From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Oak Grove, Mn

I am thinking we need a discussion so I am throwing one out. I have a 7 fused tomato that is going to be flashing colors soon. I want to grow these genetics again but am wondering if there would be advantage to choose seeds from one lobe or another. The lobes are changing colors at different rates from the set dates..in other words certain lobes have a longer DAP than others. Also certain lobes are more fully formed than others. I know that technically the genes of all the seeds should be similar but I am thinking that there might be a difference based on the characteristic of each fused section. What do you think?

9/8/2017 6:39:08 PM

Mn

Southwest bottom corner from the most left lobe - duh - it's science bob

9/8/2017 9:50:06 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

The thought does come up but it's impossible to know. Take and separate seeds from each lobe, label, and grow out the next couple of years. I know you would do or try this.

9/8/2017 11:06:19 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

You are right qtip...i should refer to science for the answer. New plan, roll the tomato across the floor. The section with the highest iron content should end up pointed towards magnetic north with the heaviest end down. Then as you suggest...the southwest bottom corner. Heaviest I can understand..but what do you have against iron? Are you sure I shouldnt choose the northwest bottom section?

I think I will experiment with it Garden Rebel. Maybe take seeds from a bunch of different sections and compare seedling strength. I am thinking that the bigger lobes might be feeding the seeds better. Then I think I might grow two out..from sections that had a big difference in DAP numbers..and see if there is a difference in the next generation.

It will give me something to play with this winter

9/9/2017 7:02:15 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

The size of each portion of the tomato, each section, is most likely determined by how well that particular blossom, of all the fused blossoms making up the tomato was pollinated. So, you can take seeds from any section of the tomato or, for that matter, any other tomato on the same plant, if there were any, and get the same genetics. Good luck.

9/9/2017 8:54:59 AM

Bloomington, IN USA

Genetics should be identical & I highly doubt that you would see a significant difference.
I think that all portions of the blossom are not pollinated at the same time resulting in the lobes maturing at different times.
I remember a similar discussion about the size of the seeds & whether there is a significant difference in the vigor of the seedlings.
I don't recall the outcome of that discussion but I think the general consensus was to favor the larger seed.

9/9/2017 10:25:10 AM