Viewing post #1926895 by thisisme2

Baja_Costero said:

An F1 hybrid is stable if the subsequent generations of interbreeding resemble it. These generations are called F2, F3 and so forth. The offspring of an F1 plant crossed with another F1 plant is F2. If the F2 generation resembles the F1 generation, the hybrid is stable. Over many generations of interbreeding (each season would be one iteration) there is quite a bit of shaking of the genetic dice, and many opportunities for some of the offspring to change. I suspect that much of the F1 hybrid seed available for sale out there is known not to breed true, which helps insure its money-making ability down the road.

I don't disagree but want to clarify.

It does happen but it's rare that an F2 generation from an F1 Hybrid will universally breed true to the F1. When this does happen. It's not a hit or miss thing and it is well known. And those that are known to be stable from the start with all of the subsequent generations breeding true. Are not called F1's even if they in fact are. They are usually called a stable/stabilized Hybrid or if breeding is necessary to get to that point they are called an Inbred line.

However many F1's that consistently produce like offspring when planted seam to be resistant to being stabilized through inbreeding.