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?

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

On precious plants I clone.

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 )
Just wondering if it's save to save seed from them without worrying I'll cause runt genes to carry.

Gee, I wish my tomatoes were that "small"

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.

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