Head Gardener - Seeds, Seeds, Seeds

What’s the difference between open-pollinated, hybrid and heirloom seeds?

This time of year, we all get the urge to start seeds.

  The local nurseries have several seed companies to choose from, most seed companies offer     online ordering and our local Seedy Saturday events are ramping up.

Open Pollinated Seeds (OP)

When two plants of the same variety produce offspring, the variety is known as open pollinated. Provided plants are prevented from crossing with other varieties, OP varieties produce seed that are true-to-type. This means the plants grown from these seeds will be similar (though not the same—they are not clones) to their parent.They are pollinated naturally by birds, insects, wind or human hands. As pollination between plants is not strictly controlled, OP varieties are fairly genetically diverse so tend to show greater variation. Cucurbits are prone to cross-pollination, resulting in weird looking crosses. Over time, breeders have produced newer strains of OP varieties, selecting for better uniformity. Heirloom varieties are OP strains that have been saved from generation to generation, usually cherished for their flavour and history. In general, they have not been as carefully selected for particular traits so may exhibit more variation.

The benefit of OP varieties is that you can save your own seed which reduces costs and share with friends and the local seed exchange events.These seeds will produce plants that gradually adapt to our local growing conditions and climate.

Hybrid Seeds (F1 or F2)

F1 hybrid seeds are produced by carefully controlled cross pollination of two distinct OP varieties within the same species. Plants grown from F1 hybrid seeds will tend to have desirable characteristics from both of its parents and be more reliable and uniform. The label F1 denotes that the plant is a first-generation hybrid variety. In general, F1 hybrid seeds are intentionally created for particular favourable traits, such as resistance to diseases, earlier maturity, or uniformity. The plants also tend to show “hybrid vigour” and will be more productive and vigorous. F2 hybrids are the offspring of a F1 hybrid variety, pollinated by hand or natural means—they are the result of seeds saved from an F1 plant. Plants grown from F2 hybrid seeds are usually less vigorous and productive compared to F1 hybrids. They are also inconsistent and not true-to-type—they may not retain the desirable traits of its parent. Hybrid plants hold up well in shipping, making them more desirable for commercial growers.

I personally like to try all types of seeds, but for seed saving purposes, I grow mostly OP and heirloom varieties.

Our West Coast seeds have arrived, drop in and take a look. Shop early for best selection.

See you in the garden,