

Personally, I prefer to receive seeds in paper(manila) envelopes closed with a staple. The packet can then be opened and reclosed using a staple. Paper packets also tend to be larger, allowing the use of larger labels with more readable information.

Paper packets also allow for more "breathing" of the seed. I have received several seeds in plastic, airtight packets which retained moisture and the seed rotted. This was no doubt due to inadequate drying time. Paper packets also tend to be much more difficult to open. Someone with fingers as beat-up as mine has a tough time.

As one who sends out seeds for our group, paper packets are much easier to label and package, especially when you receive so many seeds in a bulk container such as a baggie.

Just my two cents worth. Any other thoughts?

1/10/2010 9:06:10 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

My bad. Should read "Plastic packets also tend to be much more difficult to open".

1/10/2010 9:08:30 AM

Jericho Vermont

I have used plastic the last 2 years due to the cheaper cost per 100 and they are lighter to mail (they take up less space as well in a bubble) I do prefer the paper ones though and may be switching next year. I punch 2 holes in all of my plastic envelopes to help the seeds stay dry as well.
John

1/10/2010 12:18:17 PM

Taylorsville, California

I'm a visual stimulation type of guy, so I prefer the plastic so I can ogle my seeds without opening the pack,,and as John said they do take up less room

1/10/2010 1:32:44 PM

canal winchester ohio

I think it started 5 or 6 years ago as a "trust" issue. Joe I know you remember long ago when this hobby exploded & with it fake seeds & seeds you weren't sure were real McCoys. Some of you remember when you traded seeds with someone you didn't get 1 seed you got a paper envelope with normally 3 seeds in it. And if you traded a couple the envelope with the single seed looked pretty raggedy.
Now add 600-700 people trading & collecting seeds & sometimes when you got a seed in trade & saw a raggedy envelope from someone you hadn't traded with before you were a little suspicious about it.
Now the same seed in a plastic bag looks "cleaner" so our mind doesn't instantly think fake. I'm not saying that's how everyone is but that's how society is as a whole---clean is better, shabby must be wrong in some way.
I remember talking with someone via email a few years back who was pissed that the seed he got in a trade was hollow when he got it, but the paper envelope was still stapled shut. When he talked to the person he traded with the persons response was " I didn't want to open it & then you thought I swapped it with a fake"... My point exactly.He didn't want to give the impression.
That may not be why everyone is using them now ( I just prefer the ease of them). Now it may have become common place & folks like using them, but I think the origin of it was trust.

1/10/2010 2:15:21 PM

El Paso TX.

As a first year grower my opinion probably doesn't count for much but I received a few seeds in each type (plastic, manila) and of the 2 I kind of like the plastic since you can see the seeds inside without having to open them - I also really like the ones I got from VTjohn - as he mentioned he punched a couple holes with a hole punch and also the part I like was he printed labels for each packet with a picture of the pumpkin they came from along with the details of the parents - which makes a good reference for the color\etc. of them (though I know not all growers will have a color printer to do this but it does make a nice looking packet!

Overall though as long as it has the seed in it, if it is the seed you were looking for any type of packet will do ! (especially since they are being kind enough to share them.) Though I can see how for the issues with high $ value seeds bought at auction etc. a method of deterring opening and resealing a packet could become needed to ensure it was what you were paying for - maybe a nice miniature self inking rubber stamp tool of some type should be made that could be made unique for each grower to stamp all of his seeds with would be a good item for one of the shops to come up with so at least you could verify which grower it came from. ( I know I've seen similar things used by various fast food chains to stamp there customer loyalty cards - the type where you get so many punches to get a free item or such for example - so there has to be some manufacturer out there that can make such a thing.)

1/10/2010 8:34:20 PM

Circleville ,OH.

I prefer plastic anymore Joe. You can see the seed without opening the package.Harder to open should be a good thing as they only need opened when you plan to plant the seed.

Also I have had seeds in the paper that have got wet in the bottom of the frige and when that happens they are useless.Now all the seeds I get go in a gallon ziplock bag to prevent that from happening again.

The other thing is now I put the seed info inside the bag so it cant fall off and the seed info get lost and it can always be seen. I always have stored my seeds in quart freezer bags so the lack of air wont hurt the seeds.

Just my 2cents.

1/11/2010 10:08:15 AM

decisions much like groceries we make. i like paper sack;s there but like plastic for seeds

1/11/2010 1:41:24 PM

Long Island,New York

if you keep your seed packets lined up nicey-nicey in rows by weight in tupperware the plastic ones really suck.

1/11/2010 2:26:50 PM

Ohio

I personally like plastic because you can see the seed but I do agree paper are more secure. Maybe start stapling the plastic ones too? Joe, what do you think of my brown UV resistant plastic ones I put my seeds in?

1/12/2010 11:29:15 PM

British Columbia, Canada

I personally like paper ones.
You've got more trust with the paper ones rather then plasic.

-Mainly because many growers sign their name on it, so you know it came directly from them.

-Though others also include a picture on every packet they send out. So if you know the grower likes to do this, then making sure the photo hasn't been re-glued can be important.

-And the most obvious, if the seed packet either have a label, picture or name on it, you can simply check the staple holes. If they've got more then 1 staple punch in them, you know the packet has been opened beore. Unlike paper ones, plastic packs could've opened it many time before, and you'd never know until you find a Jack-Be-Little growing in your patch.

1/13/2010 1:13:05 AM