Crossing with Solanum habrochaites (another POV)

[Mark_Thompson]

I’m still slowly plugging along with these plants. I’ve shared the habro heart with a bunch of friends and they all enjoyed it and said it “doesn’t taste like a tomato.” I’ve had poor germination trying to grow out the next generation though, so will have to see how that shakes out.

Also got a generic looking regular leaf white cherry from my KBX cross. Probably be a good candidate for a winter grow out.

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[Doffer]

I like the green stripes in this tomato.

[Mark_Thompson]

I like the green stripes in this tomato.

Yeah shape and bottom stripes are fun. Will see if they persist

[bower]

Those stripes are simply awesome.

[Mark_Thompson]

My favorite little habro heart threw a megabloom. What a fun fruit.

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[Mark_Thompson]

Growing out the above Habro Heart F2 this winter. I have four or five plants out in the garden and I’m going to plant fourteen in pots under my eaves, two per two gallon pot.

Basic potting soil, drip irrigation on a timer, cardboard mulched, single leader pruning. This will be my biggest grow out of anything yet so it will be fun to see what kind of diversity I get.

I’m telling myself now that I’m not going to get attached or sentimental, weak plants will get yanked, once I get to taste a fruit and save some seeds, yanked. Then I’ll have plenty of time for a second grow out before next summer, probably try the next generation of a potato leaf one.

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[Frosti]

I’m telling myself now that I’m not going to get attached or sentimental, weak plants will get yanked, once I get to taste a fruit and save some seeds, yanked. Then I’ll have plenty of time for a second grow out before next summer, probably try the next generation of a potato leaf one.

Yes, you can tell yourself that now ... but that won't change what's probably going to happen anyway ...

[Mark_Thompson]

Yes, you can tell yourself that now ... but that won't change what's probably going to happen anyway ...

Touché

[Homegrwoninillinois]

Have not posted in reply but have been enjoying reading about your journey.

[Mark_Thompson]

Habro Heart F2 seeds are poor germinators, and the ones that grow are poor fruit setters. Poor doesn’t mean zero though, got a few prospects.

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[Doffer]

Stripes are gone?

[Mark_Thompson]

@Doffer I thought the same thing, but went out today and seems like they’re filling in.

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[bower]

Mark, have you considered doing some side crossing as a backup to capture the interesting genetics in this line?
Poor germinators and poor fruit setters raises the threat of losing the line.
I would suggest to stir the pot another time, get some pollen from these and cross it into a mother plant that is a good fruit setter and any other complementary traits (taste, stripes?, fruit size, etc).
I am not suggesting to discontinue the original line, but to create one or more side lines with this parent.
You may find something in the side lines that has desired traits similar to this parent without the weak fruiting, and which could then be used as a backcross to the original line if you need to, just to bring in the fruitful traits with minimal disruption of the unique qualities.

Granted that I have a binder full of seeds with many sideline crosses not grown out, but it is a backstop that I wouldn't omit for something so unique as this hab cross.

[KaguyaCloud]

I find that poor germinating seeds need a period of both drying and freezing(24 hours minimum) to weaken the seed coat. My Rosella Cherry breeding project seems to be very stubborn at germinating unless they're put in the freezer.

[Mark_Thompson]

@bower Oh nooooooo, you’re gonna turn me into a crazy tomato cross seed hoarder

I understand your point though. What would be a good candidate in your opinion? I could also cross it with any of the brothers and sisters, that would let me maintain the 1/4 habro. Is that a viable alternative?

@KaguyaCloud Good idea, I’m of the mindset that if it won’t sprout without that much work then I probably don’t want to be growing it though. I saved a lot of seeds so I think I’ll be alright.

[bower]

This is what you do, Mark: Look around your garden, make a list of all the plants that might make an interesting parent for the cross, including any bros or sibs, especially if they are better fruit setters. Also, consider 'crosses of opportunity'. Just happened to be an easy mother plant to work with? Why not. Think about traits you don't want to lose, fruit size is hardest trait to recover so you better cross with some big ones. Stripes? Anyone with stripes to keep those onboard? And so on... Then make ALL the crosses you can possibly imagine might be useful, interesting or fun.. or just easy to do. If you're gonna be a hoarder, go big or go home!

[Frosti]

Habro Heart F2 seeds are poor germinators, and the ones that grow are poor fruit setters. Poor doesn’t mean zero though, got a few prospects.


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So you've hit the same hurdle I encountered with my Habrochaites line ... very poor fruit set on the vast majority of plants.

[Mark_Thompson]

@Frosti Yup, just like, but I’m only working with 1/4 habrochaites, and my last generation was almost universally good setters of fruit. Go figure

[Mark_Thompson]

I’m telling myself now that I’m not going to get attached or sentimental, weak plants will get yanked, once I get to taste a fruit and save some seeds, yanked. Then I’ll have plenty of time for a second grow out before next summer, probably try the next generation of a potato leaf one.

Yes, you can tell yourself that now ... but that won't change what's probably going to happen anyway ...

Didn’t set fruit by the time they hit four feet tall

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[Mark_Thompson]

Well Ms @bower, I didn’t go as crazy as you suggested, but I believe I have my Habro Heart F2 x Rebel Starfighter Prime. Had help, junior loves running the tooth brush for pollen collection. Probably be an interesting cross IF I ever choose to grow it out.

I have another 6 or 8 Hab hearts in the grow tray about 2” tall so I’m going to keep growing them. The fruits that are set in my garden are on both a habro type thin plant, and one one with rugose leaves.

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