Accidental Cross Pollination??

tryno12 · August 19, 2019

Just how much unwanted cross pollination goes on in my garden when I'm not looking

Seems I either mis-mark a few plants every year or the pollinators are goofing me up?
I end up with some plants and fruits with not normal characteristics.
Pete

zipcode · August 19, 2019

It depends on the garden. And when you save the seeds as well. I like to save more towards the end of the season, the first flowers are usually quite visited by bees. I calculated my crossing chance to about 5% max based on number of crosses I got over the years.

Solanum315 · August 19, 2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by tryno12

Just how much unwanted cross pollination goes on in my garden when I'm not looking

Seems I either mis-mark a few plants every year or the pollinators are goofing me up?
I end up with some plants and fruits with not normal characteristics.
Pete

I plant very densely since I have fairly modest gardening space. I also have a lot of bees. I would say that somewhere around 15-20% of my fruit end up cross pollinated unless I take measures to prevent it. Just bag the blossom on the fruit you want to save seed from..

**Lee** · August 19, 2019

Can you describe the characteristics that are varying?

Leaf shape, color, size, etc...

If you are getting recessive trait characteristics when you expect dominant (ie. yellow fruit with red expected) then it's a mis-mark or seed mixup.

Also, your cross pollination probability is directly related to your pollinator activity. What do you observe in your garden?

My experience is the exact opposite of zipcode's, so it does depend on your situation.

Lee

tryno12 · August 20, 2019

Hi Lee, have to think it thru, have different areas w/different pollinator activity and dwarf area and indeterminate area ( 75 varieties and 100+ plants). My post was in general could I expect different colored fruits etc and you answered it : probably dummy me

mistake w/label so, I have to investigate a bit to see about leaf type, fruit size and shape.
Thanks
Pete

Lindalana · August 20, 2019

I start my plants early in the WOW so I attempt to collect first fruits of each plant. My theory it is most protected seeds. Have seen plenty of bees.
This year many of my first fruits had no seeds. I wonder why?

tryno12 · August 20, 2019

Lindalana, what does this mean: "I start my plants early in the WOW so I attempt to collect first fruits of each plant"

??

Don't know why no seeds in some of your tomatoes.

Pete

August 19, 2019	#1
tryno12 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Indianapolis Area 46112 Posts: 857	Accidental Cross Pollination?? Just how much unwanted cross pollination goes on in my garden when I'm not looking Seems I either mis-mark a few plants every year or the pollinators are goofing me up? I end up with some plants and fruits with not normal characteristics. Pete

August 19, 2019	#4
Lee Tomatopalooza™ Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NC-Zone 7 Posts: 2,188	Can you describe the characteristics that are varying? Leaf shape, color, size, etc... If you are getting recessive trait characteristics when you expect dominant (ie. yellow fruit with red expected) then it's a mis-mark or seed mixup. Also, your cross pollination probability is directly related to your pollinator activity. What do you observe in your garden? My experience is the exact opposite of zipcode's, so it does depend on your situation. Lee __________________ Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put one in a fruit salad. Cuostralee - The best thing on sliced bread.

August 19, 2019	#2
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	It depends on the garden. And when you save the seeds as well. I like to save more towards the end of the season, the first flowers are usually quite visited by bees. I calculated my crossing chance to about 5% max based on number of crosses I got over the years.

August 20, 2019	#5
tryno12 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Indianapolis Area 46112 Posts: 857	Hi Lee, have to think it thru, have different areas w/different pollinator activity and dwarf area and indeterminate area ( 75 varieties and 100+ plants). My post was in general could I expect different colored fruits etc and you answered it : probably dummy me mistake w/label so, I have to investigate a bit to see about leaf type, fruit size and shape. Thanks Pete

August 20, 2019	#6
Lindalana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 857	I start my plants early in the WOW so I attempt to collect first fruits of each plant. My theory it is most protected seeds. Have seen plenty of bees. This year many of my first fruits had no seeds. I wonder why?