A Seed Saving Question

[Old chef]

I want to save some seeds this year. I read about fermenting the seeds in Dr.Male's book. My question is: to insure you get the biggest tomatoes next year - do you have to use the seeds from your biggest tomatoes this year.

Thank you
Old chef

[KarenO]

Hi there, In a stable variety, the DNA in any seed on the plant should be the same so no, you do not have to sacrifice your nicest tomatoes for saving seed. Save seed from the healthiest best PLANTS possible though
KarenO

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by Old chef

I want to save some seeds this year. I read about fermenting the seeds in Dr.Male's book. My question is: to insure you get the biggest tomatoes next year - do you have to use the seeds from your biggest tomatoes this year.

Thank you
Old chef

Quick answer is no.

Many have tried to upsize a variety by doing what you suggest and such adaptation just doesn't work,since there is biologocal diversity within a specific variety.

One good example is the variety Joyce's Brandywine which Chuck Wyatt developed by taking seeds from the earliest fruits,to get an earlier Brandywine.

He released it and most folks who grew it found it was no earlier than the Sudduth Brandywine he used.

http://tatianastomatobase.com/wiki/B...ine,_Joyce%27s

Only Neil,whom I know well made a comment in the link but listings in the SSE Yearbooks tell quite a different story as more folks listed it over the years.

Carolyn

[Old chef]

Thanks for the quick response. Common sense told me that the DNA would be the same. Didn't know if there was something more specific.

Old chef