Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about seed
Q: How many seeds are in the small packets?
A: This varies with the cost and size of the seed. There may be only a few seeds in each packet for Genera like Banksias and Hakeas, while for fine-seeded cheap Genera like Callistemon and Melaleuca, there may be hundreds. Please contact us for more specific information.
Q: How many seeds can I expect to get per gram?
A: This varies because seeds come in all shapes and sizes. We are in the process of adding such information to our product pages, but it is a large undertaking. It must also be recognised that seed counts can vary from batch to batch. For more specific information, please contact us.
Q: What sort of germination rates can I expect?
A: This will always vary, from species to species and batch to batch, but we can give you some ideas if you tell us which species you are interested in.
Q: Do the packets come with growing instructions and/or pictures?
A: No, our packets are packaged simply, but we can often direct you to websites or books for such information.
Q: What if the seed doesn't grow?
A: By describing your conditions for germination, we can often tell if it environmental factors or seed factors are to blame. Also, we generally know which species should be easy to grow, and which aren't. If we need to, we can contact other growers to find out their results, and we can also arrange for the seedlot/s to be tested. If we find that our seedlot is of lower viability than what we consider to be normal for the species, we will be happy to replace with seed from a different batch. If this is not available we will usually offer a refund.
Q: What does 'Pre-treatment' mean?
A: Some seed requires treatment prior to sowing. The purpose of this is to break the natural dormancy of the seed. Common methods include hot water treatment, scarifying, smoking and cold stratification. More information can be found here
Q: Can I find out the provenance of the seed?
A: We can provide provenance information, usually nearest town or locality, but we don't have records for all. Also, some seed is collected from cultivated plants, and thus the original provenance may be unknown. It is best if you ask before ordering, but you can also ask later on by providing the batch numbers. Sorry, we don't provide provenance information for small packets.
Questions about ordering
Q: How do I place my order?
A: You can order via the shopping cart system on this website, or by the following methods: phone, fax or email.
Q: How big does my order have to be?
A: Your order must be at least $20.00 excluding GST/Surchage & delivery costs.
Q: I have a long list of species and it would be easier to email this instead of going through the shopping cart - is this acceptable?
A: Yes, particularly if the order is mainly for small packets. While the shopping cart system can eliminate errors and provide the order in a format we can process efficiently, we recognise it is not always the easiest method to use.
Questions about payments
Q: Can I pay by Paypal?
A: Sorry, we do not accept Paypal at the moment. We are currently looking into the possibility.
Q: Can I enter my credit card details via this website?
A: Sorry, we do not have a secure method of credit card transferral via this website. We hope to offer this in the future. In the meantime, we ask for credit card details via other methods which are more secure.
Q: What is the 'best' payment method?
A: The best method for Australian customers is direct deposit/EFT, but credit cards can be processed quicker. The best method for International customers is credit card, because direct deposits incur a $20 charge to cover currency conversion fees.
Questions about order processing & delivery
Q: How long will it take for my order to be processed?
A: It depends on how large your order is, but usually between one day and one working week.
Q: How long will it take for my parcel to be delivered?
A: It depends on where we are sending the parcel, and which delivery method is chosen. Carriers such as Australia Post have websites that can provide such information, and we can usually give some helpful indication.
Q: What delivery method is standard?
A: For domestic customers, we generally choose regular parcel post for items weighing up to 500g, and express post for items weighing up to 5kg. Express Post satchels are chosen because they are often of little or no extra cost, and provide a better service. For international customers, standard Airmail is chosen by default. Please note that you must indicate services such as registered mail and insurance if some level of parcel security is required. Once we despatch the parcel correctly, it becomes the property of the official carrier and recipient.
For information on finding seeds, placing orders and more, visit our website help page.