On 2014-01-09 12:19:06 +0000, Emery Davis said:

On Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:57:47 +0000, Janet wrote:

In article ,
says...

On Wed, 08 Jan 2014 23:37:27 +0000, Janet wrote:

There isn't on the page, although there may be hidden somewhere else
on the site. But even so, they're advertising the award of garden
merit for something that most definitely didn't win it!


? The RHS website shows it has won an AGM

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=29

Janet

Yes, I know 'Osakasuki' won it,

which is what the advert said. So that part was not misleading.


Here's what the advert says:

On the top is the parent name. To the right, below the price is the
following text:

"A glorious variety with soft green, usually seven-lobed leaves, often
with pink-tinged margins, that in autumn turn a blazing scarlet. An added
attraction are the scarlet keys that during the summer dangle beneath the
foliage. Hardy throughout the British Isles. Packet of 12 seeds."

Just below this is the AGM symbol.

You honestly don't find that this description and the AGM are intended to
be seen as applying to the seeds they're selling? Neither is accurate.


but its offspring did not. Nor will they
much resemble the plant that won the AGM.

It's possible the seller is unaware of that, but you could correct
them; or if you think it's a deliberate deception and misuse of the RHS
award, inform the RHS.

If the seller doesn't know that woody plant cultivars are propagated
clonally then they're in the wrong business. That would be astonishing
(but possible). Even wiki/cultivar has text to this effect: "In general,
asexually propagated cultivars grown from seeds produce highly variable
seedling plants, and should not be labelled with, or sold under, the
parent cultivar's name." (This comes from the RHS apparently, it's well
known in the nursery business).

So to answer the original question, Janet, you don't believe this is
unethical practice?

-E

I'd drop them a friendly email saying that you've been growing these
for years and wonder if they're aware that they don't come true from
seed. It may be genuine ignorance on their part, or it may be a
deliberate attempt to mislead but either way, they'll see that it's
been picked up. If you or a member of your family, have a Twitter or
Fb account you could also issue a warning there, without naming the
sellers, of course but just stating you've seen this ad and that the
plants cannot be grown from seed and turn out to be what is claimed for
them.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon