Homestead mailing list

["Karen L. Black" <karen AT plamondon.com>]

Leslie writes:

> I have read that hybrids don't reproduce "true", and therefore we should
look for non-hybrid heirloom seeds. Has anyone found this true about the
hybrids, to the point where it matters? 

Some do; some don't. Carol Deppe, in "Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties"
gives the following rule of thumb:

The crops for which hybrids show the greatest advantage over open-pollinated
varieties are those that show the largest inbreeding depression, such as
corn or brassicas. Crops that normally inbreed, or show little inbreeding
depression (i.e. tomatoes or squash), have little or no advantage.

She also found that many so-called hybrids gave seed which when planted,
grew into plants just like the parents. She found examples in tomatoes,
cucumbers and corn. She also goes through how one would "dehybridize" a
hybrid -- create a true-breeding variety with the qualities of the original
hybrid. 

"Breed Your Own Vegetable Varities" is a clear and thorough discussion of
plant genetics, and a good book for anyone who plans to save seeds.

Karen Black
Norton Creek Farm
Blodgett, OR

Visit www.NortonCreekPress.com to see our line of new and revived books on
farming and poultry.