A couple of times the seeds I've bought have been "de-tailed" -- and didn't have that handle.

And, like Eric, I've never planted them "like a dart," either... whether it's in 6-packs in a flat, or direct sowing in the garden.

Since marigolds are grown in grade-school classrooms, I think as long as they aren't buried so deeply that they just can't emerge they are pretty foolproof!

Seeds or bulbs planted sideways or upside down will still try to grow the right way. The problem with bulbs, though is that they are often several inches below ground, so if they expend energy trying to make a 180-degree turn, that could hurt the plant a lot. Now I don't know if that could go another season...I know some bulbs seem to reposition themselves at a certain depth so they might right themselves up too.

But for seeds which are often just 1/8 or 1/4" below the ground, they will probably be OK if not planted the right way. Case in point is how we often drop tomato or pepper seeds into a seed tray. Generally it will fall flat but it could fall in some other way. It will still grow OK.

Scratch soil open.
Toss seeds.
Cover.
Water.

Some seeds it can make a difference of direction. Most - not so.

If I can determine where the Radicle is, I point that portion down. On larger seeds, it is fairly easy. For smaller seeds - usually hard.

Even if you plant a seed upside down, the parts figure out which way to go.

Mother Nature usually distributes seeds in a myriad of "directions".

I just re-planted some Iron Cross Oxalis today (they were stacked pretty high in their little 6 inch pot). I started putting them point up/roots down but it was the end of the day and I was tired. I tossed the last 3/4 into the new bigger pot and covered them with dirt. I'm not sure how they fell - point up or point down or point heading west.

I will let you know how they fare.

Daisy

Gee, when planting seeds of any flowers or veggies, just "sow and go" is my method. Bulbs have a reason to do the root side down....but if, on rare occasion, they are not obvious, thenI just put them in sideways and let nature take over.

Ginni