are there any potential problems with growing veggies/fruits from the seeds of store bought veggies/fruits?

Question

i heard somewhere that because some are genetically altered they dont grow well the second time around? or something?

Answer 1

You can plant them and they will probably grow, but they will not give you the highest yields or quality that you might expect from store bought, packaged seeds. Most veggie and fruit farmers are growing hybrid varieties to get the most production and quality possible in order to get top dollar for their efforts. So yes, you may be planting from F1 hybrid seed and this is a no-no, if you want the same top quality fruits and veggies. Below is a link with a more scientific explanation. Pay particular attention to "number" (1).. but read the whole thing, it's quite interesting and educational. Good Luck!
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/vegetables/seed.html

$Billy Ray$

Answer 2

One potential problem with certain types of fruits is that they need to cross-polinate with other plants to produce fruit (this is particularly true with melons and cucumbers). If you have a number of plants that started from seeds that were in the same fruit, you could end up with deformed fruit. It's kind of like children from an incestuous relationship have a high likelihood of being born with birth defects. Seeds in packages come from different fruit. So, it's nearly impossible that you would have two plants from seed from the same fruit.

Another thing to consider is some seeds will not sprout until they have had a chance to dry out first. Although, if you've ever grown tomatoes and a rotten one falls to the ground, you will have dozens of tomato seedlings sprouting up from that location the next year. But, for lots of different types of fruits, the seeds have to dry out and there's something about getting them wet again that spurs germination.

Also, consider that packaged seeds are from fruit/veggies that are from a top-quality stock and only the best seeds are harvested. So, there's more likelihood that you'll have bigger, better plants that will produce bigger, better fruit.

Answer 3

I have grown everything from pepper seeds to tangerine seeds from produce that I bought at a grocery store, and all of them have grown fine. It's definately worth saving your seeds.

Some hybrids will turn out tasting sour or bitter. Other than that if you are just growing bell pepper seeds or cut off the top of a carrot, it should grow fine. Either the seeds will grow or not grow, that's your only real concern.

Also read on websites how to grow them from seeds before you try it. Every seed takes a different number of days to sprout, different amounts of light/water, etc. There are lots of people growing plants from store-bought plants on the Net sharing information.

Answer 4

Being genetically altered does not affect the viability of the seed. The problem you have heard about is because most of the seeds you purchase are from hybrid plants. Since they are a product of selective breeding. They, sometimes, do not reproduce true. This does not afffect the first year plants.

Answer 5

Yes. They are Genetically Modified Organisms so that those who control the food make farmers dependent on their seeds instead of their own seeds.

You have to get them from an organic seed catalogue and store your own seeds.

Those who control the food chain control the world. Its really scary what they are doing to us on a global scale.

Answer 6

I grow tomatos from store bought seeds, and they seem fine.

Answer 7

Yes, that's true. You should buy special seed from a catalog to grow fruits and vegs.

Answer 8

I"ve done that with a few veggies for several years and have had no problems. It's less expensive and more fun--if, you are a gardener. Try it and good luck!
Johnny