So someone planted the mystery seeds...

[Ausmumof3]

https://www.unilad.co.uk/news/arkansas-man-planted-mystery-seeds-delivered-from-china-to-grow-massive-unstoppable-fruit/?source=facebook
 

they look like some kind of gourd type thing 

[Jean in Newcastle]

Looks like Chinese squash?

https://www.producemarketguide.com/produce/chinese-squash

[Arcadia]

44 minutes ago, Ausmumof3 said:

 

they look like some kind of gourd type thing 

Winter gourd (more commonly called winter melon)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wax_gourd

 available in many Asian supermarkets 

[Ausmumof3]

Just now, Arcadia said:

Winter gourd (more commonly called winter melon)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wax_gourd

 available in many Asian supermarkets 

Yes!  I think I have seen them mostly called winter melon here.

[Carol in Cal.]

I don't know why anyone would assume that there is only one kind of seed being sent around.

[Ausmumof3]

2 minutes ago, Carol in Cal. said:

I don't know why anyone would assume that there is only one kind of seed being sent around.

Yeah you’re right there’s lots of different ones that I’ve seen which is why it’s most likely just the thing where they mail stuff to get good ratings and not some kind of agricultural weapon or something.  I was just interested to see what some of them were.

[Arcadia]

3 minutes ago, Ausmumof3 said:

Yes!  I think I have seen them mostly called winter melon here.

It’s use in Chinese soups for detoxification and nourishment. 

[El...]

I'd be interested in seeing the seeds tested for fungus, etc. Such a weird thing. 

[Carrie12345]

As someone whose property is heavily infested by stilt grass that supposedly originated by completely innocent shipping methods a hundred years ago, I sure do wish no one would plant foreign seeds outside of a lab!!!

[Jean in Newcastle]

3 minutes ago, Dreamergal said:

This looks like ash gourd or bottle gourd. You go to any Chinese or Indian store and find a version of this. They are very popular and a staple. So where are these gourds coming from if they are not grown in the US ? 

These particular seeds were sent from China and were unsolicited. 

[Guest]

Some of the photos look like citrus seeds, too. I’m guessing they shipped whatever is cheapest.
 

Although the idea that there is some kindly Chinese person mailing Americans packets of seeds in the hope of providing medicinal and nutritional support has some appeal, too :). After all, how many generations of American kids were coaxed to finish their dinner due to the starving kids in “name country here"?  

Edited August 7, 2020 by dmmetler

[pitterpatter]

I wish I would get a package so I could hurry up and plant them to get a goose that lays golden eggs. 😉

Edited August 7, 2020 by pitterpatter

[happi duck]

I read that one is pommello

[theelfqueen]

So I recieved Chinese mystery seeds... I did some reading... The USDA has been testing seeds people recieved and concluded they are lightweight harmless normal flowers, herbs and vegetables. The current consensus is that they were sent as a "brushing" scam - where online sellers can prove they sent a product to a "verified reviewer" and put fake reviews on their products. Seeds re light, cheap and get through customs efficiently apparently. 

[Terabith]

People who received seeds should change their amazon password.  

[Wheres Toto]

We actually ordered seeds that came in packages looking exactly like the ones in all these articles.   Most of ours didn't even sprout but they looked exactly like what they were supposed to be - tomatoes, squash, and peppers.