Hybrid & Heirloom Plants

Defining Heirloom Plants

• Not everyone agrees on the definition of an heirloom plant, but traditionally speaking, it is a variety that is at least 50 years old, not sold commercially in large quantities and preserved in a certain region. Heirloom plants, such as the tomato, tend to have unusual qualities, such as fine flavor characteristics, unusually vibrant color, unusual shape or excellent texture. However, according to the article, "Heirlooms vs. Hybrids," on the Vegetable Gardening Guru website, sometimes these plants "lack the holding ability, disease resistance, early maturity, or other characteristics that would make them commercially viable."

Benefits of Heirlooms

• Many chefs and gardeners are big fans of heirloom varieties. If you have bitten into a juicy heirloom tomato, you already know. Many heirlooms fruits and vegetables have a superior taste. Advocates also say heirlooms foster genetic diversity, and are more economical to grow because you can take seeds from your crop and replant them in subsequent seasons.

About Hybird Varieties

• Hybrid plants are bred with other plants to produce qualities that make for high yields, a uniformity of the fruit or flower, in addition to being more disease resistant. Commercially-grown products are often hybrids. Modern seeds, which are generally hybrid crosses, may produce a more vigorous plant, according to "The New York Times." You may want to use a hybrid variety if you have a short season, poor soil or desire higher productivity. In addition, if you like to garden in containers, look for hybrids meant to grow into short bushes with a high concentration of fruit.

Benefits of Hybrids

• You may want to plant hybrids, if, for example you are trying to grow a particular vegetable, but it keeps becoming diseased with mildew. There are hybrids available that protect from various kinds of diseases or pests. Pro-hybrid advocates say that hybrid varieties benefit from the most recent agricultural research, and that these plants can be superior in both taste and yield.