Question about different types of seeds...

[tiachica]

This will out me as a complete novice to the more serious veg growing... lol

I have come across different types of veg seeds and try to understand their implications.

For example, what are F1 varieties? And are there F2, F3 varieties?

I have read a short article about suicide and zombie seeds (who came up with these names).

What other terminology should I be prepared to come across?

What other types of seeds are there?

What should I look out for when looking for plants where I can collect seeds to sow the next season?

What is the advantage of F1 vs natural seeds and vice versa?

*confused*

TiaChica

[selfraising]

Hi
From what I understand, I think F1 seeds are a result of cross pollinating say 2 different types of tomato, for example. Each plant is chosen for its charateristics or other growing qualities. So the F1 is a combination of the two different types. The disadvantage of F1 seeds is that they are more expensive and also if you save the seed from an F1 plant, it may revert back to the original parent plant. The advantage is that they may have been bred for certain strengths i.e. resistant to certain diseases. I'm afraid I can't answer your other questions but I'm sure someone else will know

[tiachica]

ahhhhhhhh! *lightbulb went on*

So F1 is the first generation according to Mendel's Laws?
Makes sense!

[Iamhanuman]

what the heck is a ZOMBIE SEED???

[Eyren]

ahhhhhhhh! *lightbulb went on*

So F1 is the first generation according to Mendel's Laws?
Makes sense!

Exactly!

That's why you don't get F2, F3, etc - they would be a random mix of their grandparents' characteristics. For the same reason, there's not much point saving F1 seed unless you are prepared for some random and possibly disappointing results.

F1 varieties give more consistent results, and are therefore preferred by commercial growers because they will tend to all crop at the same time - exactly what most home growers don't want! On the other hand an F1 may be a good choice for some fruiting crops which are not native to the UK but can be specially bred to ripen faster in our climate - cucumbers, peppers, squash, etc.

The other thing you need to know when saving seed is whether the plant is an inbreeder or an outbreeder. Here's Geordie's excellent post on the topic:

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...seed_7174.html

Sorry, don't know anything about zombies or suicides...

[selfraising]

I didn't know that they cropped all at the same time, thanks Eyren, I've learnt something new too.

[selfraising]

I've just found this link when I googled zombie seeds, another new thing I've learned!!
Environmentalists sound alarm on 'zombie seeds'

[zazen999]

Jeez - they'll do anything for a profit.

That's made me very sad.

[selfraising]

Jeez - they'll do anything for a profit.

That's made me very sad.

I agree, it's just taking things too far. Anything to maximise profit

[Flummery]

You CAN get F2 and F3 etc if you are un-hybridising a hybrid! You take the F1 generation, save the seeds and then grow on the next year. These plants are F2 (second filial generation). Save seeds of these and you are into F3. That's where I am currently with my Sungold unhybridisation. I've seen people on American sites offering Sungold F9 seeds for swaps. After a few generations you will get a stable variety which you can, should you yearn for fame, give a name to. The trick is not in doing it - it's in selecting the ones with the decent traits and characteristics. The geneticists know how to get what they are selecting for - earlienss, hardiness, diesease resistance. I'm going on flavour!

The wonderful Green Zebra was produces by an Amercian chap by this process.

[tiachica]

Here is some more info on Monsanto:
Monsanto - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
COMBAT-MONSANTO - Building a world free from Monsanto

Thank you for all your replies... definitely a few lightbulbs went on! lol... need sunglasses now cause I am blinded... lol

[tiachica]

You CAN get F2 and F3 etc if you are un-hybridising a hybrid! You take the F1 generation, save the seeds and then grow on the next year. These plants are F2 (second filial generation). Save seeds of these and you are into F3. That's where I am currently with my Sungold unhybridisation. I've seen people on American sites offering Sungold F9 seeds for swaps. After a few generations you will get a stable variety which you can, should you yearn for fame, give a name to. The trick is not in doing it - it's in selecting the ones with the decent traits and characteristics. The geneticists know how to get what they are selecting for - earlienss, hardiness, diesease resistance. I'm going on flavour!

The wonderful Green Zebra was produces by an Amercian chap by this process.

Thanks Flummery,

I had a quick peek at your blog last night and look forward to reading about your trials! Good luck!

[Flummery]

Thanks Flummery,

I had a quick peek at your blog last night and look forward to reading about your trials! Good luck!

"All my trials, Lord, soon be over!" Sorry - you just reminded me of something we used to sing in the folk club I belonged to as a student - those were the days, my friend!

Oh, shut me up someone - it must be the sunshine!

[FionaH]

*nips out to get Flum a cheesecloth shirt and some sandals......

[JamesA]

Jeez - they'll do anything for a profit.

That's made me very sad.

Good grief, just read the article and thats just crazy stuff! There can be only one reason for making such seeds and thats to control supply and demand and, of course, price!

Untill reading this, i didnt have too much of a problem with GM crops and just saw it as the natural succession to cross breading. This puts it in a very different light. Im off to join the HSL!