What is an F1 seed, and is it better?

In reading the various seed catalogues and websites, I am getting the impression that "F1 seeds" are somehow better. Each site seems to allude to this, but none gives a real reason why this is an advantage over other seeds. If anyone could explain the different between the F1 seeds, and other seeds, I would appreciate it.

F1 seeds are hybrid seeds. They are developed to give better colors or more blooms or a bigger harvest. Disadvantage of these seeds is that if you collect seeds of the plants, they will not come true, so you must buy the seeds again, again and again.
Jonna

From Wikipedia...............

F1 hybrid is a term used in genetics and selective breeding. F1 stands for Filial 1, the first filial generation seeds/plants or animal offspring resulting from a cross mating of distinctly different parental types. The offspring of distinctly different parental types produce a new, uniform variety with specific and/or desirable characteristics from either or both parents. In fish breeding, those parents frequently are two closely related fish species, while in plant and animal genetics those parents usually are two inbred lines. Mules are F1 hybrids between horse and donkey.

Crossing specific parent plants produces a hybrid seed (plant) by means of controlled pollination. To produce consistent F1 hybrids, the original cross must be repeated each season. As in the original cross, in plants this is usually done through controlled hand-pollination, and explains why F1 seeds can often be expensive. F1 hybrids can also occur naturally, a prime example being peppermint, which is not a species evolved by cladogenesis or gradual change from a single ancestor, but a sterile stereotyped hybrid of watermint and spearmint. Unable to produce seeds, it propagates through the vining spread of its own root system.


you can read more here...............

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F1_hybrid

Thank you very much for the information. My take on this is that I can always expect to produce the same plant from F1 seeds, because variation is minimal or nonexistant. On the other hand, the seeds that they produce will not be the same plant, but will revert to the parent plant, so I will always need to purchase new seed.

Its a tradeoff.