trying to cross pollinate tomato

[jimbojetset]

Hey lovely people!

Been trying to do a bit of cross breeding but they haven't taken as yet.

I've been;

Finding a flower that's about to open...

Removing petals, etc until just the sepals / stigma / ovum are left

Trying to collect pollen from other plants by tapping on to glass and brushing onto the freshly bothered afore mentioned flower

But none have taken...

Is there something I'm missing? Should I be able to see the pollen?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

X

[zazen999]

Crossing Tomatoes

Does this help?

[chris]

Brilliant link from that page on the genes with great examples

[Flummery]

It took me a couple of dozen ruined tomato flowers to get one to take!

[jimbojetset]

Brilliant stuff thanks Zazen!

Yup I've ruined a fair few now!

Though I think I've got the hang... I just don't think I'm getting enough pollen from the male... I'm going to try again tomorrow... but any thoughts would be great!

[Flummery]

I seem to remember it's best to emasculate in the morning and transfer pollen on a calm afternoon. Dunno why though?