Some will say that hybrid seeds are more productive and less prone to diseases. The truth is, that depends on the plant. Tomatoes show little or no difference between the higher-producing hierlooms and the hybrids, where corn often shows a drastic difference.
Generally speaking, if a particular species is prone to inbreeding depression, then the hybrids will be stronger and more productive. But, most people have never even heard of inbreeding depression.
Rule of thumb:
Grasses and brassicas: Save seed from as many different plants as possible, preferably 200 or more.
Nightshades, legumes, and curcurbits(squash, cucumbers, melons): It’s ok to save from just one.
Saving from a wider base helps slow down inbreeding depression in the plants that are vulnerable to it.
Which doesn’t quite answer your question. In species like nightshades, legumes, and curcurbits, hierlooms tend to be more tolerant of less-than-ideal growing conditions. They became hierlooms by being plants that people could depend on for survival. (This assumes you’ve chosen varieties that are at least reasonably disease-resistant.) Most modern varieties are grown in carefully irrigated fields and under relatively controlled conditions. Even the climate they were developed for might not match your own, and it won’t say that on the packet.
And, quite frankly, the same might be true for what was in your can of seeds. Go ahead and test them, then if you decide some don’t pass muster, we can help you get hold of better varieties for your growing conditions.
“And, quite frankly, the same might be true for what was in your can of seeds. Go ahead and test them, then if you decide some don’t pass muster, we can help you get hold of better varieties for your growing conditions.”
Thanks ;)
Time will tell how they’ll do - I just wanted to see if they’d even sprout since I was past the 4 year recommended use-by date. That they’ve sprouted and are growing well makes me happy. Boy, do things grow well here! (Includes the weeds and poison ivy too...)