#188228 - 03/02/08 09:27 PM
Should I go with Hybrid plants or Non-Hybrid?
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Pinkhorseofcourse
Wild Willow
Great Gardener
Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 692
Loc: Rolling Hills of SE Ohio
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What is the difference? I mean, I know the hybrids are, well, hybrids.. newer variations created by scientific measures.. right?? 
But are they GOOD? Can you please give me some pros and cons of each.. I am seeing ALOT of Hybrids in my catalogs.. and not being familiar enough with all of this, what do I do?? >>>>> Come running to you guys!! 
So, any help??
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#188244 - 03/02/08 09:52 PM
Re: Should I go with Hybrid plants or Non-Hybrid?
[Re: emdeGardener2]
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Pinkhorseofcourse
Wild Willow
Great Gardener
Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 692
Loc: Rolling Hills of SE Ohio
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Soo you recommend the hybrids then?
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#188247 - 03/02/08 09:58 PM
Re: Should I go with Hybrid plants or Non-Hybrid?
[Re: emdeGardener2]
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Pinkhorseofcourse
Wild Willow
Great Gardener
Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 692
Loc: Rolling Hills of SE Ohio
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Hmm.. I am not interested in saving the seeds.. I will have enough left over this year for two more years probably.. no way I am planting ALL of them. 
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#188250 - 03/02/08 10:07 PM
Re: Should I go with Hybrid plants or Non-Hybrid?
[Re: emdeGardener2]
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Pinkhorseofcourse
Wild Willow
Great Gardener
Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 692
Loc: Rolling Hills of SE Ohio
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I am sorry, but what does that have to do with hybrids? Am I missing something?
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#188380 - 03/03/08 10:18 AM
Re: Should I go with Hybrid plants or Non-Hybrid?
[Re: emdeGardener2]
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peppereater
Dream Gardener
Registered: 04/23/05
Posts: 2453
Loc: norman, ok
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Pinkhorse...don't be scared away from non-hybrid varieties by claims made by seed catalogues. The truth is that many non-hybrid plants are as reliable as hybrids and may have equal tolerance to some diseases. Also keep in mind that many diseases may not be in your area, and that other diseases affect hybrids as often as non-hybrid.
Some hybrids are grown for no other reason than eye appeal or novelty, too, with no benefit of disease resistance whatsoever.
One reason there are so many non-hybrid varieties around is that these varieties have proven to do very well for many people over many years...and have superior flavor than hybrids, in many cases.
I grow only non-hybrid, open-pollenated tomatoes, for instance, but I do grow certain hybrid peppers for their color or shape, and I'll be growing a hybrid muskmelon for it's dwarf size this year. None of my choices for hybrids are based on taste this season, or disease resistance, either.
This said, some varieties you may be led to believe are hybrid are not. If the label does not say hybrid or F1, it may not be a hybrid at all. Most companies will not mention when a variety is not a hybrid, if so, the label will say "Heirloom" or Open Pollenated.
_________________________
 Dave
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#189056 - 03/05/08 12:12 PM
Re: Should I go with Hybrid plants or Non-Hybrid?
[Re: emdeGardener2]
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Pinkhorseofcourse
Wild Willow
Great Gardener
Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 692
Loc: Rolling Hills of SE Ohio
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Thanks Peppereater!! I appreciate that information! I was just curious if Hybrids were better/worse.. whatever.. ya know?
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#189668 - 03/06/08 11:04 PM
Re: Should I go with Hybrid plants or Non-Hybrid?
[Re: peppereater]
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Pinkhorseofcourse
Wild Willow
Great Gardener
Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 692
Loc: Rolling Hills of SE Ohio
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No no.. that is fine!! Really! I want some good slicing tomatoes! But it doesn't have to be a hybrid.. I want the best flavor and texture.. I also will be doing some cherry tomatoes.. do you experiment with those too?
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#189799 - 03/07/08 11:37 AM
Re: Should I go with Hybrid plants or Non-Hybrid?
[Re: peppereater]
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Pinkhorseofcourse
Wild Willow
Great Gardener
Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 692
Loc: Rolling Hills of SE Ohio
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#189843 - 03/07/08 01:48 PM
Re: Should I go with Hybrid plants or Non-Hybrid?
[Re: peppereater]
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Pinkhorseofcourse
Wild Willow
Great Gardener
Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 692
Loc: Rolling Hills of SE Ohio
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Ohhh the Sungold is a cherry?? I thought it was a big one.. hm.. ok. LOL I have heard of the beefsteak.. last year I planted Early Girls and Better Boys to see which one I liked best.. and I really didn't have a preference.
So for the Salsa, should I go with the Roma? Like I said, I am not necessarily FOR the hybrids.. I just wondered if they were better.. and for the most part, I think they are in some ways.. but like Mel said earlier, as far as heritage goes.. the heirlooms are the way to go... and the taste is probably pretty reliable also.
And yes, we are fairly close to Amish Country.. about an hour or so. But we do have alot of Amish around here too.. I am sure our local farmers market has many amish who sell their goods. I would have to check and see if they have plants as well as the produce though. We actually have an Amish guy who does all the farrier work on our horses.. so maybe I will put a bug in his ear when I see him next. 
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#190039 - 03/07/08 06:42 PM
Re: Should I go with Hybrid plants or Non-Hybrid?
[Re: toposh]
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Pinkhorseofcourse
Wild Willow
Great Gardener
Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 692
Loc: Rolling Hills of SE Ohio
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#190040 - 03/07/08 06:42 PM
Re: Should I go with Hybrid plants or Non-Hybrid?
[Re: emdeGardener2]
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elkhwc
Member
Registered: 01/27/08
Posts: 67
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I will add my 2 cents to this good discussion. Much good information here and
Dave always gives great advice. I have gardened for 40 plus years and although I like to raise lots of veggies I have always leaned more towards the peppers and tomatoes. Maybe because I like to make lots of hot sauce and salsa on top of eating several fresh everyday. I grew hybrids mainly from the late 60's till around 6-7 years ago when I started trying some op's/heirlooms. I didn't get real serious till two years ago. Then I planted around 30 hybrid and 30 op's. Last year it was 65 op's and 20 hybrids. This year will be 52 op varieties and around 6 hybrids. I have a few standby hybrids that produce and taste well here in my garden. One is the hybrid Goliath. A favorite of mine and those I give and sell too. Everyone's taste preference is different and also our climates and soils affect taste. I tried Sungold last year and to be honest cherry tomatoes have never been a favorite of mine. It was good but won't be back. I liked an op Juane Flammee' better and it is 2-3 times the size. In growing op's you need to try several to find those that do well in your garden. Most op's were hybrids that have been stabilized. You have some sports of a variety but many are stabilized hybrids. And many have disease resistance. I'm growing one this year that was a hybrid developed by Kansas State in the 20's for wilt resistance and stabilized before being released. I had several op's that did very well last year. But two that stood out production and taste wise was Chapman ( a nice big beefsteak with great flavor) and Kellogg's Breakfast. A nice big orange tomato with excellent taste till it cooled down. I could name several more. If you would like to try seeds of a particular variety send me a email. I might have a few extra I could send. I have over 200 op varieties in my stock. I personally grow what does well and tastes great here in my garden and don't pay any attention to whether it is hybrid or not. One reason I'm so heavy on op's now is I'm trying to find those that do well here. I hope to start selling more and trying to speed up the process a little. I do try one or two new hybrids every year also. I will be growing a re-release this year called Ramapo that many op growers really like. It is a hybrid but there is also an op stabilized version of it. I also grow hybrid and op peppers. Great gardening to all and hope I haven't confused you too bad.
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#190082 - 03/07/08 08:34 PM
Re: Should I go with Hybrid plants or Non-Hybrid?
[Re: emdeGardener2]
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peppereater
Dream Gardener
Registered: 04/23/05
Posts: 2453
Loc: norman, ok
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Hey Enrique, there are lots of heirlooms, many are cheaper than hybrids because they don't require crossing. If you have Dollar General, Family Dollar or any thrift stores that offer cheap seeds, they're basically heirlooms. At least they're open-pollenated, the definition isn't exact. The cheaper seed is open-pollenated, always. Rutgers, San Marzano, Roma, Marmande, Red Cherry, these are all Heirlooms. Heirloom is a term that's often used to get a really high price for less well-known varieties, but it can be the same seed as the cheap seed because of the current interest in heirlooms.
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I would rather go with the old heirlooms also..
Probably a smart move there! 
