The Difference Between Heirloom, Open Pollinated, and Hybrid Organic Seeds (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between heirloom open pollinated and hybrid? ›

Heirloom varieties are named open-pollinated strains which either pre-date or are unaltered by the earliest open-pollinated breeding work. If open-pollinated varieties are allowed to cross within the same species, the resulting seed will be a hybrid.

Seeds that are open pollinated have been pollinated via natural means, which may include insects, wind, birds, or any natural method. Heirloom varieties of plants have been saved and passed down among members of a family or community.

Heirloom seeds are dynamic, that is they mutate and adapt to the local ecosystem, as opposed to modern hybrids which are static and do not adapt to the region they are grown in. They are necessary to continue traditional breeding methods to develop crops which can adapt to a changing climate.

Open-pollinated varieties produce seed true to type if they are allowed to cross-pollinate only with other plants of the same variety. If they cross with other varieties of the same species, their seed will not come true. Hybrid varieties are those produced from the crossing of two different inbred lines.

Gardening organically goes hand in hand with growing heirlooms, since many were introduced before synthetic fertilizers and pesticides became available. But heirloom does not guarantee produce was raised without chemicals, making organic a better choice when you're worried about toxins.

For short-term storage, such as for next year's garden, storing the seed jar in a cool, dark, moisture-free environment is sufficient. Heirloom seeds stored this way will last for 3-5 years. For longer storage, place the jar in the refrigerator and the seeds should be good for 10-15 years.

The biggest difference between heirloom and hybrid varieties is that heirloom seeds grow true to the plant. This means that you can take the seeds from an heirloom tomato and expect the same results from the plant that grows. Hybrids do not offer that. A hybrid seed will more than likely create different results.

Heirlooms have many definitions, ranging from seeds that have been passed down from family to family, to seeds that are open pollinated, to varieties released prior to World War II. Basically, heirloom seeds come back true to their original form year after year.

First, heirlooms are generally known to produce better taste and flavor. Heirloom fruits and vegetables are also known to be more nutritious. Last but not least, they are less expensive over the long haul. Heirloom plants may require a bit more care than their counterparts but the effort you put in will be worth it!

As America's most trusted supplier of vegetable and flower seeds and plants, Burpee has always supplied home gardeners with safe, non-GMO hybrids and tried-and-true heirloom seeds. Burpee's certified organic varieties are recognized as organic under the Oregon Tilth Certification, a subsidiary of USDA regulatory.

What is the difference between organic and hybrid seeds? ›

Organic seeds are non-GMO which means that these seeds cannot be modified genetically in any way. However, you can produce hybrids using organic seeds by cross-pollinating with other varieties to get the best attributes of each variety.

Heirlooms taste better.

And, heirlooms usually have more locules—the cavities with the seeds—than commercial hybrids. These locules are flavor centers, full of volatile compounds. Hybrids are less flavorful because they were never bred for flavor—although that is changing.

The term “heirloom” has increased in popularity in recent years, but what exactly does it mean? “Heirloom” describes a seed's heritage, specifically a documented heritage of being passed down from generation to generation within a family or community.

Q:are these seeds open pollinated? A: Organic Swiss Chard Ruby Red is open pollinated. Happy Gardening!

Heirloom vegetables or seeds refer to any type of seed that has been grown for a number of years (since 1940 or before seems to be the general rule) and passed down from gardener to gardener.

Does heirloom mean organic? Some heirloom seeds or plants are organic, but not all heirloom seeds or plants are organic. Whether or not a plant is organic depends on its growing conditions, while heirloom seeds will remain heirloom varieties regardless of whether they are grown under organic or inorganic conditions.

An heirloom variety is a plant variety that has a history of being passed down within a family or community, similar to the generational sharing of heirloom jewelry or furniture. An heirloom variety must be open-pollinated, but not all open-pollinated plants are heirlooms.

The truth is seeds don't expire. They lose viability if stored improperly. While most seed companies will tell you to replace seeds every 2-3 years, those seeds will keep for decades and will germinate when planted if kept in a cool, dark, and dry place.

Mason jars and other glass containers are great options for seed storage so long as they are sealable. Ziplock bags, freezer bags and other plastic containers are also great options.

Freezing is a great way to store seeds for the long haul. If you're planning on sowing them within a few years, it's probably not going to make a huge difference, though it couldn't hurt. Just be sure: Only freeze seeds that are completely dry.

What are the disadvantages of hybrid seeds? ›

They are more expensive. Need for more technical skills for hybrid production. More input requirements for hybrid cultivation to exploit their full potential.

You can grow organic heirloom seeds if you want—the term "organic" only refers to how seeds are grown and produced. Organic seeds have to be raised in accordance with organic standards set by the USDA's National Organic Program.

Hybrid plants often grow more vigorously than either parent. They also have other valuable features that distinguish them from the non-hybrid varieties, such as disease or pest resistance, larger yields, tolerance of high humidity, or novel colors or flower forms.

Store seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. For long-term storage, keep the container in the back of the refrigerator or the freezer. No matter where they are stored, the most important thing to avoid is temperature or humidity fluctuations.

The oldest seed that has grown into a viable plant was a Judean date palm seed about 2,000 years old, recovered from excavations at Herod the Great's palace on Masada in Israel. It had been preserved in a cool, dry place, not by freezing. It was germinated in 2005.

Yes! Even seeds that are thousands of years old can germinate. But proper pre-treatment is essential, and the older the seed, the less energy it has left in storage. Seeds from annual plants aren't often designed to last many years, part of what makes the germination process so tricky.

Most seeds last three to five years after purchase, but those dates can vary depending on the variety. Lettuce, peppers, parsnips and onions have a short lifespan and should be planted within a year or two. Corn and beans are among the best for long-term storage.

To keep the seeds cool (ideally, below 50 degrees), some people store them in a jar in their refrigerator or freezer. Seeds in good condition and stored properly will last at least one year and, depending on the plant, may last two to five years.

Heirloom vegetables hold more nutritional value than hybrid alternatives. This is because hybrids are bred with the purpose of yielding more vegetables at a time, which results in lower nutritional value per plant.

Burpee is NOT owned by Monsanto. We do purchase a small number of seeds from the garden seed department of Seminis, a Monsanto subsidiary, and so do our biggest competitors. We do NOT sell GMO seed, never have in the past, and will not sell it in the future.

Does Monsanto own heirloom seeds? ›

Monsanto owns trade names for a number of heirloom seeds it supplies to various dealers (it can copyright the names but can't “own” heirloom seeds).

You can save seed from hybrid plants or from plants that have been cross pollinated. It is important to note, however, that the plants you grow from these saved seeds will carry the genetics from both 'parents' and may display different characteristics than you are expecting.

The positives for hybrid seeds are that they tend to perform better in your garden in terms of more fruits and vegetables produced, more plants surviving disease and pests, and more flowers. For a gardener, this can mean an increased return for all the time spent in caring for a garden.

If I get your question right, you want to know the difference if you were to grow organic seeds vs. non-organic seeds--organic in the sense of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. The answer is none. At least as far as anything that could be potentially harmful to you when you eat the veggies from the plants you grow.

What are hybrid seeds? A hybrid seed is the cross between two genetically different plants of the same species, such as two varieties of corn. These seeds are cross-pollinated by hand, with the goal to combine the desirable genetics of the two “plant parents,” such as larger fruit size or better resilience to disease.

Brandywine Tomato

Possibly the most popular variety of heirloom tomato, the Brandywine has an intense flavor and is comparable in size to a beefsteak tomato. They're juicy, meaty and flavorful and not highly acidic, making them ideal for just eating fresh or in an heirloom tomato salad.

An heirloom seed, therefore, is seed from a plant that has been passed from one generation to another, carefully grown and saved because it is considered valuable. The value could lie in its flavor, productivity, hardiness or adaptability. Many heirlooms have been grown, saved and passed down for more than 100 years.

Our Story. For 145 years and counting, Burpee has been innovating and inspiring gardeners to grow. We offer a broad range of hybrid, heirloom, and certified organic seeds and plants because we know that no two gardens or gardeners are alike.

Hybrid Plants

A hybrid vegetable is created when plant breeders intentionally cross-pollinate two different varieties of a plant, aiming to produce an offspring, or hybrid, that contains the best traits of each of the parents.

Do open-pollinated seeds grow true? ›

Open Pollinated Seeds

This means the structure of the flower allows fertilization before it opens. OP varieties grow out true every year. They are genetically diverse, so there can be a lot of variation in the plants and fruits.

Open-pollinated varieties are so stable, genetically speaking, that you can grow and save your own seed, thus gaining a self-sufficiency edge and possibly breeding (through selection) a variety with superior adaptation to your particular garden.

Seeds that are open pollinated have been pollinated via natural means, which may include insects, wind, birds, or any natural method. Heirloom varieties of plants have been saved and passed down among members of a family or community.

Open-pollinated: Open-pollinated seeds are the result of natural cross-pollination or self-pollination between two plants of the same variety. If you plant open-pollinated varieties in your garden, they will produce seeds that you can save and plant the following year to grow the exact same plant.

Do not save seed from F1 or hybrid plants if you want to be certain that the plants grown from the seed will be the same as their parents. Plants that grow from seed saved from hybrid plants generally are less vigorous, more variable, and usually have smaller blossoms and yield less than their parents.

Plants of a variety are so closely related that they share the same, distinct traits. Open pollinated varieties are created through free pollination and then trait selection. Heirlooms are open pollinated varieties that have been around for many years. Hybrid varieties come from cross pollinating for certain traits.

Open-pollinated varieties are so stable, genetically speaking, that you can grow and save your own seed, thus gaining a self-sufficiency edge and possibly breeding (through selection) a variety with superior adaptation to your particular garden.

Many gardeners prefer heirloom vegetables because they are open-pollinated, which means you can save your own seed to replant from year to year. “Seeds saved from heirloom vegetables will produce plants that are true to type, unlike hybrid seeds.

Does heirloom mean organic? Some heirloom seeds or plants are organic, but not all heirloom seeds or plants are organic. Whether or not a plant is organic depends on its growing conditions, while heirloom seeds will remain heirloom varieties regardless of whether they are grown under organic or inorganic conditions.

How long do open-pollinated seeds last? ›

To keep the seeds cool (ideally, below 50 degrees), some people store them in a jar in their refrigerator or freezer. Seeds in good condition and stored properly will last at least one year and, depending on the plant, may last two to five years.

Hybrids can have up to 25 percent higher yield. Hybrid plants are physically uniform. This is advantageous for farmers who harvest with machines, but it's usually not a big deal for small-greenhouse gardeners. Hybrids often show greater vigor and faster growth.

An heirloom seed, therefore, is seed from a plant that has been passed from one generation to another, carefully grown and saved because it is considered valuable. The value could lie in its flavor, productivity, hardiness or adaptability. Many heirlooms have been grown, saved and passed down for more than 100 years.