Interested in Growing a Multiflora Dwarf?

[hl2601]

Dan, I am just starting the first 17 (rrxrq F4)x blue beauty- F2. Since these are the first F2s I have grown out, just making sure...I plant many many seeds and cull mercilessly, right? Has anyone else grown this one yet?

[dfollett]

Originally Posted by hl2601

Dan, I am just starting the first 17 (rrxrq F4)x blue beauty- F2. Since these are the first F2s I have grown out, just making sure...I plant many many seeds and cull mercilessly, right? Has anyone else grown this one yet?

Absolutely correct. Plant as many as you can and be ruthless. Only keep the very shortest, stockiest ones. Even those might get taller than you want. If you don't, they almost certainly will. When I micro hunt in F2s I end up with less than 5 plants out of 100 I originally started.

No one else has grown out that cross. I may have started a few before I realized how many I needed to start to find something worthwhile. I'll be interested in what you find. Hope I sent enough seed

[hl2601]

You sent plenty. I have 120 going Will keep you posted.

[hl2601]

Progress update-maybe this will help others growing out from the F2 stage. If anyone has any helpful pointers or guidance please chime in!

It is really helpful to be growing F2s directly next to other Micro multifloras that are almost stabilized (several micro varieties from F4 to F6s) to better compare desired heights.

Pic 1-on left,F4 seedlings where the height has been more or less stabilized, on right 156 seedlings of a different cross at F2. Both planted 1/7, Growth at 1 week. Time to start selecting for size
Pic 2 A bigger pic showing the same thing but just more of the larger F2 seedlings so you can see size variation
Pic 3- Trim time! snipped 101 seedlings at the base that were too tall.taller-using the F4s as a guide.
Pic 4- Now 49 seedlings left. Notice they are all approx the same height left side and right side. I will wait one more week then select out again.

[dfollett]

Originally Posted by hl2601

Progress update-maybe this will help others growing out from the F2 stage. If anyone has any helpful pointers or guidance please chime in!

It is really helpful to be growing F2s directly next to other Micro multifloras that are almost stabilized (several micro varieties from F4 to F6s) to better compare desired heights.

Pic 1-on left,F4 seedlings where the height has been more or less stabilized, on right 156 seedlings of a different cross at F2. Both planted 1/7, Growth at 1 week. Time to start selecting for size
Pic 2 A bigger pic showing the same thing but just more of the larger F2 seedlings so you can see size variation
Pic 3- Trim time! snipped 101 seedlings at the base that were too tall.taller-using the F4s as a guide.
Pic 4- Now 49 seedlings left. Notice they are all approx the same height left side and right side. I will wait one more week then select out again.

Thank you. You explained that much better than I ever have. When you pot them up, keep 2-3 times as many as you finally want then wait longer than you normally would for final selection. Some will still stretch out more than you want.

[Barb_FL]

Me - I just sent a PM

[dfollett]

It seems over time this thread has morphed into more of a micro thread than dwarf thread. I want to divert back to dwarf for a bit.

I grew two multiflora dwarfs last summer that really impressed me. I'd like to find some folks who would like to grow out a few of one or both and see if we can find something special.

They were both dwarf plants - about 3 ft in height. They both had nice sized cherry fruits - one was red w/yellow stripes - the other was purple w/green stripes. They both were very multiflora, had very heavy production and were extremely tasty (especially the red/yellow one, which was very sweet).

The red/yellow is an F3 and the purple/green is an F5, so they will not necessarily be identical to their mama. I am sure they will be dwarf and quite sure they will be multiflora. They should be multicolored - hopefully similar to their mamas. It is the production and flavor I really want to get fixed. Both plants were very healthy. I don't have many disease problems, so I don't know how tolerant they are to anything.

PM me if you are interested and would be willing to grow out a few, keep notes, report back and return seed from anything that is really good.

Thanks - Dan

[Greatgardens]

How did those dwarfs do regarding splitting? The red/gold sounds very interesting. Size looks great.

[dfollett]

Originally Posted by Greatgardens

How did those dwarfs do regarding splitting? The red/gold sounds very interesting. Size looks great.

I hate those that you can't pick without splitting. I won't save seed from anything that splits badly. That's not to say they won't split under the right circumstances, but these didn't have that problem.

[dfollett]

I am also resurrecting this thread to learn if there is anyone who is still growing offspring of any of the crosses I have sent out. Are there any out there worth growing? If so, what are they like? What generation are they? How’s the productivity and flavor? Either way, thanks for your involvement.

I have several lines I am working with that are approaching stability. My plan is to have some of those ready to ask people to trial next spring. Stay tuned!

In the meantime…….. I’m starting a new micro thread hoping to find a BLT worthy micro. Hopefully, there will be folks interested in helping with that search.

[dfollett]

Thanks Mischka and everyone who has worked over the years to make Tomatoville a pleasant place to learn (with a special thanks to Carolyn).

I have learned a tremendous amount at Tomatoville and have enjoyed the willingness of members to share – information – seeds – whatever. One of the main things I have learned is how much I still don’t know.

I would appreciate it if anyone who is still growing any of the crosses I sent out would contact me at danbfollett@gmail.com if you find anything you feel worth pursuing. I would like to see what has been found and stabilized. I would also be happy to send seeds to others interested in trying to find unique or interesting micros (and maybe a dwarf or two).

[oakley]

Thanks Dan for all you have done and shared.
We will figure something out over the up-coming holidays how to keep going
in collaboration and communication.
I have avoided all the social media venues but will research something simple.
Maybe Instagram since it can be a choice to 'stop by' once in a while...
Pictures are the best documentation for me anyway.

I'll think about it....

[dfollett]

Originally Posted by oakley

Thanks Dan for all you have done and shared.
We will figure something out over the up-coming holidays how to keep going
in collaboration and communication.
I have avoided all the social media venues but will research something simple.
Maybe Instagram since it can be a choice to 'stop by' once in a while...
Pictures are the best documentation for me anyway.

I'll think about it....

Thank you Oakley for your posts. I've enjoyed what you have shared. When you get a chance, I'd like to try those lines you are still growing.

[KLeonard88]

How are things going with the lines? I'm really interested in growing developing multiflora micro/dwarf tomatoes. Tried to buy some this year from a US vendor but they sent me an empty packet with refund on it!

[Andrey_BY]

Any news about this interesting Multiflora dwarf/micro project?