"Saxman" wrote in message
news
On Tue, 18 Apr 2006 09:01:16 +0100, michael adams wrote:


Beefeater, if thats what you're talking about, are currently
£3.25 on Sutton's own website.

http://www.suttons-seeds.co.uk/

Sorry I can't leave individual links as the prices are in frames
on the page.

Homebase were right, but I still think it is expensive for tomato seed.

....

That part is answered in the part of my post you snipped.

Beefeeater, if that's what you're talking about is an FI
hybrid which would make it more expensive.

FI hybrids are more expensive to produce as they use the pollen
(anther) and (ovaries) sigma from two separate plant strains
which need to be hand pollinated.

...

An
old colleague of mine used to tell me to go to any sewage works around
springtime where one can find lots of different tomato plants. (The seed
does not break down in the gut).

....

That's all very well if you're not bothered about what type of
plants you'll grow.

In any case anyone seriously bothered about having to spend money
on tomato seeds would be best advised to buy different varieties
of non-hybrid seed in the first year, grow one or two of each
and then save the seeds from the best one, to grow on the
following years.

Save loads of the seeds in the freezer. Thaw out enough for a
year at a time as that will prevent the build up of diseases
if seeds are simply saved and replanted the following year.

Should have added: a sample can be chitted on moist kitchen
towel in warm conditions each year to test their continued
viability prior to sowing.

After a few years repeat the process. Save and freeze.

If eventually hit by a virus then switch to another variety.




michael adams