product of 2nd generation seeds

Last year, in my first attempt, I obtained a random assortment of seeds from a seed bank, and ended up with 3 mature female plants, two Indica dominants and one Sativa. I had intentionally let last year's crop pollinate so I would have more seeds with which to experiment. This year, having learned a lot, and presumably with seeds acclimated to my area, I am having MUCH better results.

The question is, since I don't know what strains I started with, and don't know who pollinated who, should I expect the quality of the harvest to be significantly different than last year's? The plants are WAY bigger and healthier.

Next year, now that I have a better idea of what I'm doing, I'll grow only one strain with seeds from a seed-bank so I will know what I've got. Genetically, the seeds from that crop should be the same as the parents, and no degradation in the quality should occur, correct?

BTW, it is nice having hundreds of seeds to experiment with!

If your first runs quality was up to your standard then the vast majority of the future generations should be at least on the same level. Sometimes new crosses show the hybrid vigor people talk about, and can boost everything in the plant...smell, yield, color, potency. If you were to continue pollinating/selecting for say 3-5 more harvest, you will have a new stabilized strain all to yourself. Sounds like you have a very fun project to me.
Always a mind fuck when you don't know the lineage exactly, but thats how many of the greats were created.

I may be confused so forgive me if I am but Breeding your own seeds can result in less potent progeny . If the male and female you choose to pollinate with arent as good as the parents the original breeder used, your seed wont be as good.... i dont know how much youve read up on making seeds but its kinda tricky to do it and get better genetics. Good luck tho, if you need any help let me know

And let's not forget that you'll see tons more variety in your pheno's, which isn't necessarily a good thing. I guess it's fun to play around with breeding but I think the originals will be better quality 90% of the time......

I kinda just went from my perspective but I agree it is all about the selection process. If you don't know or have much experience you could go down the wrong path. But half of the "originals" that breeders put out are F1's or F2's, so it's up to the grower to pick anyways. In todays market a lot of breeders/companies don't put the time in to make a true breeding strain not just a cross. I love to have something no one else has but breeding is hard and a big commitment so I see the dilemma.