Truth in advertising? (a Burpee story)

[HudsonValley]

I received the packet below in a recent seed order. I seldom use Burpee tomato seeds, but I really liked their "Black Truffle Hybrid" variety when I got some seeds from a friend and grew it in 2016. (Plus, they were having a sale and I do like some of Burpee's squash varieties...) I did not save seeds because the variety name includes the word "hybrid."

To my surprise, the packet of "Black Truffle Hybrid" tomato seeds is clearly labeled "heirloom." I called Burpee's customer service line to clarify, and was told that "Black Truffle Hybrid" is in fact an heirloom variety. I could have saved my own seed! (A few months ago I called them about their "Brandy Boy Hybrid," too, and was told it was a "stabilized hybrid." I've posted elsewhere on these boards about that.)

I hope Burpee enjoyed having me as a customer. I'll stick with less misleading seed suppliers from now on.

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by HudsonValley

I received the packet below in a recent seed order. I seldom use Burpee tomato seeds, but I really liked their "Black Truffle Hybrid" variety when I got some seeds from a friend and grew it in 2016. (Plus, they were having a sale and I do like some of Burpee's squash varieties...) I did not save seeds because the variety name includes the word "hybrid."

To my surprise, the packet of "Black Truffle Hybrid" tomato seeds is clearly labeled "heirloom." I called Burpee's customer service line to clarify, and was told that "Black Truffle Hybrid" is in fact an heirloom variety. I could have saved my own seed! (A few months ago I called them about their "Brandy Boy Hybrid," too, and was told it was a "stabilized hybrid." I've posted elsewhere on these boards about that.)

I hope Burpee enjoyed having me as a customer. I'll stick with less misleading seed suppliers from now on.

I could tell you so many stories about misrepresentation by Burpee,if I could remember them.

They started naming varieties as being new, but weren't at all, just using popular heirloom varieties as a come on.

I know there's a thread here at Tville all about it, but I thought that they stopped doing it.

So what was the info on the seed pack as to date when grown and packed and germination?

Carolyn

[HudsonValley]

Here's a photo of what's stamped on the back of the packet. It's not much information, but it does say packed for 2017.

I didn't buy other tomato seeds with my order, and I don't know how many of their "hybrid" varieties are also packaged with the "heirloom" label. It's definitely misleading, if not downright dishonest. (Granted, I only paid $2 for the seeds, but I feel like I got ripped off.)

[Gardeneer]

To me "Hybrid " Means that at one point it was created by crossing 2 or more varieties. It also means that it did not exist prior to its creation. so its is a hybrid.

You can have a 10 year old hybrid that has been stabilized.
But if it says "F1 Hybrid " then it means that it has not been stabilized.
JMO

[clkeiper]

I still haven't found a consistant 4th of July replacement. so, I will have to keep buying them from the company. I was so disappointed with the brandyboy this year though. on the other hand I also grew Honey Delight. I was very pleased with it but will save seeds to see what I get from the next generation of seeds. maybe it is and maybe it is not a hybrid.

[HudsonValley]

Originally Posted by clkeiper

I still haven't found a consistant 4th of July replacement. so, I will have to keep buying them from the company. I was so disappointed with the brandyboy this year though. on the other hand I also grew Honey Delight. I was very pleased with it but will save seeds to see what I get from the next generation of seeds. maybe it is and maybe it is not a hybrid.

I've only grown a couple of early types, but Siberian has been the tastiest so far. Next year I'm trying one called Glacier, which is supposed to do well in cooler areas: http://hudsonvalleyseed.com/glacier-tomato.html
(PM if you'd like to swap for a couple seeds of each; both are OP varieties.)

I was also disappointed in Brandy Boy. I grew it side-by-side with Brandywine, Sudduth's and while they tasted pretty much the same to me, neither suited my tastebuds and won't be returning.

Honey Delight looks pretty! How's the flavor?

[clkeiper]

Honey delight is fabulous. Not 4 oz as the seed packed estimates though. I didn't plan on it being 4 oz either from the photo they have on the packet. It is clearly a large cherry tomato. Approx 1.8 oz per tomato.

I grow the 4th of July for it's size and flavor. I can fit about 9 of them in a pint basket for selling.

[slugworth]

For me the 4th of july hybrid seeds disappeared a few years ago and they replaced it with the independence day hybrid.Then the 4th of july seeds made a comeback but are pricey @$4.29 per pack.Plants from saved seeds produced and I was actually eating a few on july 4th.
I cloned the plant and have it indoors now.

[HudsonValley]

So, I looked up Chef's Choice Orange since it's being offered by Tormato as one of this year's MMMM hybrids. Here's what Burpee had to say: "This hybrid-heirloom, adapted from the tasty but late ‘Amana Orange’ will quickly be a favorite to sink your teeth into." Source: http://www.burpee.com/vegetables/tom...rod022789.html

"Hybrid-heirloom." Huh?

[AlittleSalt]

Hudson Valley. A hybrid-heirloom means who knows what you will get
Sold as is.

[zipcode]

Originally Posted by Gardeneer

To me "Hybrid " Means that at one point it was created by crossing 2 or more varieties. It also means that it did not exist prior to its creation. so its is a hybrid.

You can have a 10 year old hybrid that has been stabilized.
But if it says "F1 Hybrid " then it means that it has not been stabilized.
JMO

So everything is a hybrid. I guess it is basically true, since a variety is never stabilized, no matter how many generations without any outside mutations (which do happen), you can never reach 100%.
That doesn't mean it's not misleading advertisement, since this is not how most people refer to things. It is there clearly to discourage people to save their own seeds (and succeeded).

[Father'sDaughter]

From looking at the two examples, I would say it is probably comes down to how and where the word Hybrid is used. If it is just added on as part of the name of the variety on a pack that also says Heirloom, then I think it is safe to say it is a stabilized hybrid that is now an OP variety. Sneaky!

And yes, F1 is what is used to identify a non-stabilized Hybrid, and I do not see that in either description.