For stacking traits like disease resistance, shelf life and vigor (while retaining high flavor) we are finding that hybrids are a very good way to go. But we still do develop some interesting OP lines to release along the way too.
We are close to releasing 3 cherry tomatoes independently (at least at first). The 3
new hybrids are described here. They won't be generally available until this fall, but we will be allowing folks to sign up for the "rewards" described at the link, until March (if they really want to try the new hybrids this summer).
We are also taking another crack at finding a Red Bumblebee hybrid to release. So far we have evaluated 55 Red Bumblebee type hybrid crosses. We are closing in on just the right cross...
Quote:
Originally Posted by bower
Are we close to the release of some of your new hybrids? 
Are you seeing lots of merit to the hybrid approach, re: combining traits in an F1 that you (maybe) couldn't easily accomplish in a stable OP? 
I must admit I haven't been wowed by a lot of earliness heterosis, in my breeding experiments. It hasn't turned up frequently put it that way. Being a much touted example, I found that a bit disappointing.
OTOH I am having lots of musing about taste and other traits heterosis along the way.
Don't forget, none of my few crosses are even stable yet, so I am years away (or decades, ;or light years  ) from coming to any kind of conclusions. |