How to know which Tomato to save seed from?

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TomatoNut95
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How to know which Tomato to save seed from?

#1

Post: # 126889Unread post TomatoNut95
Fri Jun 28, 2024 7:53 pm

Ok so if you're growing a variety that can get 1 - 2 lbs but you only get a fruit say around 9 - 10 oz, is it not a good idea to save seed from the runts of the plant? Can that cause 'runted' genes to carry?
Anne

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Shule
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Re: How to know which Tomato to save seed from?

#2

Post: # 126893Unread post Shule
Fri Jun 28, 2024 8:10 pm

It depends.

If your plant is a smaller strain or a cross, I might worry. If it's just not used to your garden and growing conditions, I wouldn't worry.

If all the fruits are huge except one, and you save seeds from the little one, I might worry about that a little. If they're all the same size, it probably doesn't matter as long as the plant itself has good genetics.
Last edited by Shule on Fri Jun 28, 2024 8:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: How to know which Tomato to save seed from?

#3

Post: # 126894Unread post Shule
Fri Jun 28, 2024 8:13 pm

On the other hand, I personally believe that it's good practice to grow several plants, if you're worried about the longevity of your seed's genetics. Selecting plants with desirable traits is supposed to be a lot more effective than selecting fruits with desirable traits (on average; there are still benefits to both; and yes, you shouldn't ignore an abnormally large fruit on a plant).
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Paulf
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Re: How to know which Tomato to save seed from?

#4

Post: # 126900Unread post Paulf
Fri Jun 28, 2024 9:53 pm

Not often do I grow more than one plant per variety and lately I have not been saving seed but rely on some the better seed sellers (those are the folks with which I have had very good results from) to send good seeds true to variety. When I do save seeds the tomato that fits the description of the variety I want.

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MissS
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Re: How to know which Tomato to save seed from?

#5

Post: # 126905Unread post MissS
Fri Jun 28, 2024 11:37 pm

Yes it depends. If it is the smallest fruit on the plant, no, I would not save seeds. If your plant is producing smaller fruit due to environmental stress, then I wouldn't worry about it and I would save seeds hoping that they are as described the next generation. If you feel that you have an off-type or a weak plant, no I would not save the seeds. Ideally you would save seeds from your fruit that was true to type.
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JRinPA
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Re: How to know which Tomato to save seed from?

#6

Post: # 126909Unread post JRinPA
Sat Jun 29, 2024 1:33 am

I am in the "save from the biggest" camp.

I have also heard, save from the most productive plant.

And save from the longest lived healthy plant, aka last man standing.

1-2lb tomatoes, well, that is big, for me that would be only Cuostralee and SOO. I might save from 10 oz fruit on a very healthy SOO plant late in the season, but in general I save from the biggest tomatoes and that is usually the first or second truss on the plant with a thick healthy stem.

slugworth
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Re: How to know which Tomato to save seed from?

#7

Post: # 126917Unread post slugworth
Sat Jun 29, 2024 7:57 am

On precious plants I clone.
"A chiseled face,Just like Easter Island" :lol:

TomatoNut95
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Re: How to know which Tomato to save seed from?

#8

Post: # 126935Unread post TomatoNut95
Sat Jun 29, 2024 9:43 am

20240629_092912~2.jpg
These are my 2 biggest Omar's Lebanese on the plant but they're also small. Environmental issue was a major thing here I'm sure because of the excess rain the plant recieved while young and growing and I wasn't able to provide much food for it. (Plus I paid more TLC attention to my Nicky and Westerlund :oops: )
Just wondering if it's save to save seed from them without worrying I'll cause runt genes to carry.
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Anne

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TX-TomatoBug
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Re: How to know which Tomato to save seed from?

#9

Post: # 126976Unread post TX-TomatoBug
Sat Jun 29, 2024 3:33 pm

Gee, I wish my tomatoes were that "small" :lol:
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Re: How to know which Tomato to save seed from?

#10

Post: # 126995Unread post TomatoNut95
Sat Jun 29, 2024 9:04 pm

20240629_191444~2.jpg
I was afraid the fruit was gonna end up being 10 or less ounces, but it weighed in at 12.6 oz and according to Google that wouldn't be considered a runt weight.
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Anne

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Paulf
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Re: How to know which Tomato to save seed from?

#11

Post: # 126996Unread post Paulf
Sat Jun 29, 2024 9:11 pm

TomatoNut95 wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 9:04 pm 20240629_191444~2.jpg

I was afraid the fruit was gonna end up being 10 or less ounces, but it weighed in at 12.6 oz and according to Google that wouldn't be considered a runt weight.
Anne, the seeds arrived in perfect shape...Thanks. I just can't figure out how to PM so this message will do.

Paul

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