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Corryton, TN

Because of clones I have the opportunity to attempt a hand pollinated cross between the plants that have produced my largest tomatoes. Is it worth the effort or should I just collect the open pollinated seeds from the big one?

7/15/2014 5:58:26 PM

Allentown, PA

It depends on whether or not you think it's worth it to you.

In my opinion it's always a good thing to have a new cross for the giant community to grow out in order to advance and diversify what we all strive for.

I for one would like to see you attempt the cross.

What would you attempt to use as strains for this?

7/15/2014 7:56:53 PM

Corryton, TN

My thoughts are to use clones from the plants that grow/grew my 2 largest regardless of pedigree. My logic is that they all grew under as near identical conditions as I can produce so they should be my best plants for this season. I know there could be some variance for bloom selection and pollination efficiency but the proven end result is what seems to matter.

Could these two have done better for a good grower? Surely. If I got the max out of them I figure it's a waste. There would have to be loads of seeds out there better than these can produce. Maybe one needs to do this with the best of a much larger group for it to be effective, if it can be?

7/15/2014 8:49:55 PM

Allentown, PA

If we think in terms of tomato genetics, the seeds that grew the recent tomato that you had shown here would be just as apt to produce a very heavy tomato as any other seed that has been grown in the past that has produced very heavy tomatoes.

The key to a seeds success is that it it comes from a large strain of tomato and that the particular strains ability to create mega blooms in quantity has been proven.

A desired seed line like the Delicious Hunt strain started out just like any other seed. The growers of that seed happened to find the seed desirable to continue it's particular line. As a result we have a very good seed that produces mega blooms consistently.

The seed doesn't depend on the growers ability to create a mega bloom. The subsequent tomato growing from that bloom depends on the growers ability to maximize it's capability to grow large.

7/16/2014 7:20:20 AM

The North Coast

I was thinking the same line of thought with tomatoes and breeding just a few days ago. Essentially, it would double the rate (or better) of genetic progression.

7/16/2014 3:53:47 PM

Springfield, VT

Tomatoes generally are self pollenating and you would need to physically cross them to create new lines.

7/16/2014 4:08:41 PM

The North Coast

It sure would be nice to be able to breed that one special plant that threw a big four banger at you with another proven plant in your garden. Clones would help this...along with magnifying glasses and really pointy scissors.

7/18/2014 5:49:07 PM