Is this a Determinate or a Freak?

[dfollett]

My understanding is that the difference between determinate and indeterminate is this: the main stem of the determinate terminates with a flower cluster while the main stem of the indeterminate continues to grow. The determinate often will send out side shoots that themselves eventually terminate with a flower cluster.

I ran into an interesting plant today as I was sorting through some F3s of dwarf/micro crosses I'm playing with. I've never seen one like it. It definitely has the dwarf gene as it is a very stocky thick stemmed 'tree-like' plant.

The first photo shows the main stem clearly terminating with a flower cluster straight up out of the center of the main stem. At the point that cluster starts, three new stems extend symmetrically and continue well past the initial flower cluster. There are clusters of flowers at the top of each of the three side stems, but it is too early to know if they will terminate or continue growing.

What do ya'll think - determinate?

[dustdevil]

I vote determinate.

[Salsacharley]

That is really interesting. I have no idea what you have there but time will tell. That is a very robust flower cluster at the center. Do you know the lineage of this plant?

[dfollett]

It is an F3 from a cross I made in which the mama was an F4 micro multiflora cross of Red Robin X Rose Quartz Multiflora and it's papa was an F1 cross of Brandywine X Margaret Curtain. The F2 parent of this was a 24" multiflora dwarf with small red beefsteak fruits.

I think that would be written - (Red Robin X Rose Quartz Multiflora F4) X (Brandywine X Margaret Curtain F1) F3

[Gardeneer]

From what I see in the first picture , it is not an indication of dterminate characteristic.
In determinants each and every stem will eventually end with the final cluster but it will take several leaf nodes before it happens.
What I see there seems like the main branched out into 3 stems. Probably one of them is the main and the other 2 side branches. This happens in indets too. But in the form of "V" fork.
What is unusual about yours is that also a truss grew at the same point.This is unusual because trusses grow between 2 leaf nodes.
I consider it a rarity.