The Kokopelli Association, spearheading the fight to preserve biodiversity, has been distributing free, reproducible seeds for over 20 years. These varieties offer the gardeners who grow them food whose nutritional values and taste qualities far surpass those of agro-industrial varieties.agro-industry varieties - which offer only the homogeneity and stability required for industrialized agriculture.

Where do seeds come from?

Production

Our seeds are produced by a network of some thirty certified organic growers, two-thirds of whom are based in France. The others, located in Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Germany and the United States, are, like many of our French growers, long-standing partners of the association, which has been working alongside us since the very beginning!

The date and value of the germination rate, the geographical origin and the batch number are printed on the back of the sachets. For the same variety, this information may vary from batch to batch.

Arrival

Melon seeds from Lunéville, produced at the Kokopelli Farm

On receipt of each batch of seeds (corresponding to the production of one variety by one grower, over one growing season), its contents are meticulously checked. Sometimes, for example, it may not be sufficiently dried, sorted or cleaned. In such cases, to facilitate the quality control stages, it first passes through the hands of our sorting team. Very often, we receive batches that can go straight on to the germination test phase.

How are germination tests carried out?

Germination rate

Germination rate - germinative capacity under favorable conditions and at a given time - is systematically measured on arrival of the batch, using tests to guarantee seed quality. If the batch has not been used up during the current year, new tests will be carried out every year, or as soon as a drop in germination rate is suspected.

If a minimum legal rate, expressed as a percentage per vegetable species, is defined in Annex II of Council Directive2002/55/EC, published in the Official Journal of the European Communities, the Kokopelli Association is committed to obtaining rates well above the legal minimum.

The minimum legal rate for Aubergines is 65%. At Kokopelli, a rate of over 85% is required for this species.

Procedure - Germination tests

A sample of around one hundred seeds is taken at random from each batch. For most varieties, the seeds are placed on a blotting paper in a Petri dish with controlled humidity, temperature and light levels. Every two days, these dishes are examined to record the number of seeds that have germinated. Depending on the species, germination will require more specific conditions. This is the case, for example, with beet, chard, lamb's lettuce, spinach and most medicinal plants, which need to be covered to a greater or lesser extent with water.This is the case, for example, with Beetroot, Chard, Lamb's lettuce, Spinach and most Medicinal plants, which need to be more or less covered with a substrate to germinate, or Echinacea, which requires a prior period of cold (freezing).

Pepper seed germination test - observation of staggered emergence over time

At the end of this study, if the tests are not satisfactory, a return to the first cleaning stage will be carried out in order to eliminate any empty seeds that may have interfered with the germination capacity of the batch. A new test will then be carried out.

The test result of the batch thus obtained will be affixed to the back of the sachets. If the batch does not achieve the expected result, even after repeated sorting, it will not be sold.

The germination rate of a species is limited by a natural threshold, so it's important to know how a plant is reproduced. Arroche, for example, will naturally produce a large quantity of seeds to compensate for its lower germination capacity. In these particular cases, we offer generously-supplied bags to ensure a sufficient number of plants for a family garden.

Comparative table of minimum germination capacities required by Directive 2002/55/CE * and those required by Kokopelli for some vegetable species.

* Council Directive 2002/55/EC of June 13, 2002 on the marketing of vegetable seed, published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

In spite of everything, we're experiencing a problem with lifting, why?

Seed emergence time

While seed emergence depends on a multitude of factors relating to each of the many existing species and to sowing conditions, patience is needed to avoid jumping to the conclusion of failure. Often, a few extra days will give the seeds the time they need to germinate.

For example, in ideal conditions, Radish will germinate in 3 or 4 days, whereas Leek and Carrot may take more than 3 weeks. Some varieties may germinate several days later than others, even if sown at the same time.

We don't mention this time on our packets, as it depends on sowing conditions.

Some seeds, such as Quinoa, can germinate as soon as they are harvested and come into contact with the slightest moisture. Other species, notably certain flowers, need a long period in the cold to lift their dormancy. Eggplant seeds, for their part, prefer a stay in the freezer to ensure a high germination rate. Bell pepper seeds only wake up when the ambient temperature is around 25°C, and even appreciate being watered with slightly lukewarm water...

Germination time

Germination time can also be a factor in failure. The seeds of every species have a defined optimum longevity, beyond which the germination rate may fall. This period is generally expressed as an average, as too much precision would be contradicted by nature; living things are unpredictable and have no expiration date! These averages can vary considerably depending on storage conditions.

For parsnips, for example, the best-before date is around 6 months (seeds harvested in spring must be replanted in autumn), while for tomatoes it can be over 10 years.

Storage

Seeds should ideally be stored in a dark place, at a low temperature and low humidity. At Kokopelli, seeds are stored at a temperature of around 12°C and a humidity level of less than 50%. To preserve the germinative capacity of seeds over the years, you can also freeze them in an airtight container.

Other causes

There are other reasons why it can be difficult to sow seeds successfully:

- seeds simply disappear. Some animals (rodents, birds, etc.) are happy to eat them as soon as you've sown your seed. If in doubt, be sure to check!

- damping-off. This cryptogamic disease (caused by a fungus) generally attacks seedlings, but can, in some cases, attack the seed directly. In this case, nothing grows!

- disappearance of seedlings. Some seeds sprout very quickly. Young seedlings can be swallowed up by slugs and other gastropods just as quickly, before the unfortunate gardener has had time to observe the catastrophe! In case of doubt, an investigation in search of the seeds is essential...

Living seeds!

Depending on storage conditions, sowing methods and other factors, some seeds may fail to germinate. The association can work with you to find the cause of the problem, so that you can get better results from your next sowing and help you on the road to seed autonomy!

Lettuce emergence at Karine's, a seed grower in the Creuse region of France.

If you still have doubts about the quality of your seeds, please fill in our complaints form. The incriminated batch will be tested again and, if this test does not offer the expected results, new seeds will be sent to you or, in the absence of another batch for this variety, you will be reimbursed.