Andy, yes, genetics do enter into it as do the conditions under which the seeds were formed and the conditions under which they are expected to germinate. I guess if you do it inside or under glass, you may be able to replicate the conditions from year to year. I do it outside, and though I use the same tables in the same place with the same soil and methods, the weather is never the same when the seed form nor when they germinate. I frequently see wide swings in germination from the same crosses year after year. It’s also something I’ve frequently read others experiencing. Kim
Hi Andy.
That’s a great thing to ponder about!
IMO, there are soooooo many variables, even for the same cross it would not really be normal to be getting the same sort of results with each batch.
There are factors in the genetics as you suggest, in the health and maybe even the “state of dormancy” of the embryo/seed batch, predatory grubs inside the seed itself, infections in the seed/embryo, grubs in the sowing media, physical differences between sowing media over time, and even water quality over time etc etc.
Don’t worry!