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AKmark · October 14, 2015

Is it best to save seed from our favorite plant of a given variety year after year, or should we use seed from multiple plants?

I am wondering about severe inbreeding, that you could never find in nature?

Over the course of 30 generations, or so, will you see a difference in health and vigor between the two methods?

Is special plant selection the best way or not?

Anyway, I am getting a few years into several lines, I have been thinking I should save seed from multiple plants, and throw all of them in the mix together to keep some genetic diversity, however, I am not sure I have to either.

October 14, 2015	#1
AKmark Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Wasilla Alaska Posts: 2,010	Long term seed saving Is it best to save seed from our favorite plant of a given variety year after year, or should we use seed from multiple plants? I am wondering about severe inbreeding, that you could never find in nature? Over the course of 30 generations, or so, will you see a difference in health and vigor between the two methods? Is special plant selection the best way or not? Anyway, I am getting a few years into several lines, I have been thinking I should save seed from multiple plants, and throw all of them in the mix together to keep some genetic diversity, however, I am not sure I have to either.