I think that getting at least 50% germination is the lowest I would expect to germinate, but I typically get at least 80% of seeds germinating. Which means that 1 out of 5 may not germinate. Other times, I've gotten 100% germination. I have a pretty good track record with viable seeds germinating. I use the same method of sowing and growing them for all, so if a particular cross of seeds do not eventually germinate, then I am fairly certain it wasn't anything I did. And I do know that some seeds take much longer than others to germinate. I have waited up to 3 months for seeds to germinate and then I dug through the potting mix to find a seed or two, that were basically just the seed coating/shells .... so that tells me they were not viable. But that happens very rarely.
I have acquired seeds from trades, others sharing with me (thanks to those generous folks!!!), and from purchases on the LA. Out of all those, I have only had an issue with 1 single person who was an LA seller. So I would venture to say that the sellers on the LA are good to buy from!
