What is the difference between open-pollinated and F1 Hybrid seed?
Open pollinated varieties, which is all that we sell, are pollinated naturally by insects, wind, and birds. Upon harvest of fruit or flowers, open-pollinated varieties will produce offspring which is true to type of the parent plant. F1 hybrids refers to the first generation of offspring plants produced by a cross of two or more genetically different varieties of plants. F1’s are bred for vigor, homogeneity, and resistance to disease. However, seed saved from F1 hybrids are unpredictable (not growing true to type) and sometimes sterile. For more information on saving seed from open-pollinated varieties buy our book Seed to Seed, Item #S12248.
