Tomato - Open-Pollinated

Why Grow Open-Pollinated Tomatoes?

Open-pollinated tomatoes have parents of the same variety. If you save and plant the seed of open-pollinated tomatoes, you will get tomato plants that are like the parent. (As long as they are not cross-pollinated with other varieties that might be growing nearby).

Generally, open-pollinated tomatoes are more flavorful than hybrids. Many hybrids are bred for characteristics such as disease resistance, consistent size and storage qualities.

Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated. There are also newer varieties of tomatoes that are open pollinated. Hybrid tomatoes are a controlled cross of two different tomato varieties. They are said to possess hybrid vigor, and are often bred for good disease resistance, higher yields and other traits.