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Seeds saved from a hybrid variety can be saved and replanted, but they won’t “grow true” to the original parent plant. 

Hybrids are a cross between two purebred lines. For example, a plant breeder might cross one variety of squash having good color with another having good taste with the goal of creating a second generation plant having both desirable traits. Seeds saved from a first generation hybrid (F1) and replanted will produce a second generation hybrid (F2) which lacks the vigor of its parent and may show some of the undesirable characteristics of the two pure varieties crossed to produce that parent. 

Heirloom or open-pollinated seeds are the only ones that can be saved and replanted to reproduce a copy of the original plant. 

— Roger Doiron, contributing editor

Comments

  • vonhold_r 5/7/2008 9:30:08 AM

    I am interested in raising heirloom seed for distribtion in our
    local area. I picture difficult days ahead and locally available
    reproducable seed will be an important element in sustaning our
    community. I want to raise chia seed for my own personal use and
    for distribution. I believe it can augment the ntritional
    availability in our food supply. I read years ago about the "French
    Intensive Method" of gardening. At the time I had a house. My lot
    was deep enough that I could section off a 40' x 40' area to
    garden, and used those techniques with impressive results. I have
    not had a garden now for many years. I am however looking to
    purchase some fallow land. I plan to build 5 foot wide raised,
    straw mulched beds. Please make some suggestions. Reed

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