Bonehead said:I've never been clear on what criteria determines an 'heirloom' so I just go with either 'hybrid' or 'open-pollinated' (which also means saved seed will come true). How does one determine if a hybrid is stable or not? I've had good luck with (for example) Sun Sugar tomatoes until the last two years when the taste has taken a definite down-turn. Not nearly as sweet.
F1's Hybrids only grow true when you plant them. They do not breed true in subsequent generations.
Open Pollinated is supposed to mean; An Heirloom or stabilized Inbred Hybrid line has been isolated together with others of identical genetics. All of which breed true to seed. And were allowed to self pollinate and even cross pollinate to produce seed.
Open Pollinated F1 hybrids do not breed true. That is, the F1 itself which is marketable because it produces a consistent fruit or vegetable every time. Seeds saved from those fruit or vegetables do not breed true.
This is why I do not buy F1 Hybrids from eBay sellers who produce their own seed. A seller who buys bulk seeds or who is the original maker and sells on eBay, Yes. But not from backyard gardeners who have no idea that the seeds produced from such fruits and vegetables will produce something different than what they grew and ate.
