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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] RE: Hybrid versus open pollinated

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  • From: Dcimmarr AT aol.com
  • To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] RE: Hybrid versus open pollinated
  • Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2002 18:03:29 EST

I agree with Bob from Sunny Meadow Farm. Don't give up on the idea of Heirloom Tomatoes (OP).
     This past year, I had a trial of 100 different varieties out at a research farm and they did extremely well. Our summer was dry and hot, we used trickle irrigation under plastic mulch and the tomatoes overall didn't have any more disease problems than the hybrids. Aside from the trial, Ive been growing OP tomatoes for about ten years now. I do grow some hybrids, but most of what I grow are heirlooms. I haven't found disease to be a major problem. If you are already having a major problem with disease in your fields, then maybe heirlooms are not the way to go. If not, Id suggest trying one or two varieties and judge for yourself at the end of the growing season. Each growing area may have its own microclimate where wind, rain, air movement can all play a factor for disease problems.

Denise Cimmarrusti
University Of Illinois Extension
Master Gardener
Kane County    



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