Penny pinchers

[Brengirl]

F1 cucumber seeds are soooooooo expensive but I begrudgingly bought a packet of mini cues. I lost all 4 through meeces. Yesterday I gritted my teeth and put economy to one side and bought yet another packet of King's F1 Cucino (4 seeds). I only got 3 seeds.
What would tell the retailer or have a go at Kings?

[Nicos]

Did it say 3 seeds on the outdide of the packet???

If it did and you missed it- then I'm afraid it's tough luck.

If it says nothing then I'd contact Kings. Either 3 is the norm or it was a faulty pack!

[Flummery]

F1s are ludicrously expensive. I was looking at cukes last year and for something like £3.99 I could get 4 seeds. I found a nursery selling the same type as plants for 50p each. I bought one plant.

This year I'm not bothering with F1s. I got a brilliant yield from Marketmore last year and I'm trying Crystal whatsit this year.

[Brengirl]

Did it say 3 seeds on the outdide of the packet???

If it did and you missed it- then I'm afraid it's tough luck.

If it says nothing then I'd contact Kings. Either 3 is the norm or it was a faulty pack!

I clearly states 4 seeds Nicos but feel embarassed to complain


I do like to mini cues Flum. I plan to give any succesful plants to my grandkids for lunch boxes. I have also bought the Crystal Lemon. Never tried it before what's it like.

[Flummery]

We grew one many years ago. We actualy grew it on the compost heap! It produced loads of small apple sized (I think it was called crystal apple then in fact) fruits. They needed peeling - and I don't usually peel a cuke, but worth it for the size and taste.

[Nicos]

I clearly states 4 seeds Nicos but feel embarassed to complain

Then I'd phone them up- they may have hundreds of packets with only 3 in them!!!

As you said- they're not cheap!

just think of yourself as their quality controller

[Lovage]

Last year on impulse I bought outdoor cucumber seed from Lidl for 39p
I grew about 10 plants, gave most away and planted 2. They gave us about 10 cucumbers a week all summer. We had many cucumber salads with sour cream and chives not just a few slices with a mixed salad.
I've grown 10 again this year and still have half the packet left - thats what I call value

[Jeanied]

Sounds like they owe you at least 70p, Brengirl! That's a whole packet of cheaper seeds! Go on, have a moan at them - and tell them you are telling all on the Vine!

[Brengirl]

I think I will. After all I am put out and they do owe me. Will do tomorrow.

[ChrisG]

Checked my (empty) T & M packet says 'average 4 seeds', so some lucky blighter will have five!!

Seriously, if all three do well you will have more than enough, I grew them last year and they were fabulous, tasty and just the right size to munch on whilst pottering.

[Alison]

I bought some cucs from Kings last year (think they were Passandra) which clearly stated 4 seeds and like Bren, there were only 3 in the packet. I e-mailed them to complain and they sent me another packet (4 this time) and some other random seeds within a couple of days. OK so they should have got it right in the first place but they recovery was good. I'd recomend that you send a nice polite mail / phone and see what happens. Bit suspicious now though that this is a common theme which might save a lot of money for them over time........ Having said that, I do like Kings, they've served me well over the year and are much better value than some other suppliers and I do like the fact that I'm buying from a proper UK supplier so will continue to support them.

[nomis]

Nothing worse than being short changed! I've planted a lot of different things this year....but...

By far the worse were these "summer sun squash" I tried. 12 seeds per pack I guess is not too bad for 3 quid. I planted 6 and only 1 sprouted!!

Contrasted with the Zephyr Squash from the same supplier, where 5 out of 6 sprouted its quite abysmal.

[Welsh Wizard]

Premier Seeds Direct sold me 70 Marketmore seeds for 99p plus P+P. Nearly a quid per seed is daft, no F1 cuke is that much better than open pollinated!

[binley100]

My Pkt of F1 Cucs from kings had 4 seeds that all germinated then curled up their toes. So I bought a cheap packet from Lidls .....so far so good they're all growing their second leaves. I know what I'll use in future. Likewise my F1 leeks and F1 courgettes have had poor germination compared to everyday seeds.

[COMPOST CORNER]

I think f1 cukes are worth it, because I'd be guaruteed to miss a male flower and end up with inedible fruits.