Viewing post #305461 by Patti1957

dottie said:There are so many suppliers of heirloom tomato seeds these days, and I have never had trouble with any of them. I like to save my own seeds each year so that I don't have to keep buying the same kind and can use my money for trying out new varieties, and if properly cleaned and stored, they last for a long time. Unfortunately, the heirloom seeds and plants are often more expensive than those of regular tomatoes, but there's really no valid reason for it. An heirloom tomato has as many or as few seeds as other tomatoes - it just depends on the variety - and they are as easy to grow as any other tomatoes. I agree that the heirloom taste better and have more interesting names, and that's what I always grow, but I think sometimes the public is duped into thinking they are getting a bargain when they pay $3.50 for one tomato plant just because it is labeled "heirloom."

I do think that seeds of certain varieties can be limited for some companies as well as the home gardener depending on production. This could be a reason for increased price. I grow many varieties every year but usually only two plants of each variety so if something happens to both plants I am out of luck for saving seeds of that variety. This season I had to pull both of my Earl Faux due to Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus so no seeds from that variety this year.

I find that the Hybrid seed is more expensive and that is probably because the seed can't be saved and they have to put more work into creating it.

I don't purchase tomato or pepper plants so I don't know anything about the difference in cost between a hybrid and a heirloom. I will pay more attention next year.