Can seeds be sterilized by the government through shipping?

I have having trouble with my last order of beans from Attitude. The seeds will pop, start a rot then die. I have lost 7 seeds germed 3 different ways by 2 different people. I have been scanning through the forum and noticed some people are having the same problem. Any thoughts?

Thats weird are the beans being shipped with rice to keep them moist. If not they could be drying out whiich can make an all around bad seed.

If they germinated they weren't sterilized. It's the conditions they are growing in or something you're doing. Too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry. If I had to guess at either I'd say too hot and too wet.


Seeds *could* be sterilized if they passed through an radiation device. But as far as I know they only do that for mail going through DC.

Your soil could be too wet and it's rotting the delicate taproot.

when ordering wear your tin foil hat and they won't be able to sterilize your seeds. it really sounds like you might have another issue going on. how are you germing them? i hate to sound like a rapid rooter comercial but since i started using them i get 100% germ rate where before it was pretty much hit and miss.

The best way to germinate them in my opinion is to fold them in between a wet paper towel and put it in a plastic ziploc baggie and seal it up for a couple of days.

/b/ said:

The best way to germinate them in my opinion is to fold them in between a wet paper towel and put it in a plastic ziploc baggie and seal it up for a couple of days.

Click to expand...

This is by far the worst possible method and should only be used with seeds of uncertain viability. I still don't prefer it then but will do it simply to keep from wasting time, effort, and supplies in something that's no good. If you're buying seeds or harvesting them from smoke age shouldn't be a question.

Paper towels require a lot more effort to get right. Fungus, mold, dry out too quick, have to disturb the seed to check them.... the list goes on and on.

jester1989 said:

Thats weird are the beans being shipped with rice to keep them moist. If not they could be drying out whiich can make an all around bad seed.

Click to expand...

LOL! First of all rice wouldn't keep your seeds moist if anything they would act as a desiccant (a substance that induces or sustains a state of dryness). Second, you want seeds to be dry.