QUESTION: If we were to grow hybrid vegetables from seeds, would the seeds from the veggie be able to grow plants the following year. What information I have found states that heirloom seeds are required if you want to replant the new seeds in following years. Is this true?

ANSWER: You can save seeds from non-heirloom plants and even from hybrids. The hybrids will not set seed the same as was grown, though. The seed will usually revert to one of the parents used for the cross-pollination.

Since hybrids are usually considered superior to the two plants used to produce the seed, you would most likely be disappointed in any you grow from saved seed.

If the plants are not hybrids then the seed will produce veggies the same as their parents, whether or not they are considered "heirlooms".

Thanks for visiting The Plant Coach!

Happy Holidays

WAYSIDE GARDENS:

Snow Rice-Cake Plant, Arisaema sikokianum

Snow Dwarf Mockorange, Philadelphus Snow Dwarf

Snow Queen Siberian Iris, Iris sibirica 'Snow Queen'

Snowberry Coreopsis, Coreopsis auriculata 'Snowberry' PP#18,560

Snowdrift Astilbe, Astilbe x arendsii 'Snowdrift'

Snowflake Creeping Phlox, Phlox subulata 'Snowflake'

Elf Mountain Laurel, Kalmia latifolia Elf

Snowcap Shasta Daisy, Leucanthemum x superbum 'Snowcap'

Merry Christmas Amaryllis, Hippeastrum Merry Christmas

White Christmas Caladium, Caladium bicolor 'White Christmas'

White Christmas Hosta, Hosta 'White Christmas'

Winter’s Snowman Ice Angels® Camellia, Camellia x 'Winter's Snowman'

PARK SEED

Snow Pea Dwarf White Sugar

Snow Mass Honeydew Melon

Snowtopia Bacopa, Sutera cordata Snowtopia

Snow Storm Spiraea, Spiraea media Snow Storm

Snow Crystals Sweet Alyssum, Lobularia maritima Snow Crystals

Snowberry Tomato

Ice Ballet Butterfly Weed, Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet'

JACKSON & PERKINS:

Iceberg Floribunda Rose

Snowcone Shrub Rose

Snow Queen Hydrangea (PP#4,458)

Shooting Star Hydrangea

Christmas Cactus

Christmas Decorated Spruce Tree

Wouldn’t this collection of "Winter" plants be feel-good in the heat of summer?

---Posted By Coach Anne December 24, 2008---

QUESTION: How can I get my 35 yr.old wisteria to flower ? Thank you ...

ANSWER: While the wisteria is dormant, cut it back to side nodes that look swollen. If you don't find anything except small nodes, cut it back by about half. Then the following winter, you should find swollen nodes somewhere along the stem Cut the vines back to just ahead of these swollen nodes, leaving the nodes in place. They are the flower buds.

The vines/trees need to be pruned every year in order to force abundant flower buds to set.

Another, more drastic way, is to root prune the tree or vine as soon as the ground has thawed enough. Using a very sharp shovel or spade, cut straight down all around the wisteria about 3-4 feet from the base of the vine or tree. This is a drastic measure. Be careful not to cut too close or you could kill the plant.

Give the gift of a garden. This Christmas gift really lasts all year. Check your city for community gardening plots. You can purchase the use of a plot to grow vegetables and/or flowers in these city spaces set aside for gardeners. These community gardens are perfect for people with no space for gardening at their home, apartment, or condominium. The yearly fees are usually not large. From Moss in the City at the National Gardening Association: "Community plots give gardeners the chance to grow more crops and cut flowers than they might on a small balcony. And these plots offer a great chance to get involved in the local community and meet some kindred spirits."