Watch out for these labels ESPECIALLY if you save seeds | Hybrid, Heirloom, GMO vs Open Pollinated
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- We're talking about a couple of terms that you might have heard before and unpacking why they're pretty important things to know! Let's dive into OPEN-POLLINATED and HYBRID.
0:25 Open-pollinated
These are terms that you will most often see on seed packs, but you might also come across them online, in conversation, etc. so it's important to know what they mean and how it affects your garden.
You can think of "open-pollinated" as being natural. It means the wind, bees, butterflies, or other pollinators are moving the pollen from one flower to another. This opens up the door for cross-pollination.
So why does this matter?
It's especially important when you're saving seeds. As long as your varieties are kept separate, your plants are going to look the same from generation to generation. This is a really big point of emphasis if you're growing cut flowers.
2:32 Hybrid Seeds
Hybrid seeds, on the other hand, are a mix of two varieties that don't typically cross with each other. This is done manually in some way, and the benefit can be hybrid vigor. That first generation of hybrid seeds tends to grow especially well!
However, because they are a cross of two varieties, they won't necessarily be true to type (like open-pollinated would be). It's good to point out that hybrid is NOT the same as GMO. Even from the same seed pack, you might notice differences in your plants.
For most backyard gardeners, this isn't a big deal. It's fun to see genetics play out right in front of you!
6:00 GMO
This means the seeds are genetically-modified. In a lab setting, two varieties are forcefully combined & changed to produce a more desirable crop. The (sorta) good news is that GMO seeds are really only used by large agricultural corporations (because they're so expensive), so you're not going to accidentally buy a pack at your local nursery.
6:43 Choosing Hybrid vs Open-pollinated
So how do you pick what to grow? Well, it can be fun to do both, and I encourage you to experiment!
Open-pollinated varieties will tend to be unique and fun. Hyrbids have been chosen for unique qualities (ex. size or resistance to pests or disease) and are great for homesteaders or commercial growers but still entirely good for hobby gardeners. Just know that if you save hybrid seeds, your next generation may not totally look like the previous one.
7:37 Heirloom
Probably the most popular seed label term is "Heirloom" especially when talking about tomatoes. Heirloom just means they are open-pollinated varieties that have been securely looked after over generations. They have not been crossed with other varieties, so an heirloom variety that you grow might look the same as it did 50 or even 100 years ago.
If you're debating what to plant, I encourage you to plant what's going to work well in your area more than anything. Labels can help you identify that, but don't get too caught up on only buying one thing or another.
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#Gardening - Jak na to + styl
Great explanation! Short and to the point, thanks
Thank you, explains why my kid has so much hybrid vigour! :)
Good info!! Heritage is the way to go for me
Now I understand how it works. Thank you!
Thanks for the great explanation! Wish I had known more about seed types when I first started! 😁
Thank you very much for mentioning GMO crops as well. Another side note is that there are only 13 commercially available GMO crops in the USA, and probably far less than that in most countries. Like you said, they're extremely cost prohibitive. But for anyone who is interested, the crops are Alfalfa, Apple (Arctic varieties), Canola, Corn, Cotton, Eggplant (BARI Bt Begun varieties), Papaya (ringspot virus-resistant varieties), Pineapple (pink flesh varieties), Potato, Salmon (AquAdvantage), Soybean, yellow squash, Sugarbeet. I don't know all of the specific product names, but some of them are easy to find information on if you search for each GMO. In most cases they're harmless, but yeah, some are definitely questionable.
Thank you for this clear and easy to understand explanation.
thanks great info
Nicely done!
Super helpful!
Hybrids can't produce traits not found in either parent. Therefore, they'll generally take after either or both parents and give you something similar to the variety you started with. The issue is when you get open pollinated seeds and have absolutely no idea what pollinated them. Like when I started "heirloom" Kentucky Wonder pole beans from High Mowing. They started out reddish brown and looked exactly how they should. 5 years later they've doubled in bean size and vine height and are a grayish color. Either I purchased hybrid seed, or they pollinated with someone else's garden. Highly unlikely due to my location. Heirloom seeds are mostly a hippie collection racket.
Ty
I always learn so much from you! Maybe I need to try growing some veggies…..
Get out in the garden this week! :)
So what happens when you save suckers to continue the hybrid variety?
Suckers are still identical and will produce the same. They aren’t hybrid seeds. Hope this helps!
Correct.
Well explained thankyou, if I may add what I have found with hybrids. There are more sterile seeds for some reason. I saved seeds from a Vanilla Marigold once and I ended up sowing all that I saved. I tried to get them to germinate and all I grew was a handful of light gold marigold.
I believe Vanilla marigold is a triploid hybrid, so a "mule" of the plant world. A subject for another video perhaps....