Topic: Self Harvested Seeds v The Packet Jobbies

[Emagggie]

Does anyone have an opinion on whether self harvested seeds produce plants of the same standard as seeds bought in a packet ?
I have found it's generally ok for flowers, but I wondered about produce.
This will be my first year on the allotment, so I can't try any till I've grown some !   ???  :)
All opinions gratefully received.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I think many plants do produce quality seed, but two things to look for are cross-pollination and inbreeding. Unless a flower is self-fertilised, then it needs to be hand-pollinated and protected from 'foreign' pollen sources to ensure that the seed is true. Information I have on sweet corn suggests that if you have less than 200 plants, the strain is liable to deteriorate due to inbreeding. I don't know how true this is; I intend to keep my own seed for one season at least, and possible buy again the following year. the other thing to watch out for, of course, is F1 varieties.

[Emagggie]

Ah yes. Thanks, Robert.