Saving hybrid seeds

17 years ago

Ok, so I know the rules about saving hybrids; they won't grow true, may not produce etc. Despite all that I saved the seeds from my "space" spinach last year. I figured I had nothing to loose in trying.

Since I couldnt harvest all the seeds, it re-seeded itself last fall and was delicious. This spring I replanted the saved seeds; it germinated beautifully, and it is a delicious semi smooth spinach.

Now my question is: Since this current crop of spinach has returned to it roots so to speak and is reflecting one "space's" parents, will the seeds from this year's crop be true to themselves. Or is it possible that they are still changing? I have no other spinach in the garden, so there is no possiblities of cross. I plan on saving it again, but was just wondering If I can count on it staying as it is, or if I may get a suprise next year.

Thanks for your help

J

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Comments (5)

farmerdilla
17 years ago
If you select the plant from which you save seeds, each generation will be more consistant. Stability is usually reached in six to seven generations ( F6 -F7 will be essentially open pollinated cultivars)
albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
17 years ago
" ... rules about saving hybrids; they won't grow true ... " Some just might grow true, some might not. It's complicated. 'Hybrids won't grow true' is a good rule of thumb to avoid disappointments.
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digdirt2
17 years ago
Agree that it usually takes 6-7 generations to reach stability. That doesn't mean it isn't good stuff in the interim, just not completely stable. Enjoy it. ;)

Dave
josie23
Original Author
17 years ago
Thx, I should be able to get 2 crops per year, thus cutting the time down to 3 years (6X generations)to have a stable seed.
spiced_ham
17 years ago
But you have to save seeds from a selected plant and make sure it has not been cross pollinated in order to stbilize prefered traits. If you do not do that you will just continue to have a mix of traits in the population (instability). With spinach I wouldn't even know what good traits to look for in a single plant.