Germination capacity

Our quality begins with seed production

At Benjis Seeds, we aim to achieve the highest possible germination rate for our seeds. That is why we combine the careful selection of our varieties with regular germination testing. After harvest, we also take care to process the seeds gently and store them under suitable conditions to preserve their quality.

Some of our seeds are produced by us, while others are sourced from partner growers in Europe. When producing seeds, we work with our growers to select healthy, vigorous plants that display the typical characteristics of their variety. The seeds are only harvested once they are sufficiently mature. We also place particular importance on traceable provenance and verified quality.

Helle Maissamen sind herzförmig auf weißem Hintergrund angeordnet.

Regular germination testing

We test samples of our seeds for germination. We observe whether the seeds germinate under suitable conditions and produce normally developed seedlings. Our tests follow the testing rules of the ISTA, the International Seed Testing Association. As germination capacity changes during storage, we repeat these checks at regular intervals and also carry out plant health tests and growing trials.

Sowing and storage guidance

Our seed packets and variety descriptions provide sowing guidance for each variety. This helps ensure that the conditions are suited to the plant species, as even seeds with good germination capacity require suitable temperatures, moisture and the correct sowing depth.

The harvest date and the “Viability” information on the seed packet provide guidance on how long the seeds are expected to remain viable when stored under suitable conditions. Storage recommendations and an explanation of this information can be found on our seed storage page. Detailed sowing instructions are available in our Garden guide.

Questions about germination?

If sowing does not go as expected, Benji is personally available to help via chat. The variety name, the harvest date on the seed packet and a brief description of how the seeds were sown help to identify possible causes. Questions about germination time or any required pretreatment can also be discussed there.