Gardening for Old Folks (Adaptative)

[chickadoodles]

I agree that cross pollination has happened by human design for quite some time. I am neither for nor against genetic modification for food production because neither side has convinced me. I don't care for Monsanto though.

This year I'm giving it a go then and will see what I get. Thanks!

I did it a couple years ago just to see if I could.

 

[lazy gardener]

Cross pollinating, or hybridization is not the same as GMO. Hybridization and cross breeding has been done deliberately in the animal and plant kingdom since man started farming. GMO is using gene splicing to put genetic material from one species into an entirely different species which would not be able to naturally cross.

I save pepper seeds from the grocery store. Those will grow if the peppers are ripe (red or orange peppers will grow b/c the seeds are ripe. But, green pepper seeds will not usually grow. I also will save tomato seeds from the grocer, but only do so if it's a novel variety. Sometimes the store sells "heirloom" tomatoes as a specialty item.

As for saving tomato seed, it will grow if you just scoop the seeds out and dry them. However, if you are planning to harvest your own seeds, or even saving seeds from the grocer, you should ferment them. This involves putting the seeds and their gel goo in a cup with some water and letting it sit for a few days to allow the liquid to ferment. This kills off any pathogens which could affect your future crop. You can do a google search for the specifics of how to do this.

 

[CapricornFarm]

You bought them from a grocery store, saved seeds, planted and got tomatoes? Was this recent? I have read that with genetic modifications that isn't likely. I'm not saying you're not being honest, I'm just surprised.

You may not get the same type of tomatoes. A lot of what are grown are hybrids.

 

[lazy gardener]

True, that! But, if one has the room and an experimental nature, it can be fun and sometimes amusing.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Like a box of chocolates!

 

[lazy gardener]

And far more nutritious.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I personally don't enjoy boxed chocolates, too many of those disgusting cream filled one.

 

[cavemanrich]

Since I do like to research and educate self for no monetary gain. I ran across this antique article. Not to be assumed that peeps in 1910 were stupid. I like their views. The article is long and I read thru some if it to get my enjoyment.

My opinion on getting seeds from a fruit/vegetable, from a store produce section.
You may end up with a GOOD fruit and the succeeding fruits from your fruits' seeds. (like was the case with my MOM)
Eventually after years, the fruit changed naturally. Some of her tomatoes started growing oddly shaped, though tasted just fine. Not appealing on a store shelf, but I'm sure a company like Delmonte Corporation or others have no problem using such, since the Ketchup it produces is just GREAT.
So now we get to purchased seeds. There is no GUARANTEE that you will not end up with MUTTS.
Most seed sellers do want to sell a GOOD product, since the alternative is (go out of business).
So you grow said seeds and do like your result. You gather those and the next year also like the results. Those results will eventually change. Sometimes for better, and sometimes for worse. That is one way we end up with different varieties. We choose those that we prefer, or are BETTER suited to our needs.
AND IN THE END, IT IS SO MUCH FUN THE AMATEUR GARDENER.

Here is link to the article. Interesting but lengthy.
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Popu...0/The_Role_of_Hybridization_in_Plant_Breeding
Article explains how selection works. This is a kwik copy/paste from article.
It comes about in this way. Inherited variations are produced by nature with considerable profusion. New characters appear and old characters are lost: these form the working basis of selection.

Of course it also explains the following in humans' evolution.
You do have to at least get a chuckle on the last evolved. This is a Chicken Forum.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I find most tomatoes in the store aren't very tasty, so I don't want to be growing any. My mother saved some seeds from some cherry tomatoes from the store last year and forced a plant on me. The tomatoes tasted just as thick and waxy as the store brand tasted. She liked them, I did not.

I find everyone has a different taste as far as tomatoes go. I like trying different varieties.

 

[cavemanrich]

I find most tomatoes in the store aren't very tasty, so I don't want to be growing any. My mother saved some seeds from some cherry tomatoes from the store last year and forced a plant on me. The tomatoes tasted just as thick and waxy as the store brand tasted. She liked them, I did not.

I find everyone has a different taste as far as tomatoes go. I like trying different varieties.

Have you considered the reason.
Think about this. When you grow your own, you harvest them when vine ripe, and TOTALLY DELICIOUS. If those at the store were picked at that stage, you would have tomato puree delivered to retail store. Tomatoes are picked at IDEAL stage to deliver to store so they are sell-able.
Now lets talk Strawberries. Once, picked, they will no longer ripen. (compared to tomatoes and other fruit). The green part will stay green until strawberry rots. Strawberries when picked ripe, are pleasantly sweet. The store variety when picked less than ripe are less sweet. Those that are at the very ripe stage are sweet, but shelf life is soo short, they look miserable quickly.
We live in a time where I, a wage earner can afford such nice produce when there is one foot of snow outside my window. It arrives from a place 2000 miles away, or further. We do live in GREAT TIMES, compared to my parents, and grandparent.