Nicky's Nursery Ltd..

Maybe it was just with me they thought they'd better make sure I got my stuff then.

 

Horses for courses perhaps ARMANDII? I have Musa sikkimensis seed from Jungle Seeds last year and 4 germinated (can't remember how many in a packet though ... not very many for sure).

They can take a year to germinate, and it may help if you do the 35C for 9 hours, 16C the remainder of the day, routine. No idea if that is what made the difference for me ... but I have read that 10% germination is regarded as "good"

Not sure that "floats" is an important factor for Musa? I do it for Acorns because it detects if the seeds have been hole-bored by some insect, not sure that is universally important though?

I do do the warm water thing though: put seeds in hand-hot water, and leave for the water to cool, repeat. The theory is that the heat expands the air in the seed which is then expelled, and as the air cools and contracts water is drawn into the seed in it's place.

Good luck with them though :thumb: mine grew to more than 6 feet in their first year!

 

Actually I joined Gardener's Corner specifically to complain about Nicky's Nursery and to warn other gardeners about their poor level of service. I run my own business on the Internet. I know how easy it is to acknowledge e-mails immediately and how to keep customers happy, so I have little patience with businesses that won't. I think one ignored contact is forgivable; four is a row, all to polite enquiries, is not.

 

I don't find any bad reviews on the internet about this company, and they have been existance for several years ...

however, on their website, they have the following terms and conditions:
Terms and conditions at Nickys Garden shop - gardening equipment and garden supplies

snip:
Nickys Nursery attempt to ensure that the information available on the web site at any one time is accurate. However, I cannot guarantee that it will be fault-free.

We make no representations about the fitness for a particular purpose of any of the products available on this web site. This does not affect your statutory rights as a consumer, you can find out about your statutory rights by contacting consumer direct on : 0808 156 22 56. You understand that seeds and plants are living things, and I cannot guarantee that seeds will germinate or that plants will grow and thrive, due to the length of time and the high temperatures for germination of some species, and how seeds are stored once they leave our care.
Our liability is to the value of the goods purchased, we cannot be held responsible for the resultant crops.
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and, here are some reviews on one site .... 8/8 positives
http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/368/

 

Both the points in your post are in error: You have seen a negative review on the Internet (mine: and there are a few more in this thread); and my chief complaint is about bad service: they are not bothering to respond to my four (polite) requests for replacement seeds.

 

That's worth knowing, thanks for clarifying.

 

Nicky's have been getting quite an airing on the forum and as noted a few of the comments were made some time ago.

As we all know viability of seed can never be guaranteed 100% and much depends on the variety chosen as well as the competance of the gardener. There is however a concern about the percieved customer service experienced by one or two contributors and this is something that any business should address.

I understand that business may not post on the forum, but may I suggest that one of the Moderators contact Nicky's and invite them to review this thead and make a response via the Moderator?

An unusual proposal perhaps, but it should help to clear the air.

a-a

 

Happy to answer your questions, JWK. Varieties sown in coir plugs in a heated and illuminated propagator for my greenhouse hydroponic system (I do this every year): Tomato - Costoluto Fiorentino, Baba, Golden Sunrise, Amish Paste, Gardener's Delight [Irish version], Home Momotarô; Aubergine - Kurumé Menaga, Ping Tung; Peppers - Takanotsumé, Lemon Drop, Orange Bell, Kaibi Round. Seeds are from the Real Seed Company (Pembrokeshire), Tôhoku Seeds (Japan), and Kings Seeds (Essex). All have germinated and are growing well, except for Ping Tung.

 

Excellent idea.

 

I'm not happy with the seeds I've bought from them either. I have had some of the packets germinate but the rates were pretty poor and every single ligustrum seed failed, they rotted before they germinated, I spent quite a few pounds on tree seeds and not a sign of any germination after months of in and out of the fridge. The oaks have germinated, all of them, but on the whole I feel I wouldn't want to take the risk with them again. I sowed literally hundreds of thousands of Eyebright with not a single one showing it's head! It is hard and maybe unfair but I'm human and that's my opinion, and strong enough to see what other people were thinking and strong enough to join here and post. Have I complained? No, I've written off the money for the cost of my blood pressure and this is me closing the matter.