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Seed Saving FAQ

What is the difference between hybrid and open pollinated seeds?

11 years ago

Open pollinated plants are pollinated in two ways, either cross pollination between two plants by wind, insects, or water. Or self-pollination by mail and female flower parts contained on the same plant. Hybrid seeds are a result of cross pollination between two different varieties of the same plant.

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Pollination between different avocados?
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Comments (2)
Avocados come in A or B for pollination purposes. For best results one of each is required. It is a matter of the pollen being released when the female is receptive. With a seedling you will have no way of knowing what you have and several years before knowing if you will have fruit. Your local county extension service should be able to answer questions regarding your chances of success in your climate. Al
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please explain about hybrids and open pollination
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Comments (1)
Hybrids may or may not produce viable seed. Some are completely sterile, some produce little seed or a lot of deformed seed, some produce seed just like their parents. Seed from hybrids will vary a little, or sometimes a lot, from the hybrid itself. Many commercial hybrid seed, particularly F1 seed, is intentionally sterile (or almost sterile) so that the plant flowers longer. If your plant produces seed then it is most likely viable, although very lightweight and pale seed may be no good. Open pollinated seed may or may not be hybrid seed. Open pollinated plants normally are pollinated by other plants of the same species, but in a garden setting two species might cross. Two varieties of the same species will cross easily. To change your email, follow the link and click on edit your information. Make sure you are logged in. Here is a link that might be useful: members pages
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have: lots of open-pollinated veggie seeds
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Did you get my email?
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tomato growers quiz to decide hybrid or open-pollinated
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Comments (9)
Since I was the one who made the post, I feel like I should chime in about all the negative comments. Geesh, people, it's just a quiz...and it doesn't collect personal information. And it doesn't promote anything...from what I can tell, it indicates that hybrids have superior disease resistance and reliability and that heirlooms have superior flavor. Anybody want to contest that? OK, I admit, it's very basic, way too basic for most people on this listserv. But that's no reason to trash it. And that it's made by a seed company? Horrors! How dare they want to sell seeds! This is the kind of attitude Wikipedia has...they don't let companies provide information...and yet in today's world, often it's commercial interests that ARE providing the best information. Does anyone think that Extension websites are necessarily a better source of gardening info than, say, Dave's Garden website? C'mon people... Here is a link that might be useful: Tomato Growers Quiz #1
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