I was reading up on a provider of heirloom tomato seeds, which is the other thing I enjoy growing…
And this one company said that one of the things that made them better was that other companies did 30 runs to stabilize their seeds, but this company did a minimum of 50 runs to make sure the line was stabilized.
Does the same hold true for canna? Do people make that many runs to stabilize the traits in a given strain they’ve either created or are preserving?
Thats what the f/bx/s designation are to tell you in cannabis…how many times its been bred.
Heirloom in veggies means its like open-pollinated landraces that were never introduced to modern hybrids.
For 40 years…
So, it seems like the company you are using is using their marketing to try and throw shade on others, because heirloom isnt a legal desgination you have to committ too. Thats usually a red flag for me personally.
What company are you looking at?
To be honest, I forget. It was a few weeks ago, just remembered I wanted to post about it this morning.
I’ve purchased from Baker Creek?..Trueleaf, Tomatofest, and several others, including 2 from Europe.
Do you mean 40yrs to get that many generations? If so, I don’t think that’s accurate. I can get a tomato to set fruit in a few months. It would still take quite a while to get that many generations, but it’d be faster than canna, I think? Unless doing autos
Check out freeheirloomseeds.org . They ask for money for shipping but I paid $30 for 45 packets of really good seeds.The quantity of seeds is small, but you get a lot of variety for the money.
I got a Oaxaca Pink tomato from them. Growing five of them. Also got a Chocolate Cherry tomato from them.
Truelove seeds is a really great outfit. But not cheap. Amazing stuff though. Got Ethiopian berbere pepper from them.
I’m looking at freeheirloom now.
That’s a heck of a program.
I’m going to send them money tomorrow and put in an order.
Insane selection. And I had a good experience so far- shipping took a couple of weeks. Germination was pretty good. I have things I wouldn’t have otherwise.
They are not the ones to go to for quantity. Don’t expect enough corn seed to plant a 1/4 acre. With them it’s a delectible diversity game.
Depends on the genetics and if they have herm tendencies. Took COPA 5 generations to stabilize the gg4 x ssdd indoors according to him. That is only because it already had the tendency to herm. Other strains you can throw everything at and they won’t herm in a true sense or even mildly. Nearly all chems will push some manners if you take them too long but that’s just how they are.
I’ve never grown corn. It’s in the supermarket right now, in Maine, for $3/doz, and it’s pretty good butter/sugar corn. Just not worth it to me.
I only grow heirloom tomatoes for the same reason. Regular beefsteaks, when they’re in season, people are almost giving them away, so easier to let them deal with all of the issues.
I go for varieties you can’t usually find anywhere else. I’m growing a Starfighter, that I got from Europe. Looks almost like a freakin’ eggplant. Not going to find that in Lowes. I love Mr. Stripey. They’re huge, and have some of the best tomato flavor I’ve ever tasted.
Other than that, I’ll grow things like fennel, because we cook a lot with it, and it’s $3-$4 a bulb in the store. Can’t always get fresh okra up here, but you can sure grow it 
Trying to get a strawberry bed set up. $8-$10/qt when they’re in season. And I could eat a gallon of fresh berries.
I made my donation, and placed my order with them this morning.
Mostly tomatoes, and most of those that I’ve never heard of, plus some heirloom swiss chard.
Thanks for the pointer…that’s a worthwhile effort, right there.
Happy that’s going to work out for you.
Saved seeds from all the tomatoes I grew last year. Bought a few new varieties. This year I’m up to 12 different types. All heirlooms.
Had Green Cherokee tomatoes last year for the first time. They are some of the best I’ve ever had. Really special taste.
I agree on mostly growing things that cost more at the market, or are more special/unique.
That’s great.
I grew the German Striped 2yrs ago, one of the best tomatoes I’ve ever eaten.
Get the everbearing kind and hang them in hanging planters. You’ll thank me. A new bite everyday.
Everbearing that shoot out runners for new plants. Never buy a strawberry plant again.