[travis]

Originally Posted by surf4grrl

Plus, all this nonsense talk about growing throughout the year in greenhouses through the winter to stabilize all these varieties.

Do the math people, do you know how many thousands of square feet you'd need in a greenhouse to stabilize it to an F7? You couldn't do that with what amounts to large unheated sheds/hobby greenhouses!

You need alot of space and alot of plants - for just one variety to stabilize.

First off, there is a method of stabilization called single seed descent, used by many plant breeders.

"I use single seed descent for most of my work ..." [Tom Wagner, http://tatermater.★★★★★★★★★.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=375& page=1 ]

Single seed descent method is applicable and convenient when the breeder is limited in garden or greenhouse space.

Many gardeners today are enjoying untold numbers of heirloom varieties that were selected and stabilized using the single seed descent method.

Edit: Apparently, I posted a hyperlink disallowed for a reason unknown to me. I apologize. My intent was only to document my quote of Mr. Wagner.