Starting from Seeds

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
daveid1966 Marietta, GA(Zone 7b) Jul 18, 2021

It seems like many perennials that are available in the garden centers of big box stores are hybridized. Are these inherently sterile; will their flowers produce viable seed? What about versions sold as seed from reputable seed companies?

Post #10520372
Quote
Zen_Man Ottawa, KS(Zone 5b) Jul 22, 2021

Hello daveid1966,

" What about versions sold as seed from reputable seed companies? "

Well, seed companies sell seed for seedless watermelons, and they will come up and produce watermelons that don't have seeds, but you can eat them and enjoy the fact that you don't have to spit out seeds.

Many of the patented seedlings for sale in garden centers will have pretty flowers, but no seeds. It is actually not legal to grow cuttings from patented plants. You are right, many of the perennials for sale in garden centers are hybridized between a diploid and a tetraploid, which produces a triploid. And triploids don't set viable seeds. But can be grown from cuttings. Which is illegal if the plant is patented.

ZM

Post #10520627
Quote
daveid1966 Marietta, GA(Zone 7b) Jul 22, 2021

So if I wanted a specific plant to spread, like echinacea for example, I'd do better to start from seed marked echinacea purpurea as opposed to a named hybrid like tomato soup?

Post #10520676
Quote
MaypopLaurel Cleveland,GA/Atlanta, GA(Zone 7b) Jul 22, 2021

Not all hybrids are sterile but offspring of viable seed will be variable. In the case of echinacea, many of those gorgeous hybrids have the disadvantage of being expensive as well as short Iived. Unfortunately hybridizers have a better market for fanciful colors than plant vigor. You'd be better off with the species version.

Post #10520677
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener Threads

Go to all Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener threads
BACK TO TOP