Tuesday 21 February 2012

Benefits of Open Pollinated Seeds

Open pollinated seeds saved from heirloom plants can be planted again the next season and the resulting plants will demonstrate the same characteristics and traits from year to year. Pollination is part of the reproductive cycle of plants.
Open Pollinated Seeds
Open pollinated seeds are simply allowed to grow and pollinate from year to year naturally, most beautiful, unusual and tasty vegetables. And they seeds are produced naturally, with no human interaction, and new varieties pop-up all the time.
This is a method of pollination that is preformed naturally by insects, birds, wind and nature. Open pollinated plants can be pollinated by other crops in your garden and have there genetics change in the garden.
Open Pollinated Seeds
Hybrids Seed vs. Open pollinated seeds:
Heirloom garden seeds are open-pollinated, so let's just clear that up. But, open-pollinated seeds are not necessarily always heirloom. The main difference between hybrids and open pollinated seed is the way in which the seed was formed. Hybrid seed is hand pollinated from two specifically chosen parent plants, with the resulting seed forming the new variety. Characteristics from the parent plants are chosen for specific reasons including; vigor, disease resistance, shape, color and other qualities. Open-pollinated seeds are ever-changing. They adapt to their surroundings, their nutrient and water supply, and are not nearly as difficult to grow.
Open Pollinated Seeds
It will most likely be predisposed to certain genetic diseases. It may be prone to hip dyspepsia, early blindness, digestive difficulties, hyper-activity, and a number of other congenital and hereditary illnesses. This purebred will require better foods, more exercise, more medical care, and most likely more attention.
Open Pollinated Seeds
Open Pollinated Seeds verities
Open pollinated seeds are the only choice for self-sustaining vegetable gardens because they are the only type of seed that can be gathered at harvest time and saved for the following year's planting cycle. It is a method of gardening that is healthy and chemical free, being both safer for you and the environment. Keeping this method of gardening alive is very important. As you grow and store your food, you can also store your vegetable seeds, making your small investment even more cost-effective. A similar process can be used for pumpkin, watermelon, squash, cucumber, and other fruit producing plants. It is important to thoroughly and yet gentle clean off all of these seeds and I prefer to place them on waxed paper on a cookie sheet and set them outside for two to three days. Some vegetables like beans and peas are can be left on the vine until they are mostly dry.