Grafting rootstocks- are they hybrids?

Patapsco Mike · April 25, 2020

I struggle to find grafting rootstock seeds annually, particularly DRO141TX and RST-04-106-T. Does anyone know if these are hybrids, or if I could grow one of each out to generate my own seeds? I've searched all over the WWW and can't figure this out.

Thanks!

Father'sDaughter · April 25, 2020

They are highly engineered hybrids if I'm not mistaken. While I recall someone posting a few years back that they were going to try what you're proposing, I don't believe they ever came back to share any results. If you do try it, please let us know what happens in subsequent years.

One alternative that could work is growing out a rootstock plant and taking and rooting suckers from it. You would just need to time it so that the sucker have time to set roots by the time you're ready to graft.

bitterwort · April 26, 2020

I agree with Father's Daughter. I often re-root the rootstock top that I cut off and replace with the scion and then use it to graft on a different scion after it roots. The hitch is that you have to make sure that you don't let any of the rootstock branches/suckers grow after planting out because they will easily overtake the scion, in my experience.

Patapsco Mike · April 26, 2020

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'll be more persistent in looking to buy seeds then. Bummer.

On the bright side, I have had grafting success this year so at least I'll be able to do some testing. Still not sure how much of a difference it will make for me. All I know is that my plants crap out mid-summer at about the same time they used to have me overrun with 'maters. I have to do something. I refuse to grow merely "good" tomatoes. I want my pink brandywines!

b54red · April 26, 2020

I too have had difficulty in finding my favorite root stock seed but I got some this past summer and am using them now so I looked them up. Their website will not lead you to the seed by requesting tomato root stock in the search bar. I finally got it to come up by listing the seed name. Below is a link to the site. You can buy from 50 seeds on up. I now buy the 500 lot so I have plenty for two years at a time in case of a problem like I had this year where all my early seeds died in the greenhouse due to the darkness caused by too much rain and cloudiness all through January and February here. Luckily I had plenty and could start over but it has delayed my planting by quite a lot since I try not to plant any non grafted tomatoes in my garden due to the awful fusarium and RKN problems that I have. This variety also gives some protection from Bacteirial Wilt which can be devastating some years.

https://www.neseed.com/shop/vegetabl...ato-rootstock/

I hope you are able to get the seed at least in time for a some late summer tomatoes and make sure to get enough for next year just in case.

Bill

Father'sDaughter · April 26, 2020

Last time I looked, Johnny's still had DRO141TX in stock. They are the only vendors I've been able to find for this one.

Cole_Robbie · April 26, 2020

I have rst 04 105 t if you want any.

zendog · April 27, 2020

Mike, if you are going to be anywhere near Arlington, VA I'd be happy to give you a few of my grafted extras. I think I have a spare Mortgage Lifter (on DRO141TX), Rebel Yell (on DRO141TX) and Aunt Ginny's Purple (on RST-04-106-T). They aren't exactly pink Branywines but maybe not too far off. I also have some extra dark types and hearts.

zendog · April 27, 2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by Father'sDaughter

Last time I looked, Johnny's still had DRO141TX in stock. They are the only vendors I've been able to find for this one.

I've been getting my DRO from Paramount the last few years. Good prices and they seem to reliably have them in stock.
https://paramountseeds.com/product-c...tstock-tomato/

mcsee · April 27, 2020

Before I retired, we grew rootstock plants at the Horticulture College I worked at. If you can get seed, then go for it, I don't remember the varieties now, but I do remember the plants we grew would often suffer badly from Odema as they got to some size (6ft). As you'd be grafting at a small size, this wouldn't become a problem.

These are usually a wild tomato that would form small fruit, but they are poisonous if eaten.

Patapsco Mike · April 27, 2020

Thanks again everyone! I am all set for this year and next year, just planning ahead. I'll use your suggestions to buy whichever rootstock does the best this summer.

Father'sDaughter · April 28, 2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by zendog

I've been getting my DRO from Paramount the last few years. Good prices and they seem to reliably have them in stock.
https://paramountseeds.com/product-c...tstock-tomato/

Fantastic! Will order from them for next year. Thanks!

April 25, 2020	#1
Patapsco Mike Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 62	Grafting rootstocks- are they hybrids? I struggle to find grafting rootstock seeds annually, particularly DRO141TX and RST-04-106-T. Does anyone know if these are hybrids, or if I could grow one of each out to generate my own seeds? I've searched all over the WWW and can't figure this out. Thanks!

April 26, 2020	#3
bitterwort Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MN Zone4b Posts: 292	I agree with Father's Daughter. I often re-root the rootstock top that I cut off and replace with the scion and then use it to graft on a different scion after it roots. The hitch is that you have to make sure that you don't let any of the rootstock branches/suckers grow after planting out because they will easily overtake the scion, in my experience. __________________ Bitterwort

April 25, 2020	#2
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	They are highly engineered hybrids if I'm not mistaken. While I recall someone posting a few years back that they were going to try what you're proposing, I don't believe they ever came back to share any results. If you do try it, please let us know what happens in subsequent years. One alternative that could work is growing out a rootstock plant and taking and rooting suckers from it. You would just need to time it so that the sucker have time to set roots by the time you're ready to graft.

April 26, 2020	#5
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	I too have had difficulty in finding my favorite root stock seed but I got some this past summer and am using them now so I looked them up. Their website will not lead you to the seed by requesting tomato root stock in the search bar. I finally got it to come up by listing the seed name. Below is a link to the site. You can buy from 50 seeds on up. I now buy the 500 lot so I have plenty for two years at a time in case of a problem like I had this year where all my early seeds died in the greenhouse due to the darkness caused by too much rain and cloudiness all through January and February here. Luckily I had plenty and could start over but it has delayed my planting by quite a lot since I try not to plant any non grafted tomatoes in my garden due to the awful fusarium and RKN problems that I have. This variety also gives some protection from Bacteirial Wilt which can be devastating some years. https://www.neseed.com/shop/vegetabl...ato-rootstock/ I hope you are able to get the seed at least in time for a some late summer tomatoes and make sure to get enough for next year just in case. Bill

April 26, 2020	#7
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I have rst 04 105 t if you want any.

April 27, 2020	#8
zendog Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: VA-7a Posts: 121	Mike, if you are going to be anywhere near Arlington, VA I'd be happy to give you a few of my grafted extras. I think I have a spare Mortgage Lifter (on DRO141TX), Rebel Yell (on DRO141TX) and Aunt Ginny's Purple (on RST-04-106-T). They aren't exactly pink Branywines but maybe not too far off. I also have some extra dark types and hearts.

April 27, 2020	#10
mcsee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Victoria. Australia Posts: 543	Before I retired, we grew rootstock plants at the Horticulture College I worked at. If you can get seed, then go for it, I don't remember the varieties now, but I do remember the plants we grew would often suffer badly from Odema as they got to some size (6ft). As you'd be grafting at a small size, this wouldn't become a problem. These are usually a wild tomato that would form small fruit, but they are poisonous if eaten.