tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23047857.post926334553617195853..comments2024-03-17T19:32:26.043+00:00Comments on Daughter of the Soil: Commercial F1 hybridsRebsie Fairholmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17811733792196954188noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23047857.post-89050647533967161582017-01-26T15:55:05.739+00:002017-01-26T15:55:05.739+00:00I have read that many alleged hybrids are not hybr...I have read that many alleged hybrids are not hybrids at all, and just labeled as F1 so that people will be discouraged from saving seed. <br /><br />I would like to save seed because purple carrots seem to be only available as F1 hybrids, but am worried about the protoplast fusion thing. Can you tell me whether the male sterility is linked to all foreign plant material, i.e. whether a dehybridized, non-sterile plant will be free of any GMO material? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23047857.post-90282988175319427732015-02-02T17:28:18.347+00:002015-02-02T17:28:18.347+00:00If you don't like F1's, go ahead and plant...If you don't like F1's, go ahead and plant the inferior seeds you get from the F1's. Thats the alternative. It's the same thing. Hybrids are are bred to improve over the parent plants. If a Hybrid has a low germination rate,it is beacuse of the grower not the seeds. One of the traits hybridizers are looking for is ease of germination. Hybrids sell, inferior seeds/plants don't.Scott Planthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03780511668426633234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23047857.post-30659828501028973652012-05-29T10:14:31.509+01:002012-05-29T10:14:31.509+01:00What's even more amazing is that the success r...What's even more amazing is that the success rates for germination of commercial seeds in my hands are considerably lower than germinating the seeds I made myself last year.<br /><br />I got 100% germination rate with my own seeds and under 80% with some commercial ones. <br /><br />My plants are more vigorous than the commercial ones to date.<br /><br />Given that you can buy a 500ml concentrated seaweed extract for £5 - 10, this appears better value for money than buying expensive F1 hybrid seeds. <br /><br />I must say I buy F1 plants from nurseries to eliminate that issue. They usually take a couple of weeks to nurture back to health as mass production tends to leave them dessicated and still in pots too small for the plant size.<br /><br />My feeling on making my own hybrid is to find a cold-tolerant strain to cross with Alicante. Alicante does great in the warmth, but is pretty temperature sensitive, so hardening it off is a bit risky.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16009640036433422761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23047857.post-63913770932586715112008-06-04T14:38:00.000+01:002008-06-04T14:38:00.000+01:00Great post Rebsie, I missed it earlier but came ac...Great post Rebsie, I missed it earlier but came across it today doing some searching on F1. I got sent F1 seeds by Chase Organics (Sweetcorn Sweetie with only 50% germination). I only realized they were F1 once I received the seeds as they were not labeled F1 on their website.<BR/><BR/>I am intrigued at the idea of breeding a new variety, never tried it before but it sounds exciting and worth a shot.<BR/>Thanks for putting up such good informationAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23047857.post-22076466712487507542008-02-23T22:42:00.000+00:002008-02-23T22:42:00.000+00:00What's even weirder Patrick, I just discovered you...What's even weirder Patrick, I just discovered your post and was writing you a "what a coincidence!" comment just at the very same moment you were commenting here! Synchronicity or what?Rebsie Fairholmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17811733792196954188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23047857.post-22119164666245831862008-02-23T22:28:00.000+00:002008-02-23T22:28:00.000+00:00That's funny we were just posting about similar th...That's funny we were just posting about similar things at the same time. I made my post before I came over here and read yours.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23047857.post-45930110621891857172008-02-23T21:03:00.000+00:002008-02-23T21:03:00.000+00:00Sungold x Marmande sounds like a great idea! They'...Sungold x Marmande sounds like a great idea! They're both esteemed for their fabulous flavour. I think Sungold may itself be an F1 hybrid (one of the few genuinely good ones) which would make for some interesting and variable results but you never know what you might end up with. There's nothing to lose by giving it a try.Rebsie Fairholmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17811733792196954188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23047857.post-54775260312761663552008-02-23T18:47:00.000+00:002008-02-23T18:47:00.000+00:00Fascinating stuff! Very topical for me.. I bought ...Fascinating stuff! Very topical for me.. I bought a packet of a new Thompson & Morgan F1 tomato called 'country taste'. £2.99 and it contained just 6 seeds! All of which have failed to germinate. I am going to send them back and demand a refund. I love the idea of making my own crossbreed. How does Sungold x Marmande sound?Matronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07705506930308472527noreply@blogger.com