Crossing advice needed

crmauch · September 23, 2013

This was the first summer that I attempted to cross-pollinate tomato flowers. I have successfully previously crossed Christmas cacti and garden peas. I am frustrated in that of all the crosses I attempted (I don't have an exact count, but I'd say in the neighborhood of 12-20), I only had two takes. Ironically they were both with a cherry tomato (Super Sweet 100) as the maternal parent (and the 2nd cross, on July 28th was lost to late blight).

I had 4 tomato varieties (Roma, Husky Gold, Golden Jubilee, Super Sweet 100). None of these are central to what I hope to breed with tomatoes, so I considered it a 'practice' year. Next year, if things go the way I hope, I plan to start a breeding program with actual goals in mind.

I attempted to gather pollen two ways:

1) I tried the 'toothbrush' method, with a piece of cardboard covered with black electrical tape. I was only occasionally successful gathering pollen this way.

2) Later in the season, I gathered flowers at the just about to open, dried them for a day and attempted to scrape the pollen from inside of the anther cone (the only problem is this is knowing whether your getting pollen or just stamen bits) and then placed it on the electrical taped cardboard.

I attempted to transfer the pollen in two ways:

1)I either touched the pistil to the cardboard, or

2)I used a animal hair brush (the problem with touching the cardboard to the pistil is that I sometimes broke off the pistil even though I thought I was being gentle.

I rarely attempted a 2nd pollination. When I did, often either the tip of the pistil seemed dry, or it broke off.

I believe I emasculated correctly and at the correct stage.

I did not cover any blossoms before or after pollination.

I did not remove any other flowers from the inflourence.

I'd realy like to use the remaining 'plant' for tomoto production, I realy don't want to have a plant for 'crossing' only.

About 1/2 my crosses were in the morning on Saturday or Sunday, I also attempted many crosses in the evening after work.

What is your percent 'take' (estimates and guesses are fine). Any thoughts of what I am doing wrong?

Thanks,

Chris

September 23, 2013	#1
crmauch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Honey Brook, PA Zone 6b Posts: 399	Crossing advice needed This was the first summer that I attempted to cross-pollinate tomato flowers. I have successfully previously crossed Christmas cacti and garden peas. I am frustrated in that of all the crosses I attempted (I don't have an exact count, but I'd say in the neighborhood of 12-20), I only had two takes. Ironically they were both with a cherry tomato (Super Sweet 100) as the maternal parent (and the 2nd cross, on July 28th was lost to late blight). I had 4 tomato varieties (Roma, Husky Gold, Golden Jubilee, Super Sweet 100). None of these are central to what I hope to breed with tomatoes, so I considered it a 'practice' year. Next year, if things go the way I hope, I plan to start a breeding program with actual goals in mind. I attempted to gather pollen two ways: 1) I tried the 'toothbrush' method, with a piece of cardboard covered with black electrical tape. I was only occasionally successful gathering pollen this way. 2) Later in the season, I gathered flowers at the just about to open, dried them for a day and attempted to scrape the pollen from inside of the anther cone (the only problem is this is knowing whether your getting pollen or just stamen bits) and then placed it on the electrical taped cardboard. I attempted to transfer the pollen in two ways: 1)I either touched the pistil to the cardboard, or 2)I used a animal hair brush (the problem with touching the cardboard to the pistil is that I sometimes broke off the pistil even though I thought I was being gentle. I rarely attempted a 2nd pollination. When I did, often either the tip of the pistil seemed dry, or it broke off. I believe I emasculated correctly and at the correct stage. I did not cover any blossoms before or after pollination. I did not remove any other flowers from the inflourence. I'd realy like to use the remaining 'plant' for tomoto production, I realy don't want to have a plant for 'crossing' only. About 1/2 my crosses were in the morning on Saturday or Sunday, I also attempted many crosses in the evening after work. What is your percent 'take' (estimates and guesses are fine). Any thoughts of what I am doing wrong? Thanks, Chris