Where to source good seeds for a hobbyist gardener?

TEUser2K1 · Jul 4, 2024

Off topic to OP's post. Anyways, GMO cotton was introduced as manna for Indian cotton farmers initially. When it failed, they blamed farmers for not following 'scientific farming methods'. The reality is different.

Later there were even claims that such plants needs suitable specialty chemicals provided by seed vendor for successful industrial farming ! (won't be able to trace the links to it, sorry)

Indian hybrid Bt cotton production is further complicated by the development of resistance to Bt toxins in the key pest, the native pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders, PBW), resulting in increased insecticide use that induces ecological disruption and outbreaks of highly destructive secondary pests.

Hybrid Bt cotton is failing in India: cautions for Africa - Environmental Sciences Europe

This paper reviews the ongoing failure of hybrid transgenic Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton unique to India. The underlying cause for this failure is the high cost of hybrid seed that imposes a suboptimal long-season low plant density system that limits yield potential and has associated...

enveurope.springeropen.com

Long-term analysis shows GM cotton no match for insects in India - The Source - Washington University in St. Louis

Genetically modified Bt cotton is the most widely planted cotton crop in India by acreage, and it is hugely controversial. Supporters long touted increased yields and reduced pesticides to justify its pickup. But that argument does not hold up under the first long-term study of Bt cotton impacts...

source.wustl.edu

Hope OP gets the kind of seeds / seedlings of his liking and best wishes for him as a person curiously interested in food forest permaculture.

anmolbhard004 · Jul 4, 2024

TEUser2K1 said:
Off topic to OP's post. Anyways, GMO cotton was introduced as manna for Indian cotton farmers initially. When it failed, they blamed farmers for not following 'scientific farming methods'. The reality is different.

Later there were even claims that such plants needs suitable specialty chemicals provided by seed vendor for successful industrial farming ! (won't be able to trace the links to it, sorry)

Indian hybrid Bt cotton production is further complicated by the development of resistance to Bt toxins in the key pest, the native pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders, PBW), resulting in increased insecticide use that induces ecological disruption and outbreaks of highly destructive secondary pests.

Hybrid Bt cotton is failing in India: cautions for Africa - Environmental Sciences Europe

This paper reviews the ongoing failure of hybrid transgenic Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton unique to India. The underlying cause for this failure is the high cost of hybrid seed that imposes a suboptimal long-season low plant density system that limits yield potential and has associated...

enveurope.springeropen.com

Long-term analysis shows GM cotton no match for insects in India - The Source - Washington University in St. Louis

Genetically modified Bt cotton is the most widely planted cotton crop in India by acreage, and it is hugely controversial. Supporters long touted increased yields and reduced pesticides to justify its pickup. But that argument does not hold up under the first long-term study of Bt cotton impacts...

source.wustl.edu

Hope OP gets the kind of seeds / seedlings of his liking and best wishes for him as a person curiously interested in food forest permaculture.

class 12 biology

TEUser2K1 · Jul 5, 2024

anmolbhard004 said:
class 12 biology

But many who supposedly 'only believed in science' were ridiculing those who were skeptical of such crops.

kuduku · Jul 13, 2024

skoka123 said:
Iceberg Lettuce will be bitter if the temperature goes beyond 35C. Growing Squash, Zucchini, Bell Peppers and Cherry tomatoes is easy. They grow in tropical weather. I have not grown Jalapenos.

Can you pls recommend mineral added water/prophylactic/fertilizer which needs to be added or sprayed for faster germination/resistance and while shifting to soil in ground - if required

skoka123 · Jul 15, 2024

kuduku said:
Can you pls recommend mineral added water/prophylactic/fertilizer which needs to be added or sprayed for faster germination/resistance and while shifting to soil in ground - if required

I am not sure I understood your question. Are you asking for recommendations for water-soluble fertilizers? Why do you want the seed to germinate faster? I do not want to recommend anything without knowing your garden's size. To avoid transplantation shock you can use 0.5% Calcium Nitrate solution.

The trick is to ensure your seedlings are healthy. You would need a good potting mix for that and regular fertigation.

kuduku · Jul 15, 2024

skoka123 said:
I am not sure I understood your question. Are you asking for recommendations for water-soluble fertilizers? Why do you want the seed to germinate faster? I do not want to recommend anything without knowing your garden's size. To avoid transplantation shock you can use 0.5% Calcium Nitrate solution.

The trick is to ensure your seedlings are healthy. You would need a good potting mix for that and regular fertigation.

yes i was asking for water-soluble fertilizers . I might not have a fertigation sys but use hose pipe to water . I have 30x30 feet area available which has spinach , coriander , mint , capsicum , tomato and chilllies grown . Okra now has finished .
And have now purchased Lettuce , Basil , Amaranthus , Bok Choy , Tomato , Celery knol knol , indam from the websites discussed in the thread

roadrash99 · Jul 15, 2024

Adding fertilizer is the best thing I did to my home garden. Growing up in a traditional family, I was always told manure=good and fertiliser=bad. So I wanted to learn how to make my own compost because I thought it would do some magic to my plants, and I started reading about the science of composting - https://compost.css.cornell.edu/science.html

Reading this made me realise what is actually happening when plants grow. Our gardens are artificial systems anyway, so are the crops in our farms. There is nothing natural about them or the plants in them. Makes no sense to try and do something "natural" with them. Compost adds some nitrogen but barely, its main purpose is to improve soil texture, for example if your soil is too clayey. After I started adding fertiliser I have had almost 100% success rate with all my plants. It's the one thing that's missing in our gardens because we lack even those slow natural sources of nitrogen, that only exists in a complete ecosystem (which our gardens are not).

kuduku · Jul 15, 2024

roadrash99 said:
Adding fertilizer is the best thing I did to my home garden. Growing up in a traditional family, I was always told manure=good and fertiliser=bad. So I wanted to learn how to make my own compost because I thought it would do some magic to my plants, and I started reading about the science of composting - https://compost.css.cornell.edu/science.html

Reading this made me realise what is actually happening when plants grow. Our gardens are artificial systems anyway, so are the crops in our farms. There is nothing natural about them or the plants in them. Makes no sense to try and do something "natural" with them. Compost adds some nitrogen but barely, its main purpose is to improve soil texture, for example if your soil is too clayey. After I started adding fertiliser I have had almost 100% success rate with all my plants. It's the one thing that's missing in our gardens because we lack even those slow natural sources of nitrogen, that only exists in a complete ecosystem (which our gardens are not).

Recommendations pls , what to add , Amazon or any website link or Brand name which you are using

skoka123 · Jul 15, 2024

kuduku said:
yes i was asking for water-soluble fertilizers . I might not have a fertigation sys but use hose pipe to water . I have 30x30 feet area available which has spinach , coriander , mint , capsicum , tomato and chilllies grown . Okra now has finished .
And have now purchased Lettuce , Basil , Amaranthus , Bok Choy , Tomato , Celery knol knol , indam from the websites discussed in the thread

I can surely help you. Are you growing directly in soil or pots/grow bags? My recommendation will be based on it. How many hours are you willing to spend per week? Are you willing to spend 2 hours per week or do you want to spend much less time and go for slow-release fertilizers? How long are you going to have this 30x30 area? Will you grow regularly for at least 3 to 4 years? If you are growing directly in the soil, then what type of soil is it? Do you know the pH of the soil? Do not worry if you do have the answers for this. The more information I have the better can be my recommendation.

roadrash99 · Jul 15, 2024

kuduku said:
Recommendations pls , what to add , Amazon or any website link or Brand name which you are using

It's all generic stuff, usually there are numbers that show you the NPK ratios, 10-10-10 is most common and easy to obtain (note that only ratio is important, 1-1-1 is same as 10-10-10.

General Purpose: Balanced Ratio (e.g., 10-10-10): Suitable for a wide range of plants in healthy soil.
Leafy Vegetables and Lawns: High Nitrogen (e.g., 20-10-10): Promotes lush, green foliage and fast growth.
Flowering Plants and Fruits: Higher Phosphorus (e.g., 10-20-10): Enhances blooming and fruit development.
Root Vegetables: Higher Potassium (e.g., 5-10-20): Supports strong root growth and disease resistance.
Starting New Plants: Starter Fertilizer (e.g., 10-52-10): High phosphorus boosts root establishment.
Poor Soil or Specific Deficiencies: Customized Mix (based on soil test): Corrects specific nutrient deficiencies.

Start with small quantities because overusing fertilisers makes the unsused fertiliser wash away and end up in the rivers and lakes. There it boosts the growth of algae, since they also plant-like and need the same nutrients, and that causes Eutrophication which is what you studied in school. Watch some videos on correct quantity to apply.

kuduku · Jul 15, 2024

skoka123 said:
I can surely help you. Are you growing directly in soil or pots/grow bags? My recommendation will be based on it. How many hours are you willing to spend per week? Are you willing to spend 2 hours per week or do you want to spend much less time and go for slow-release fertilizers? How long are you going to have this 30x30 area? Will you grow regularly for at least 3 to 4 years? If you are growing directly in the soil, then what type of soil is it? Do you know the pH of the soil? Do not worry if you do have the answers for this. The more information I have the better can be my recommendation.

thanks PM sent

roadrash99 said:
It's all generic stuff, usually there are numbers that show you the NPK ratios, 10-10-10 is most common and easy to obtain (note that only ratio is important, 1-1-1 is same as 10-10-10.

General Purpose: Balanced Ratio (e.g., 10-10-10): Suitable for a wide range of plants in healthy soil.

Leafy Vegetables and Lawns: High Nitrogen (e.g., 20-10-10): Promotes lush, green foliage and fast growth.

Flowering Plants and Fruits: Higher Phosphorus (e.g., 10-20-10): Enhances blooming and fruit development.

Root Vegetables: Higher Potassium (e.g., 5-10-20): Supports strong root growth and disease resistance.

Starting New Plants: Starter Fertilizer (e.g., 10-52-10): High phosphorus boosts root establishment.

Poor Soil or Specific Deficiencies: Customized Mix (based on soil test): Corrects specific nutrient deficiencies.

Start with small quantities because overusing fertilisers makes the unsused fertiliser wash away and end up in the rivers and lakes. There it boosts the growth of algae, since they also plant-like and need the same nutrients, and that causes Eutrophication which is what you studied in school. Watch some videos on correct quantity to apply.

I thinki need to use 10-52-10 . My area was not used for 10 yrs as some construction was on . Only weeds and poppy was growing .
I intend to grow only vegetables leafy then root