A warning about cheap seeds

[eyolf]

The first image is of an old open-pollinated variety, one that has remained somewhat popular for 80 years. Over that time indiscriminate providers allowed the variety to devolve.

The second is carefully conserved seed from a reputable seedsman.

A few years ago, a respected seed house obtained seeds originally stored in a freezer back in the 1960's and compared to what exists in the wild.

I bought seed from that seedsman, and saved some. The original packet was exhausted this spring, and so, to supply neighbors, I used saved seeds as well. Then my bride came home with some flowers she wished to try...and a packet of this variety.

"Let's see", I thought.

While the cheap seeds deliver a perfectly usable (and slightly earlier) tomato, they aren't as smooth and nice, won't deliver a slice just right for a sandwich. Because we can tomatoes, make salsa, spaghetti sauce, and homemade V8, they're gonna get used.

But the remaining seed will be tossed.



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[MrsJustice]

Your First Picture is like my "Burn-up Amish Paste Plants" from July Mercury Sun Heat we suffered here in Virginia. Leaving me with only 2 hearty Plants, Amen!!.

[Alfisol]

Wisconsin 55?

[eyolf]

Originally Posted by Alfisol

Wisconsin 55?

Yes, sir.
But the concept might apply to just about any older OP variety.

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[Alfisol]

I agree! Side question about your resurrected WI55s - how tall have they grown?

[eyolf]

All are approximately the same size: contained by an approximately 18" diameter by 5 foot concrete-reinforcement-mesh cage they almost stretched to the top. I suspect if one stretched absolutely straight, the Johnny's plants would reach 7 feet, the saved-seeds plants about the same, and the Livingston seeds plants about 6.

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