Open-Pollinated vs. Hybrid vs. Heirloom Seeds: What Do They Mean? - Gardening Channel (2024)

Open-Pollinated vs. Hybrid vs. Heirloom Seeds: What Do They Mean? - Gardening Channel (1)

by Matt Gibson & Erin Marissa Russell

Lots of people are concerned about finding out exactly where their food is coming from, and with good reason. Similarly, health-conscious gardeners want to know exactly where the seeds they purchase are from, and what type of seeds they should invest in to insure that they are getting organic, un-modified, chemical-free products. Open pollinated? Hybrid? Heirloom? How do you choose?

Purchasing your own seed can be an extra confusing process with terms like hybrid, GMO-free, heirloom organic, F1 hybrid, and more, featured on seed packages, especially if one doesn’t know what each of these terms mean. Many people become confused when checking out seed packages, and wonder about the differences between all these terms, and why they matter.

Open-Pollinated Seeds

Open-pollinated seeds grow plants with flowersthat are fertilized by bees, moths, birds, bats, wind, and rain.Open-pollinated seeds produce plants that come back the following year. Someopen pollinated plants are self-pollinators, meaning that the structure of theflower fertilizes before opening. Open-pollinated varieties grow the same wayeach year, though there can be a lot of variation in the plants and fruits, asthey are genetically diverse.

When agriculture first began, around 12,000 years ago, farmers started choosing the best traits of a plant, such as fruit size, fruit flavor, heat and cold tolerance, growth habits, and uniformity. Farmers would save the seeds of the plants they favored, continually growing the same plants year after year. This practice is known as plant selection, and it can only be done with open-pollinated seeds.

Open-pollinated plants require the wind,pollinator insects, or the gardener to help pollinate the plant’s flowers sothat they can set fruit and produce seeds for reproduction. In some cases,plants can produce both male and female flowers, such as with squash orpumpkins. In this case, moving the pollen from a male flower to the femaleflower’s stigma is all that is needed to pollinate the plant.

The seeds of open-pollinated plants, whenplanted in subsequent years, will grow the same type of plant that the originalseed grew. Gardeners refer to this as, “true to seed,” growing. For example, ifyou have a butternut squash plant, and you make sure that no cross-pollinationoccurs, the seeds that you save from your butternut squash plants, will growthe same butternut squash variety next year.

Self-pollinated plants grow what is called,“perfect,” flowers, wherein both the pistil and stigma are present within thesame flower. Often, all that is needed for pollination is simple blooming,which transfers the pollen to the stigma. Some evidence suggests thatself-pollinated plants pollinate better with the help of the wind or from theassistance of a gardener, who would gently shake the plant from time to time tohelp the pollination process. However, self-pollinated plants seem to managevery well on their own, hence the name.

Cross-pollination is common for anyopen-pollinated plant, and can also occur with self-pollinators. For example,if a bee visits one tomato plant and then lands on another, it could end upcross-pollinating. If you are trying to save seeds and keep the seeds true, youwill need to isolate your self-pollinating plants, just to be sure.

Hybrid Seeds

Hybrid seeds tend to scare off backyard gardeners due to the name hybrid, which carries certain connotations related to genetic mutation and the belief that hybrid seeds are created in a laboratory by evil men in white lab coats. Though it is sometimes true that hybrid seeds can be created in a laboratory, hybrids are totally safe and should not receive the bad name that they get from gardeners. They are, however, very unpredictable when you are attempting to save seeds for future planting.

Hybrid seeds are made by manual cross pollination of plants. Hybrids are bred to increase specific characteristics of the plants they create. Hybrids are made to produce higher yields, create greater uniformity, improved color, increased disease resistance, and more. Hybrid seeds cannot be saved with any assurance of regularity. The seed from the first generation of hybrid plants does not produce true copies reliably, so new seeds must be purchased for each planting. Hybrid seeds are not genetically engineered.

Home gardeners and strict heirloom growers tendto be scared off by the term hybrid. While heirlooms are certainly apreference, growing hybrids is not a bad thing. A hybrid is simply thecombining of genetics from two of the same species. For example, if you take ared hot pepper and pollinate it with a yellow sweet pepper, the offspring (orhybrid) might be a red sweet pepper.

The confusion comes in with hybrids when theytend to revert back to their parent types. For seed savers and cultivators whoare trying to preserve genetic biodiversity, a hybrid is a very challengingundertaking. When seeds are saved from the red sweet pepper and planted again,the results are random and unpredictable. You may get a few that are red andsweet, but others will be yellow and hot, some red and hot, and some yellow andsweet. In short, hybrids are completely safe and do not deserve the badreputation that they have been branded with, but they are completely unreliablewhen it comes to saving the seeds.

Hybrids are often accompanied by the label F1or F2, F3, etc. What does the F1 label mean exactly? Well, the F and the numberbeside it just references the generation that it came from. F1 is the mostcommon label, and it just means that the hybrid comes from the firstgeneration. The further along you go, for example, F4, F5, and F6, the morestable the hybrid is and less likely it is to revert back to one of theparents, and the closer it is to becoming an heirloom.

Heirloom Seeds

Using open-pollination, heirloom seeds arepassed down from generation to generation. The changes that occur during theirdevelopment happen naturally, over the course of many years. To be consideredan heirloom variety, the species of plant has to be forty years or more, in themaking. During the years of cultivation, heirloom plants develop desirabletraits, such as disease and pest resistance, as well as the ability to thrivein their specific climates.

The best way to acquire heirloom seeds arethrough local seed exchanges, so that you are sure to get heirloom varietiesthat are suited to growing in your particular region. Heirloom seeds also are available forpurchase at most garden centers and nurseries.

Be sure to save heirloom seeds, as they can beplanted year after year. Heirloom seeds are never hybrids or GMO’s. Heirloomvarieties are quite often better-tasting, higher quality, and hardier thanother seed types. More often than not, heirloom seeds have been cultivatedunder organic conditions, even when it does not say organic on the package.That is because it is time-consuming and expensive to get your fruits,vegetables, and seeds certified with the USDA to put an official label on theproduct.

Don’t Worry About GMO Seeds

GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organisms.GMO seeds are created in a laboratory for large scale agricultural use.Contrary to popular belief, there is no chance of accidentally acquiring GMOseeds for use in home gardens, so there is no reason to worry about getting yourhands on a small amount of GMO seeds. They are usually very expensive and onlyavailable for purchase in large quantities.

Farmers choose GMO seeds for a variety ofreasons, as they are modified to have certain desirable traits. Some GMO seedsare made to be drought tolerant, some are created to produce seedlessvarieties, and others to be resistant to certain pests and diseases. There ispretty much zero chance that a small-scale gardener is going to stumble uponGMO seeds.

What Type Of Seed Should YouBuy?

Organic gardening and gardening with heirloomvarieties are very similar undertakings. Many heirlooms were created beforesynthetic fertilizers and pesticides ever hit the market. Most heirloom seedsare organically grown, though the heirloom label doesn’t guarantee that theseeds are organic, or that no chemicals were used during the cultivation of theseeds.

Many heirlooms were introduced beforesynthetic fertilizers and pesticides were created. The heirloom label doesn’tguarantee that the plants will be organic or that no chemicals were used in thegrowing process, but it is likely that heirloom seeds, even without the organiclabel, are chemical-free. However, if you are worried about toxins, especiallyif you are growing produce, seeds with an organic label are the betterchoice.

If you are after specific desired plantcharacteristics, such as good production, disease resistance, better storagecapabilities, buy and grow hybrid seeds. If you want to save seeds for futureuse, open-pollinated seeds or heirloom varieties are your huckleberry. One ofthe biggest upsides to saving seeds is that your plants will be acclimated tolocal weather and growing conditions, which will make it hardier than seedgrown elsewhere.

As you look through seed catalogs, take timeto read the descriptions or scan for words like heirloom and open-pollinated.Read about the history of heirlooms. Hybrids often have F1 in the name or belowit. The descriptions should say what plants were crossed to create the hybridvariety, as well as any desirable traits, such as disease resistance. Seedcatalogs should give you lots of choices. First, figure out what you need, thendo some research and make an educated purchase.

Common Questions andAnswers About Open-Pollinated Versus Hybrid Versus Heirloom

Are heirloom seeds openpollinated?

All heirloom seeds are open pollinated.However, not all open pollinated seeds are heirloom varieties. Seeds that areopen pollinated have been pollinated via natural means, which may includeinsects, wind, birds, or any natural method. Heirloom varieties of plants havebeen saved and passed down among members of a family or community.

Are hybrid seedsorganic?

Hybrid seeds can be organic, but not all hybrid seeds are organic. Whether or not hybrid seeds are organic depends on whether they were grown, harvested, and processed according to the USDA Organic Standards for crops. You can review the USDA Organic Standards at the USDA website.

Can hybrid plantsreproduce?

It is possible for hybrid plants to reproduce,but it is rare, as many hybrid plants are sterile. This sterility often occurswhen hybrid plants are created naturally, and when people develop hybrid plantscommercially, they sometimes develop them to be sterile on purpose. When hybridplants are capable of reproducing, the next generation is not always true totype as it is with open pollination.

Can you save hybridseeds?

Many hybrid plants are sterile, but if your hybridproduces seeds, you can save them to plant the next season. Be aware thathybrid seeds, when viable, grow into a new generation of plants that sometimesaren’t “true to type,” which is to say they aren’t always exactly like theirparent plants. This element of unpredictability is why you’ll sometimes readthat the seeds of hybrid plants can’t be saved or shouldn’t be saved. But aslong as you’re aware that the offspring of hybrid plants won’t necessarily growtrue to type and may be sterile, there’s no reason not to save hybrid seeds. Infact, due to “hybrid vigor,” the seeds of hybrid plants are more likely tosurvive and are more healthy and strong as they grow than seeds of plants thatare not hybrids.

Can you save openpollinated seeds?

The seeds of open pollinated plants can besaved, and the offspring of open pollinated seeds are known for growing “trueto type,” meaning they can be depended on to reflect the traits of the parentplants.

Do f1 hybrids produceseeds?

F1 hybrids are often sterile, and when they doproduce seeds, the offspring are often not true to type (meaning they do notreliably reflect the traits of their parent plants). But f1 hybrids that arenot sterile do produce seeds. The offspring of those seeds display “hybridvigor,” meaning they are more likely to survive and grow to be healthier andstronger than their non-hybrid counterparts.

Do heirloom seedsreproduce?

Heirloom plants reproduce seeds that can besaved. Be aware that because of open pollination, heirlooms you intend to saveseeds from should not be planted near other plants due to risk ofcross-pollination. Select the healthiest, most productive plants to save seedsfrom, as the next generation of plants will reflect the traits of the parentplant.

Allow plants to mature through their fruitingstage, and then they will set seed near the end of the season. Permit the seedsto ripen on the plant until the blooms have faded and shriveled, or for plantswith pods, the pods darken and dry out. When seeds are ripe, they darken frompale cream to brown. Once most of the seeds have ripened, you can begincollecting them.

Seeds from beans, carrots, corn, onions, peas,herbs, and most flowers require a dry collection method. Leave the seeds to dryon the plant as long as you can. Then collect them and spread the seeds in asingle layer on a screen or paper towel in a safe, dry location with goodventilation. If seeds are too small and light to be dried on a screen, you caneither use a paper towel or place the seed heads in a paper bag. Seeds willfall to the bottom of the bag as they dry, and you can eventually remove theother plant debris.

Seeds from fleshier fruits and flowers, suchas cucumbers, melons, squash, tomatoes, and roses, require a wet collectionmethod. Scoop the seeds from the fruit and place in a jar or bucket with asmall amount of warm water and soak for two to four days, stirring daily. Atthe end of the two to four days, the viable seeds you should keep will havesunk to the bottom of the container. Seeds that are not viable and should bediscarded will float to the top of the container, along with other plantdebris. Pour off the water along with the seeds that aren’t viable, plantdebris, and mold. Spread the viable seeds from the bottom of the container in asingle layer on a screen or paper towel. Store your seeds in a safe, drylocation that gets good ventilation as they continue to dry.

Whether you use a wet or dry collection method, allow the seeds to dry out completely before moving them to a glass jar or envelope for storage. Label the seeds with the plant type and the date. Freeze your container for two days to kill any garden pests that may be hitching a ride. Move them to a cool, dry place like your refrigerator for long-term storage. Seeds can be stored for up to three years, but seeds from some types of plants must be used within one year. Refer to our Seed Life Chart to find out how long you can expect a particular kind of seeds to last.

How are hybrid seedsmade?

Hybrid seeds are the result of cross-breedingtwo plants that are not genetically similar. The male plant (or pollen parent)pollinates and fertilizes the female plant (seed parent), which sets f1 seeds.

How do you name ahybrid plant?

Hybrid plants are named for the genus followedby an x and the name given to the hybrid variety. For example, a hybrid airplant might be named Tillandsia x Redy.

How long can you keepheirloom seeds?

As with all seeds, heirloom seeds can last from one to three years, depending on the type of plant the seeds came from. If you want a specific estimate for how long you can expect a particular type of seeds to last, you can refer to our Seed Life Chart.

Is open pollinated thesame as heirloom?

All heirloom plants are open pollinated, butthe terms do not have the same meaning, and not all open pollinated plants areheirloom. A plant that is open pollinated has been permitted to be pollinatedby natural means, such as insects, wind, or birds. Heirloom plant varietieshave been passed down through a family or community.

What are f1 and f2generations?

The f1 and f2 generations are names given tocertain generations when breeding plants. The first set of parent plants is theP, or parent, generation. The F1 generation stands for first filial, and thisgeneration includes all offspring of the parent plants. The F2, or secondfilial, generation includes all the offspring of the F1 plants.

What are the advantagesof using hybrid seeds?

Gardeners report many advantages to usinghybrid seeds in the garden. Hybrid plants are reportedly easier to grow andgrow more quickly than their non-hybrid counterparts. Gardeners also say thathybrid plants bounce back from stressful situations more readily. Hybrid plantsare often cultivated to have characteristics gardeners may find desirable, suchas disease resistance, larger fruit, higher yield, or more durability inshipping.

What are thedisadvantages of hybrid seeds?

While hybrid varieties are bred to havecertain benefits, this hands-on cultivation tends to let other qualities fallto the wayside. For example, gardeners note that hybrids tend to be moreexpensive, less nutritious, and less flavorful than heirloom varieties. Hybridsalso tend to be sterile, and those that are not sterile do not produce true totype, so seed-saving is impractical with hybrid plants. That means new seedmust be bought at the beginning of each season. The genetic uniformity of hybridplants also can be problematic in the face of certain challenges, such asextreme weather conditions or the introduction of a new disease or garden pest.

What are openpollinated seeds?

Seeds that are open pollinated come fromplants that have been pollinated via natural means, such as birds, wind, orinsects. Open pollinated seeds are known for producing a new generation ofplants that are “true to type,” meaning the offspring reflect thecharacteristics of the parent plants.

What are the benefitsof heirloom seeds?

Heirloom plants have a variety of benefitsthat lead some gardeners to choose heirloom seeds for their gardens. Heirloomvegetables are open-pollinated (as opposed to the selective crossbreeding thatcreates hybrids) and have been handed down among members of a family orcommunity.

Heirloom seeds tend to cost less than hybridseeds, and collected seeds from heirloom plants produce a new generation that’strue to type. That means not only do gardeners save money when they purchaseheirloom seeds—if they collect those seeds to plant the next season, they don’tneed to purchase seeds again after the first expense. Because heirloom fruitsand vegetables aren’t as uniform as hybrids, an heirloom harvest won’t allripen at once. That means gardeners of heirlooms have a longer period of timeto enjoy the fruits of their labor and are less likely to wind up with a bumpercrop they can’t eat that goes to waste.

Many gardeners choose to grow heirloomvarieties because they say heirloom fruit and vegetables are more flavorfulthan hybrids. Heirlooms are also often more nutritious than their hybridcounterparts. Locally adapted varieties of heirloom seeds are likely to havedeveloped resistance to diseases and insects prevalent in your region, andthey’ve also evolved to be at home in your specific climate.

What does f1 hybridmean?

An F1 hybrid is a plant in the first filialgeneration of selective crossbreeding to create a hybrid, which are theoffspring of the parent plants (P generation.) Offspring of two F1 plants arereferred to as the F2 generation.

What does f2 hybridmean?

F2 is the second filial generation of plants,the offspring of the F1 generation. (F1 are the offspring of the parent plants,the P generation.) As hybrids, the F2 generation is the result of selectivecrossbreeding.

What does f1 stand for?

F1 stands for first filial, as the F1generation encompasses all plants that are offspring of two particular parentplants (the P generation).

What does heirloom openpollinated mean?

Open pollinated plants rely on natural meansof pollination, such as wind, insects, or birds. All heirloom plant varietiesare open pollinated. Heirlooms are varieties that have been handed down amongmembers of a community or family for generations.

What is a hybridoffspring?

Hybrid offspring come from parents that aregenetically different. In other words, a hybrid offspring is the result ofcross-breeding two different varieties of plant in order to create a thirdvariety, the hybrid.

What is an example of ahybrid plant?

Meyer lemons are a hybrid—the result ofcross-breeding lemons and mandarin oranges. Better Boy tomatoes are a hybridvariety that’s been cultivated to resist the fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt,and nematodes that can plague gardeners of tomatoes. They’re also optimized toproduce large tomatoes. One single Better Boy tomato can weigh in at one pound.

What is an openpollinated variety?

Open pollinated varieties of plants are thosethat rely on natural forces (wind, birds, insects) for pollination.

What is hybrid plantbreeding?

Hybrid plant breeding is the selectivecross-breeding of different plant varieties for the purpose of encouragingdesired traits. Hybrids may be developed to be resistant to certain diseases,optimize harvest, or be larger or smaller than the average plant.

What is the differencebetween f1 and f2 generation?

The F1 generation of plants consists of allthe offspring of the parent plants (the P generation). The F2 generation ofplants consists of all the offspring of the F1 generation.

What is the differencebetween heirloom and heritage seeds?

There is no difference between heirloom andheritage seeds. The terms are used interchangeably.

What is the differencebetween heirloom and hybrid plants?

Heirloom plants have been passed down amongmembers of a family or community and rely on open pollination (in other words,they are pollinated by natural forces like birds, insects, or wind). Hybridplants are selectively cross-bred to encourage a desired trait, such as largefruits or resistance to disease. Cross-pollination can result in naturalhybrids as well.

What is the offspringof the f1 generation called?

All the offspring of the F1 generation aremembers of the F2 generation. The F1 generation includes all the offspring ofthe parent plants (P generation).

Why are hybrid plantssterile?

In nature, hybrid plants are often sterile as a result of polyploidy, when abnormal cell division causes offspring of hybrid plants to have more than two sets of chromosomes. Hybrid plants can reproduce when a polyploid hybrid breeds with another polyploid plant that has an even number of chromosomes and the pair can produce new cells that have a balanced number of chromosomes.

Want to learn more about open-pollinated, hybrid and heirloom seeds?

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