Book 29, Question 141
Why don't saved seeds always grow plants just like their parents?
Many seeds in stores come from hybrids, which are crosses between two different parent varieties.
Seeds from a hybrid plant can give mixed results, because their traits are shuffled again. Heirloom, or open-pollinated, plants usually pass their traits on if kept from crossing with others. Squash can cross with neighbors, giving surprises. Surprises can be fun.
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Quick answers
Why don't saved seeds always grow plants just like their parents?
Seed saved from hybrid plants will not produce progeny that resemble the parent plant and in many cases they produce inferior fruit or flowers.
Source: Iowa State University
More fun facts
- An open-pollinated variety will produce seeds that develop plants nearly identical to their parents if they are not allowed to cross-pollinate with others of the same species.
- The first step in seed saving is distinguishing between open-pollinated and hybrid vegetables.
- Seed saving is the art and practice of preserving and sharing seeds from desired open-pollinated plants.
- True to type means saved seed in the second, third or later generations will have the same characteristics as the original plant.
- Self-pollinated varieties of plants are easier to save seed from than cross-pollinated types.
Sources: University of Florida, University of Illinois, Oregon State University, Iowa State University