How many plants to "know" a variety?

Ispahan · September 9, 2011

I have been wondering how many plants or seasons it takes to get to know a variety well. Many people seem to only plant one of a given variety per year, and yet they can still make claims like "X tomato is a dud" or "Y tomato is incredibly productive."

I am not saying this is bad. I entirely understand space constraints and need for variety. But can 1-2 plants of a variety at a time be enough to overcome seasonal weather quirks, open-pollinated variation, different soil compositions, available sunlight, etc.?

I have been growing some of my favorite plants for years and they perform slightly differently every season. And for those of us who are seed savers, wouldn't it be easier or better to grow several plants of any given variety to select for desirable traits?

Not sure if I have a point here, but I am just hoping to stimulate discussion :-)

Cheers,
Ispahan

September 9, 2011	#1
Ispahan Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 46	How many plants to "know" a variety? I have been wondering how many plants or seasons it takes to get to know a variety well. Many people seem to only plant one of a given variety per year, and yet they can still make claims like "X tomato is a dud" or "Y tomato is incredibly productive." I am not saying this is bad. I entirely understand space constraints and need for variety. But can 1-2 plants of a variety at a time be enough to overcome seasonal weather quirks, open-pollinated variation, different soil compositions, available sunlight, etc.? I have been growing some of my favorite plants for years and they perform slightly differently every season. And for those of us who are seed savers, wouldn't it be easier or better to grow several plants of any given variety to select for desirable traits? Not sure if I have a point here, but I am just hoping to stimulate discussion :-) Cheers, Ispahan