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View Full Version : So what's the deal with Non-Hybrid Seeds?

MrShotShot
May 27th, 2009, 10:07 am
As avid listeners of talk radio, I'm sure we've all heard these ads for non-hybrid seeds and how they are the only hope for the survival of humanity, how the "elite" are hoarding non-hybrid seeds, and how they have been more valuable than gold and will be again, etc.

The specific ad I'm referring to is so rediculous sounding, the first few times I heard it I thought it was a parody.

So what's the deal? Am I really putting myself and my family in danger for not knowing about them? Should I cash out of all of my investments and buy butterbean seeds?
gwhughes
May 27th, 2009, 10:30 am
The seeds they speak of are magical seeds that grow magnificent stalks reaching into the heavens. Legend says, there will be one strong enough and brave enough one day to climb the stalks and free us from the tyranical control of the giant. This young man, it is told, will also receive great fortune for his good deeds, including a GOOSE that layith golden eggs. Oh what a glorious day when the prophesy is fulfilled!!
sironin
May 27th, 2009, 10:41 am
As far as I understand the concept, the idea is to preserve genetically diverse species in the event of a widely used, single strain of a major food crop is afflicted with some disease that the genetically diverse stock may be resistant to. In such an instance, such seeds would become incredibly valuable. That this is at all a possibility in the first place is because genetically modified food crops tend to all be very genetically similar due to competition in the market trending toward a single species.
gwhughes
May 27th, 2009, 10:44 am
Thats better than what I had. Makes sense too:)
birddog1
May 27th, 2009, 10:45 am
As avid listeners of talk radio, I'm sure we've all heard these ads for non-hybrid seeds and how they are the only hope for the survival of humanity, how the "elite" are hoarding non-hybrid seeds, and how they have been more valuable than gold and will be again, etc.

The specific ad I'm referring to is so rediculous sounding, the first few times I heard it I thought it was a parody.

So what's the deal? Am I really putting myself and my family in danger for not knowing about them? Should I cash out of all of my investments and buy butterbean seeds?

Their main benefit is that you can plant the seeds you harvest for a new crop next year. Some hybrids won't produce at all while others will not produce true to the first generation plants they came from. Some say they have better taste, texture, or other traits. You probably don't need to be overly concerned with them unless you have a survivalist streak.
MrShotShot
May 27th, 2009, 11:06 am
So basically this is a legitimate farming issue that has been perverted by conspiracy nuts?
LouC
May 27th, 2009, 11:18 am
So basically this is a legitimate farming issue that has been perverted by conspiracy nuts?

I think it is more that some bright capitalist found yet another way to profit off the FEMA Concentration Camps believer crowd.
birddog1
May 27th, 2009, 1:24 pm
So basically this is a legitimate farming issue that has been perverted by conspiracy nuts?

There are some valid concerns regarding our future food supply but the world is probably not going to end if you don't plant heirloom tomatoes this year.
LouC
May 27th, 2009, 1:25 pm
LINK (http://www.survivalseedbank.com/)

"Indestructible Survival Seed Bank Can Be Buried To Avoid Confiscation."

$149 Until We Run Out!
MrShotShot
May 27th, 2009, 2:30 pm
LINK (http://www.survivalseedbank.com/)

"Indestructible Survival Seed Bank Can Be Buried To Avoid Confiscation."

$149 Until We Run Out!

Ah, it all makes sense now. This is why Obama and Acorn are getting GPS coordinates on every house - they want to come confiscate our SEEDS!!!!!!
CaffeineHat
May 27th, 2009, 2:30 pm
LINK (http://www.survivalseedbank.com/)

"Indestructible Survival Seed Bank Can Be Buried To Avoid Confiscation."

$149 Until We Run Out!
Yeah and you can store them next to your barrels of beans, rice and sugar in your Y2K bunkers. You might also want to collect "Weird Al" Yankovic records, as they'll be the new kurrency.

Seriously though, I've been growing, storing and cooping seeds for years. In most cases, the hybrids provide disease resistence and in other cases, the seeds aren't actually hybrids but are selected from crops that show specific growth traits. I think that this is a bit of a non issue.

Truely, I'm a beekeeper and I'm more concerned with the loss of large numbers of pollinators. IMHO that is a real problem and I'm not a conspiracy theorist.
nortman
May 27th, 2009, 3:03 pm
I think it is more that some bright capitalist found yet another way to profit off the FEMA Concentration Camps believer crowd.
You don't believe? Heh, well you'll be the first one that I haul off for "reeducation".



:mrgreen:
nortman
May 27th, 2009, 3:05 pm
LINK (http://www.survivalseedbank.com/)

"Indestructible Survival Seed Bank Can Be Buried To Avoid Confiscation."

$149 Until We Run Out!
I'm intrigued....must........buy.....seeds....:eek:
LouC
May 27th, 2009, 3:19 pm
I'm intrigued....must........buy.....seeds....:eek:

:))

Better hurry the warehouse is almost empty!
snagswolf
May 27th, 2009, 3:23 pm
With heirloom tomatoes, there's a large subculture out there that continues them, trades and sells them, and creates new ones. You'd be surprised at how large it is, and how many there are. (Heirlooms are a type of non-hybrid.)

As for survivalists, I would guess that if you're into that, keeping non-hybrid seeds would fit in with it.

Survivalists are easy to laugh at, but if something ever does happen, we'll be running to them for advice (and maybe borrow some seeds).