self saved tomato seed

[lottie dolly]

do different varietys of tomato seed cross pollinate especially when in the confinds of the green house,sounds a daft question,but if you do not ask and all that,thank you all,

[Flummery]

Most modern varieties don't but some of the Heritage and beefsteak types can do. I've not had it happen myself but it's possible. The shape of the tomato flower makes cross pollination less likely because the female part is enclosed within a cone of anthers which carry the pollen. That's why it's often recommended that you tap your plants so that the pollen falls down the inside of the cone onto the female part. In the beefsteak and some of the other heritage toms, you can see the female bit (stigma?) poking out of the conical centre of the flower. In these cases, insects can transfer fallen pollen from one to another. However, I can tell you that having tried deliberately to cross pollinate about a dozen tomato flowers I only succeeeded once!

[rustylady]

Generally if you tap the plants daily the pollen will come from the same plant and seeds should come true to type. If in the open you could get cross pollination from bees etc, but doesn't usually happen in the greenhouse. However, if you want to get really complicated you can go into the theory of how certain characteristics are passed down through generations (happens in humans and plants) HELP SOMEONE, IT'S NOT DARWIN BUT SOME OTHER PERSON - WHO???. Certain genes are dominant and some are recessive - it's complicated but interesting and is how selective breeding is done to retain "good" characteristics.

[Demeter]

Mendel
Although he was famous for doing it with peas

[Flummery]

Mendel
Although he was famous for doing it with peas

They can't touch you for it!

[womble]

Talking about saving tomato seed. Flummery, you were saying about saving F1 seed on another thread, I've saved some tumbler seed this year. Do you have any idea how they will turn out?
I'm guessing its very hit and miss.

[Flummery]

Well I've saved 2 types of F1 hybrid. Half the Sungolds turned out very like Sungold. I also had 3 from Berry F1 - 2 turned out like the original - one better flavoured than the other. The third was massively different - and very bland. At a guess, you'll have a reasonable proportion that will be like the original. Worth a go, I reckon. If you grow seeds from the best each year and rogue out (or just eat but don't save) any that are dirrerent, within a couple more years you should have a consistent open-pollinated version.

[womble]

Thanks for that. Thats very interesting to know. Its the tumbling action and taste I am interested in. Normally I only grow 2 tumbling plants a year, but thinking about what you say, I might put a few more in pots and see how they turn out, any obviously not tumbling over the edge will get weeded out straight away.

Its good to know it can work out.

[smallblueplanet]

Well I've saved 2 types of F1 hybrid. Half the Sungolds turned out very like Sungold. I also had 3 from Berry F1 - 2 turned out like the original - one better flavoured than the other....

Sounds good. When can your adoring public try some of your Flumgold? Berry sound good too?

[Flummery]

They need another couple of generations to shake down the possible variation. Then they should be good to grow each year as per parentage. (Got a book on it!)

Then of course, if anyone wants to try ....?

[lottie dolly]

thank you flummery for answering my question about toms,your very well informed,pats you on the back,gently,it's just that i have 4 different varietys next to each other,and wondered for the future,have plenty of,in date seeds,thus far to go at.

[smallblueplanet]

They need another couple of generations to shake down the possible variation....

So are this years f2's? I wouldn't mind giving the Flumgold a go.

As for cross pollinating toms have you tried doing something like this Fatalii's Growing Guide but with toms?

[wheatleys wheels]

I have a brief question: I really dont even think about the cross pollination thing.... I'm too new to gardening that I'm just happy if I get fruits. Is it something I really should be thinking about? or does it really not matter too much as long as I enjoy what comes off the plants?

[Flummery]

Yep, F2 this year, SBP. Send me a pm with your address if you'd like to grow a few out yourself. Don't know what proportion will turn out the same as this years. They are self pollinating but you can still get some shake-down of genes from the hybridisation I believe.

[smallblueplanet]

I've still got a few Sungold seeds, so maybe I'll stick with them next year and then blag some f3s off you next autumn? That way you do all the hard work! Well really cos I'm not sure I'll have room to do enough plants to make sure I get a good selection. Hope thats okay?