smac
New Member
Posts: 1
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Post by smac on May 9, 2008 5:33:41 GMT -5
I was just wondering what, exactly, is a heirloom tomato, and why should we grow them?
Thanks for your help.
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Post by Sammyqc on May 9, 2008 11:05:28 GMT -5
An heirloom tomato is an older variety, that is open pollinated. Some growers argue about the definition the way some people argue politics, but for me, open pollinated tomatoes are basically the same thing, even if they are more recent introductions.
Open pollinated is important, because you can save the seeds from year to year, and grow the same variety each time. Hybrids are crosses from two or more different tomatoes that create a specific type of tomato, but if you save the seeds, you don't get the same tomato plant.
They are important for a few reasons.
One, we are saving the genetic diversity that has been growing in our gardens for decades. The future of our food supply is in our hands, and we need to preserve it. I realize it sounds a bit intense, but if we don't save the seeds, and rely solely on the big seed companies to provide us with hybrids, we will regret it one day. Monsanto and Sygenta are two companies that I distrust immensely, and it's not just about tomatoes! Corn, potatoes, rice, the gmo list is long, and will continue to get longer. GMO tomatoes are not in stores yet (actually they have been, but were not a success so they are no longer available), and hybrids are not GMO, just to clarify that.
Two, money. You can save your own seed year after year, and you will never have to buy seed again.
Three, variety. Orange, yellow, black, purple, green, and all kinds of striped tomatoes are available as well as sizes, cherries, plums, slicers, beefsteak, etc... And the difference in taste is incredible.
Four, adaptability. A lot of these o/p's have been selected over the years for specific growing conditions. For example, this year I'm growing out quite a few that originated in Russia. So far, I'm really impressed with them. Our climate is similar, and logically, a tomato that does well there, should do well here. Others are more disease resistant, drought tolerant, cold tolerant or heat tolerant, there are varieties that have been selected for all kinds of growing conditions. Growing specific plants for your situation should allow a more limited use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and water. And it should be easier to use more natural, organic gardening practices.
Five, it's fun. There is a whole world of tomato growers out there, who are pretty serious about their tomatoes. Trading seeds is a great way to try other varieties, and it is eye opening how much information is available. And most of these people are seriously nice too. It's a great way to meet others who have similar interests, even if it's only on the internet. And tomatoes are not the only seeds that we need to preserve. Once you realize the variety of other vegetables and fruit that are out there, that are considered heirloom/open pollinated, it can become a fascinating process.
I'm sure I could come up with some more reasons, but for now, that'll have to do.
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Post by edixidinatui on Sept 13, 2019 3:26:14 GMT -5
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