Heirloom vs. Hybrid Tomatoes
In the vegetable world there is an unspoken war going on – Heirloom vs. Hybrid Tomatoes. Some gardeners will only plant one or the other, but many plant both. Growing tomatoes from seed is a favorite pastime of many. Learn the differences between the two and make a decision that is right for your garden.
Hybrid Tomatoes
A hybrid tomato is created when plant breeders intentionally cross-pollinate two different varieties or species. The aim is to produce offspring or hybrid that contains the best possible traits of the two parents. A genetically modified or GMO seed has been synthetically modified in a laboratory may contain a mix of genes from other species of plants. A non-GMO hybrid has been genetically modified in a test garden by using cross pollination. Cross pollination is a natural process that occurs within the same plant species. The process of developing a cross-pollinated hybrid takes many years. Tests are done to carefully control the combination of traits desired.
Hybrid tomatoes offer some combination of these favorable traits: Early maturity, better yield, improved flavor, dependability, lower maintenance, specific plant size, and most often, disease resistance.
Heirloom Tomatoes
Heirloom tomatoes from seeds are usually ones that have been handed down for generations. They are typically hand-selected by gardeners for a special trait. Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated, meaning they are non-hybrid and pollinated by insects or the wind without human intervention. Most heirlooms are defined as varieties that are at least 50 years old. Many are pre-WWII. Heirloom tomatoes tend to remain the same in their characteristics from year to year.
Heirloom tomatoes are known for their robust flavor. They have a stronger flavor as compared to hybrids. A heirloom tomato plant will often produce different sized fruit. Sometimes different colored fruit is also produced off of the same plant. A hybrid tomato on the other hand produces fruit that is uniform in both appearance and taste.
Heirloom tomatoes can be found all over the world and usually have a unique story that goes with them. Brandywine, the most popular Heirloom tomato for its unbeatable flavor and deep purple flesh, comes from the Amish. The Arkansas Traveler tomato came from Northwest Arkansas prior to 1900. It managed to find its way across the South and North Carolinas. This heirloom is resistant to cracking and disease. It can yield tomatoes under the harsh conditions of the South. Drought, high heat and humidity does not diminish the yield of this type of tomato.
You decide what is right for your garden. Do you want a completely Heirloom garden or just Hybrids? Most people will mix both to grow tomatoes from seed, so they have the consistency of Hybrids and the uniqueness of Heirlooms. If you decide to go with hybrids make sure you understand the difference between GMO and non-GMO seeds when planting your garden.
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