Old & open-pollinated varieties – preserving diversity
Oxheart, Berner Rose, red cabbage "Kalibos" or the pea "Ambrosia": old, open-pollinated vegetable varieties are a living cultural heritage. They impress with special flavour, exciting shapes and colours – and, unlike modern hybrids, can be propagated yourself. Anyone who grows them preserves diversity and becomes a little more independent.
The decisive difference from F1 hybrids lies in propagation: open-pollinated varieties stay true to type across the generations.
In short
- Open-pollinated varieties can be propagated yourself – the offspring stay true to type.
- F1 hybrids do not produce true-to-type offspring and must be bought anew.
- Old varieties score with flavour, diversity and adaptation to local conditions.
- Saving your own seed protects this diversity from disappearing.
What are open-pollinated varieties?
Open-pollinated varieties pass on their characteristics reliably to the next generation. If you collect their seed, the same variety grows again. F1 hybrids, on the other hand, arise from targeted crosses; their offspring are uneven and rarely usable – you have to buy the seed anew every year.
Why preserve the diversity?
- Flavour: many old varieties are more aromatic than hybrids bred for yield and shelf life.
- Diversity: unusual colours, shapes and flavours enrich the garden and kitchen.
- Adaptation: regional varieties are often well adapted to climate and soil.
- Independence: saving your own seed makes you more independent of seed purchases.
Well-known old varieties
| Crop | Old variety | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Oxheart, Berner Rose | large-fruited, aromatic |
| Bean | Blauhilde | blue pods, robust |
| Beetroot | Egyptian flat-round | early, tender |
| Pumpkin | Hokkaido, Musquée | storable, aromatic |
Frequently asked questions
How do I save my own seed?
With open-pollinated varieties, harvest the ripe seeds, dry them and store them cool and dark. For tomatoes, let the fruit pulp ferment briefly, then rinse and dry the seeds.
Can I save seed from F1 varieties?
Possible, but not sensible – the offspring vary in shape, colour and yield.
Tip
Start with self-pollinators such as tomatoes, beans and peas – with them saving your own seed succeeds especially easily and true to type.
Caution
Do not confuse open-pollinated with F1: only with open-pollinated varieties is your own propagation worthwhile – F1 seed does not produce true-to-type plants.
In our range you will also find special and open-pollinated varieties as strong young plants – robustly pre-grown and ready to plant.