Seed Saving?

[Woodchuck]

"Do not save seeds from...the first fruits of large fruited (tomato) varieties."

What's the logic behind this rule?

Thanks!

~Woodchuck

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by Woodchuck

"Do not save seeds from...the first fruits of large fruited (tomato) varieties."

What's the logic behind this rule?

Thanks!

~Woodchuck

I'm not sure who you're quoting on that, but I think I see what's behind it.

The first blossoms for many varieties can be large, as in doubles and triples, called megablooms by some, and can lead to large fused fruits. So one fruit could have seeds in it from several blossoms that might have been cross pollinated seperately b'c large blossoms are attractive to insect pollinators.

Pollinators are after the pollen as a protein source b'c tomato blossoms don't have nectar.

The result then, could be one fruit with possibly some self pollenized true seeds as well as crossed seeds from one or more of the other blossoms in that megabloom.

I never save seeds from early fruits anyway, large or small fruited varieties. But that's b/c where I live, pollinator activity is highest early in the season. And although I expect self pollenization to occur most of the time, I prefer to harvest later fruits for seed saving.

And just a guideline, not a rule, as far as not saving seeds from first large fruits..

Fact is, I can't think of any rules when it comes to growing tomatoes.

[TZ-OH6]

But in my area pollinator activity is low at the beginning of the season so cross pollination percentage is lowest for my first fruits.

[Woodchuck]

The statement is on Seed Savers Exchange retail seed packets.


~Woodchuck

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by Woodchuck

The statement is on Seed Savers Exchange retail seed packets.


~Woodchuck

But did you find my answer to be reasonable in explaining the comment from the SSE seed pack?

And yes, TZ, for many folks pollinator activity is lowest early in the season.

Each person has to have some idea of what's best in their own local area as to pollination activity in terms of possible X pollination.

[fourtgn]

I saw this thread and started wondering if I need to unbag my first blossoms! Then I decided to leave the bags and just see what happens. If I need to redo it for a different batch of seeds, I will. Right now there are not a lot of pollinators in my garden, this is also a time when I have the time to be bagging and noting what I've done, etc. LOL

Thanks for asking about this though, and thank you Carolyn for speaking to this.

fourtgn

[Woodchuck]

Originally Posted by carolyn137

But did you find my answer to be reasonable in explaining the comment from the SSE seed pack?

It sounds reasonable to me.

I've been saving tomato seeds since 1980 and have never run across that particular statement anywhere else. (It's obviously bad practice to save seeds from off fruits)
I find it a bit troubling that on the limited space on the back of a seed packet...they chose that statement without an explanation, possibly confusing folks, when there are many other more important points that could have been made.

A bit more constructive criticism....

I'm a renewed member of Seed Savers after an almost 20 year absence.

I placed a small order from the retail catalog. I received the order with no problem.
What I think is strange and wasteful, IMHO, is the fact that a couple days later I received a receipt mailed first class.
That receipt could have and should have been included with the order.
Non-profits have a limited amount of resources and are always looking for more support.
Seems that it would benefit everyone involved if they became a bit more efficient.

Just my 2 cents.

What do you think?


~Woodchuck

[Woodchuck]

Actually, I was emailed a receipt when I placed the order, there was no need whatsoever for a paper receipt.


~Woodchuck

[TZ-OH6]

SSE also has this absurd statement about potatoleaf varieties...

"Saving Seed: Cross-pollination between modern tomato varieties seldom occurs, except in potato leaf varieties which should be separated by the length of the garden. Do not save seeds from double fruits or from the first fruits of large-fruited varieties. Pick at least one ripe fruit from each of several plants. Squeeze seeds and juice into a strainer and wash, spread on a paper plate and dry."

Also, SSE should not be dealing with the modern varieties that resist cross pollination (specific commercial breeding lines starting in about 1965).


You can unravel the statement so that it makes some sense..."Some modern breeding lines of tomatoes have reduced incidence of cross polination, but Potatoleaf varieties are not amongst them..." but that still does not address regular leaf heirloom plants.

Also, what is to prevent bees from cross pollinating all of the potatoleaf varieties that I put at one end of my garden? My garden is only 30 ft x 40 ft, but the bees in my area can and do easily fly from one end to the other.


They really need somebody to redo their seed saving statement.

[carolyn137]

Woodchuck and TZ, I think your comments are very reasonable AND constructive.

I'm going to let this thread go a bit and then transmit it to the appropriate person at SSE.

The PL varieties crossing more frequently is just plain wrong but has been in the older literature, and the bit about taking ONE fruit from each of several plants, well, if I start on that I'd have to comment on the other stuff and both of you already have so I won't.

Double receipts is also wasteful of cash when cash should be given TLC these days especially, IMO.

Since I've ordered other stuff from the Public catalog but not tomato varieties, I've not seen what's written on the seed packs.