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Chester Co., PA

As a result of the recent seed trading swindle and judging by the growing popularity of this hobby, it seems that some method of labeling seeds needs to be devised. I had been experimenting with labeling seeds before the scandal broke. There is a picture posted on the gallery. My methods were to write directly on the seed or on a coating of 'White-out' applied first. Labeling is sensitive because we are dealing with a live seed. After storage, a germination test will be done to see if the labeling chemicals damaged the seed.

Anyway, do you folks have any ideas? How can we stop the cheaters and secure against counterfeiting and copying labels?

1/21/2002 2:10:46 PM

Ankeny, Iowa

I have an idea! I think that a grower should write a special code on his or her seeds and tell everyone the code so that no one else has the same code! Also so that it will not be easy for a person to counter fit that growers seeds. These are some (Exaples) of the codes i have in mind. 00209 , 0!23% etc I hope this helps!

1/21/2002 3:56:24 PM

Ga.

Guys,,some growers already label their seed by marking on them...Good ideas ,,

1/21/2002 4:37:40 PM

Connecticut

I think that might work if if doesn't become to confusing, but after viewing the seeds that I have I have found that many have specific traits, which could be used to distinguish them.

1/21/2002 4:40:55 PM

Indiana

That is not really a possible thing for many people that dont have the time. Can you imagine labeling seeds for 400 or more seed requests like the Hollands, Momberts, Hesters, Kuhns, and many others have? If you have the time, it is a great idea. If not, it is not possible.
Tom Beachy

1/21/2002 4:43:16 PM

Western Pa.

After removing the thin, wax papery film from the dried seeds, you can write on them with ink.(This also reduces number of seed envelopes you need.) The only real way to stamp out fraud is to "rat out" the rats, which seems to be working, and to deal personally with the grower. Most growers would not shame themselves by giving out bogus seed. Kinda like "adding weight to the pumpkin", these kind of things leave you "open" to be shunned for life.

kilr

1/21/2002 4:53:25 PM

canal winchester ohio

Tom's right it would be impossible, say you had 5 fruit over 600 lbs & they all had at least 500 seeds. Who here would want to mark on 2500 seeds? And 1st prize, your also right Seeds have a certain look small white,large white,tan, ect.
The bottom line is just be careful & KNOW the people your dealing with & there will be no problem. And a idea I heard from another grower is you mark your seed pacs. For example if you recieved seeds from Jim Kuhn mark on your pac " seed obtained from Jim Kuhn" so if you trade it you can tell the person you are trading with you got it from Jim.
And also say I make a trade with Tom Beachy for one of Jim's seed. Well Tom tells me he got the seed from Jim, so on the pac I mark obtained in a trade from Tom B. who recieved it from Jim Kuhn...
That's not to confusing is it?.............Paul

1/21/2002 5:07:21 PM

Indiana

Perfect Paul! Records help keep things from getting messed up.
Tom Beachy

1/21/2002 6:13:22 PM

canal winchester ohio

It's not my idea, it was passed to me by a good friend ( thanks Glen) but I thought it might apply here......

1/21/2002 6:16:25 PM

LaRue & Hester already # their seed, I have in the past contacted Brett re a seed trade I made. When I gave him the #, he told me who he had sent it to, then I knew it was legit. I'm doing the same with my 945's this year. Smaller ones are just being marked with weight on one side & Van on the other. All seed sent large or small are recorded & can be checked by contacting grower. Haven't seen a better system as yet but open to all ideas.

1/21/2002 7:11:12 PM

Western NY

I labeled the seeds from my 785 this year, but for a different reason. I saved the seeds seperately, depending on which segment they came from . I know where all of my seeds went. If you're thinking about marking your seeds this year, the best way is with one of those special markers they use to label CD-R's. It works a lot better than a ball point pen.

andy

1/21/2002 7:43:53 PM

Eagan,Minnesota

Numbering the seed would be great......it would also be fast! Chris

1/22/2002 7:14:14 PM

Eagan,Minnesota

Once the number gets to big.....Then you could put a letter in front G4000...Chris

1/22/2002 7:16:46 PM

Greencastle, PA

Maybe assign numbers, that way you only know the number if you get the seed, that way one can't "counterfit" a seed by putting the number on because they wouldn't know it.
Tom

1/22/2002 8:21:06 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Tom
Whats to say I dont take the real seed you send me and make imposters, number it and trade it. People just have to remain honest and ask questions to ensure they are not getting something fake.

1/23/2002 12:43:54 AM

Webster, NY

Rainydays, I think you are right. Since I have been involved in this hobby there have been only two people that have not been totally honest and upfront about things. So far, the odds are pretty good that the people you deal with will be fine. when you find someone that is dishonest, or suspect, you stop dealing with them. Hopefully, you don't get taken to the cleaners before you find out.

1/23/2002 7:48:24 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

the packaging is the ticket, something unique from the grower, if the package is open, the seed has the same value as those store bought seeds or you are willing to take the risk.

1/23/2002 10:00:43 AM

Webster, NY

I've seen some people make fancy computer labels (ie, bigpumpkins.com). That may be a way of marking the package, with your own signiture label.

1/23/2002 11:27:36 AM

Utah

that would certainly help... but you'd have to individualy
package each seed- which is do-able...
but i think that no matter what you do- someone could
forgde, fake, or otherwise cheat others. which is
too bad.

1/23/2002 6:23:34 PM

Greencastle, PA

Rainydays,
One could do that by copying others. The labels would work, but as far as opened packages I open mine when they come to check for damage. Gordon is right though, someone will always find a way to fake it, but the signiture labels would help.
Tom

1/23/2002 10:31:31 PM

Rush, NY

My vote is to trust growers and "do as we have been doing". However, I could agree (If necessary) to Label seeds as Bret Hester does. Even then, anyone who chooses to lie, cheat, fake. etc. will find a way to do it. Those who do it will almost always get caught. So, Lets not complicate "exchanging seeds".

1/24/2002 7:37:58 AM

Chester Co., PA

The LaRue-Hester method described by Bill Van sounds the most fool-proof to me.

And Paul, if I had 5 pumpkins over 600 lbs. each, I'd have to pinch myself to see if it was a dream.

1/25/2002 4:47:28 PM