tomato ID

[Cam3xl]

After seeing the work I put into my garden, a neighbor just asked me if I wanted to use her beautiful, flat sunny yard for additional space this year. She offered it to a friend last year, who started with good intentions but let it go in mid July. having limited sunny space on our lot, I jumped at the offer. Went over to measure off and evaluate today and plucked the last of a few tomatoes from, ragged, dying plants with dark plump fruits.

Plant condition not withstanding the maters tasted great. Very meaty, heavy fruit. Sort of an ox heart shape. The smooth round uniform shape and color leads me to believe they are hybrids, but I have no idea what they are. Is there any way to ID a random tomato?

Thinking about saving the seed and replanting next year just for tastes sake, but don't want to wast the time, energy and grow space for something that is not going to reproduce.

[fortyonenorth]

Some tomatoes are very distinct and could be identified easily - Green Zebra comes to mind. But, based on your description, it would be tough to hazard a guess, let alone come up with a definitive ID. My suggestion: buy some OP varieties from a reputable seed seller (browse the boards here for some suggestions) and start with a clean slate next year.

[Cam3xl]

Originally Posted by fortyonenorth

Some tomatoes are very distinct and could be identified easily - Green Zebra comes to mind. But, based on your description, it would be tough to hazard a guess, let alone come up with a definitive ID. My suggestion: buy some OP varieties from a reputable seed seller (browse the boards here for some suggestions) and start with a clean slate next year.

Hey Forty

Already got my OP seeds for next year and space planned. Was just wondering weather to spend the time adding this one. Will hybrid sees truly not produce or is it just a crap shoot as to what you'll get.

[travis]

F2 seeds from a commercial hybrid will produce unless they are male sterile which may occur in a 1:4 ratio with some varieties. And it can be a crap shoot as to what you get compared to the F1 hybrid you took the seeds from.

Why not ask your neighbor what variety this "sort of an ox heart shape" tomato is. Come up with a name and maybe someone will be able to say whether it's hybrid or open pollinated.

[coloken]

Save a few seeds and plant a couple if you have room. Whats to loose?
KennyP

[Cam3xl]

Originally Posted by travis

F2 seeds from a commercial hybrid will produce unless they are male sterile which may occur in a 1:4 ratio with some varieties. And it can be a crap shoot as to what you get compared to the F1 hybrid you took the seeds from.

Why not ask your neighbor what variety this "sort of an ox heart shape" tomato is. Come up with a name and maybe someone will be able to say whether it's hybrid or open pollinated.

unfortunatly the neighbor doesn't know. She just turned on a hose every now and again when her friend couldn't make it by. Had no idea WHAT they were planting in her yard. I think I will follow fortyonenorth's advice and just not bother. A mild curiosity. I may see if I can get it to germinate and give the seedlings to folks with some room to spare.

[travis]

Did the fellow who planted the tomatoes leave the county?

[Cam3xl]

might as well have. They are not speaking anymore because of the condition the yard was left in. Not a big enough deal to get involved in their transaction.

[travis]

True. There's a bunch of good hearts.