What exactly does the term 'heritage seed' mean?

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ncredbird Chuckey, TN(Zone 6b) Aug 20, 2014

That should read what does 'heirloom seed' mean? I purchased seed for the 2014 gardening season for 'Hale's Best Jumbo' muskmelon and it states on the package that it is heirloom seed. I assumed when I purchased it that I would be able to save seed from the melon and have them grow true from seed. I have been working at updating my trade list and when I went to enter it for trading the plant files here at DG say that it will not grow true from seed or will be sterile. Yet when I read articles on the internet there are instructions for harvesting and saving this seed from year to year. Any suggestion on how to proceed with this one?


This message was edited Aug 20, 2014 7:34 PM

This message was edited Aug 20, 2014 7:35 PM

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RickCorey_WA Everett, WA(Zone 8a) Aug 20, 2014

I see "Hale's Best Jumbo Cantaloupe" (also called muskmelon) described as "heirloom", and that SHOULD mean "OP" or "will come true if pollinated by other 'Hale's Best Jumbo'.

If the seed vendor doesn't come and SAY "OP", I try to avoid it. Either it is hybrid, or they don't want me to save and multiply seeds.

http://bonnieplants.com/products/vegetables/cantaloupe/hale-s-best-jumbo-cantaloupe
http://myfolia.com/plants/83834-cantaloupe-cucumis-melo-var-cantalupensis/varieties/8738-hales-best-jumbo

I don't think "heritage" has any specific recognized meaning other than "we really want you to buy this". At least "heirloom" means "OP and old enough to be traditional" unless the marketing department is abusing the term.

P.S. If you're a big fan of melons, check out this site and Dr. Todd Wehner (NCSU – Raleigh)
http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/cucurbit/melon/melonmain.html

Baker Creek always has a great variety of rare melons.
http://www.rareseeds.com/store/vegetables/melon/melons/

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StormHawk Apr 01, 2023

Very Interesting!

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