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Re: Hybrid

I'm not sure what that radio program's guest all said, but I want to tell
you that there is absolutely nothing wrong with hybrid varieties.  The
nutrition and goodness of vegetables grown from hybrid seeds is as good or
better than that from open pollented crop plants.   In fact in many
instances hybrid produced foods are higher quality due to the lack of
diseases and such that they are bred to be resistant to.  Don't form an
opinion that everything different is synthetically produced in a lab. 
Although bio-tech is a useful tool, the majority of the advances in plant
breeding (both developing new varieties, and developing hybrid varieties)
is done in conventional plant breeding programs.   In a simple sense a
hybrid variety is just the plant breeder making use of his or her knowledge
or genetics, to breed a variety from the existing gene pool that has
superior performance in yield, size, color, or whatever.  Don't classify
all hybrid varieties as unhealthy.   The statement that seeds from a hybrid
fruit will not grow is not altogether true.  The seeds are viable and if
planted they will grow and they will produce fruit also.  The reason why
people recomend you not grow them is because they will not produce true to
type.  You will get a huge variety of different size, different qualities
of fruit.  You will never see the type of plants or fruit that you had when
you first planted the seeds.   

If you are looking for open pollenated varieties to grow in you garden
there are many good sources.  Companies like Seeds of Change,  Shephards,
and Burpee carry many open pollenated varieties.  One hint:  if the name
has the designation F1 after it, it is a hybrid.   Most non-hybrid
varieties will say open pollenated.  There are many wonderful tasting open
pollenated fruits and veggies.  

Enjoy your project, 

Rick from Wisconsin


----------
> From: ke6gvp@juno.com
> To: veggie-list@eskimo.com
> Subject: Re: Hybrid
> Date: Tuesday, January 20, 1998 9:55 AM
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I am new to the list, and have taken an interest in non- Hybrid seeds
> after much listening to someone on a radio show re: health issues, etc. 
> 
> Is it safe to believe that if the package doesn't say Hybrid then it must
> be non hybrid, meaning that you could save the seeds and grow again and
> again, this radio show I have mentioned has a URL if anyone interested in
> growing non-hybrids (you can search for Ark Institute) I don't have the
> actual url handy, sorry.
> 
> anyway the "guest" on the program discusses how non-hybrid seeds
> germinate slower than hybrid, but that you cannot plant seeds of hybrids
> anyway because they will not grow.  Now I can't help but wonder in the
> produce section of the store what fruits/vegies are hybrid or non?
> 
> Tomatoes I find very confusing, how did they get so many different types
> if not by making them "in the lab", if you know what I mean.
> 
> Now as for brands, I am kinda new to this and would appreciate any advice
> anyone has.  Is the brand Burpee ok? or should I buy from catalogs?
> 
> Thanks much,
> 
> Alda
> KE6GVP@juno.com
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