Saving tomato seed?

[Stan79]

I’ve had a bit of a search on here but need this spelling out in words of one syllable...

If I scoop the seed out of a tomato I grow this year it’s very unlikely to be “true seed” and more likely to be a hybrid of any of the tomato varieties I’m growing... I get that.

If I were to put a clear plastic bag over one truss as soon as it forms flowers, would those flowers pollinate each other and give “true seed”?

If so, does anyone actually do that? Or is it not worth the bother?

Many thanks!

[veggiechicken]

Sorry, Stan - you haven't "got it".

If you know the tomato variety and its not an F1 it is unlikely to cross with others. There are a few exceptions, like potato leaved ones but, basically, the seeds will grow true.

Yes, its that easy.

[Guest]

If I scoop the seed out of a tomato I grow this year it’s very unlikely to be “true seed” and more likely to be a hybrid of any of the tomato varieties I’m growing... I get that.

A lot of tomato varieties aren't hybrids to start with so the seed is very likely to be “true seed” as tomatoes are unlikely to cross (exceptions are potato leaved varieties and fruits from megablooms).

What varieties are you growing?

[nickdub]

If you tell us the name of the variety of tomato you are growing, its likely we can give a more specific answer.

[mrbadexample]

There are a few exceptions, like potato leaved ones but...

Do the potato-leafed ones cross with anything, or only other potato-leafed ones? I ask because I'm growing Dark Southern Nights which is from saved seed, but is the only potato-leafed one I'm currently growing.

[Guest]

Do the potato-leafed ones cross with anything, or only other potato-leafed ones? I ask because I'm growing Dark Southern Nights which is from saved seed, but is the only potato-leafed one I'm currently growing.

Other potato leafed

[Stan79]

Lizzano
Aviditas
Belriccio
Elegance
Shirley
Santorange
Indigo rose
Moneymaker
Coeur de pigeon (saved seed)
Random unknown variety from Facebook!

Thanks all! Such an amazing resource of information and inspiration!

[nickdub]

Don't recognise many of them, but I doubt its worth faffing with Shirley or Moneymaker seeds which are widely and cheaply available. Hopefully someone will be along who is more knowledgeable to comment on the others.

[veggiechicken]

Were they grafted plants, Stan? https://www.suttons.co.uk/Gardening/...lants/list.htm
Most of yours are listed as F1.

[Guest]

Lizzano and Shirley is F1
Aviditas, Belriccio, Elegance and Santorange I have not come across but gurgling shows them as F1 grafted plants. Whether that is the variety or both the rootstock and variety I don't know (I don't know what the legislation is for grafted plants). I wouldn't save from them to be on the safe side

Indigo rose, Moneymaker and Coeur de pigeon are all open varieties and can be saved from easily.

[veggiechicken]

Shirley is F1 too, surely.

[Guest]

Shirley is F1 too, surely.

That sneaky Shirley. I stuck her where she belongs. Thank you for keeping me in check

[veggiechicken]

I've always thought that Shirley had plaited hair with ribbon bows on the end and was the school swot. Can't bring myself to grow them for that reason.

[Stan79]

So most of the ones I’m growing are F1 and not worth saving the seed. Good to know the Indigo one is and the Coeur de pigeon.

Many thanks all.

[MarkPelican]

The ones most likely to cross can be identified by the fact that their stamen sticks out beyond the flower. If you want to save those with any guarantee, then put a mesh bag over the truss (not a plastic bag as this will encourage mould). Even so, I've saved them and (as far as I can tell) they've "run true".

Personally, I've had no problems saving seed from potato leafed varieties or megablooms (in fact there's somebody on the web who deliberately saves seeds from megablooms trying to grow the largest tomato).

As to whether one should grow saved seed from F1 hybrids ... there's nothing to say that they won't produce a decent tomato. After all, the 6000+ tomato varieties were all hybrids once upon a time and when you read about them you find statements like "found in a field of ...", "accidental cross between ... ". So, if you've space and patience, give it a whirl. My problem is lack of space to grow tomatoes of dubious provenance.