I'm trying to compile a list of quality seed producers. Specifically producers of various flower seeds. Organic preferred but at this point I'm just trying to familiarize myself with any and all well known producers dealing in large quantities.

Thanks in advance!

https://www.jelitto.com Jelitto, based in Germany but has a U.S. office. I only buy the smaller packet home gardener seeds, but everything has germinated and I'm pretty happy with them, You can see from the copyright on photos that Swallowtail resells a lot of their seed and I believe it's where Annies Annuals gets some of theirs (based on my not being able to find seed for certain cultivars anywhere else). A note with my order told me it had been hung up in U.S. customs for a few weeks. Shipping is not fast. But if you plan and have time, they're great. Price in euros, so watch the exchange rate. Also, some of the hybrid seed is VERY pricey (like $18 a small packet). I stuck to things about $3 per packet. Most there is very reasonable, just pay attention to pricing.

I expect a lot of folks will answer you with seed SUPPLIERS - some have trial gardens but it doesn't mean they produce the seed. Stokes Seed is a distributor (not producer), mainly to the trade. But, if you're more looking for commercial quantities of seed than producers of seed, you might want to also check them out.

Should add - MANY seed producers are in Asia. Some packets now have "country of origin" you can check out (required in Canada, so on Stokes Seeds packets, Park Seed packet, but not on Baker Creek packets). Particularly, F1 hybrids (so the seed is always a first generation from 2 different stable parents, manpower intensive) is pretty much all produced in Asia.

barefootgardenz said:I'm trying to compile a list of quality seed producers. Specifically producers of various flower seeds.

It used to be that the seed sellers were also the seed producers, but nowadays your seed catalogs are just retail sales companies, who procure their seeds from growers who actually "produce" the seeds. I am amused to see a seed catalog list a variety as an "exclusive" when the very same variety is available in a competitive catalog.

I am also amused that all of the seed catalogs now advertise that all of their seeds are "non-GMO". If I wanted to buy some GMO seeds, I have no idea where that would be. They just as well could advertise that all of their seeds are "non-voodoo-cursed".

ZM

Many of the old smaller seed producers and retailers have been swallowed up by larger corporations recently.
I do like Jellito too, and have been happy with my purchases there.
My favorite seed aquisition method is to get seeds from other gardeners in swaps. I like the NARGS seed swap for alpines and perennials.