Matt's Wild Cherry * Cherokee Purple

[GnomeGrown]

This is one of the crosses I'd like to do this year.

Comments/ Suggestions welcomed.

[Fusion_power]

You will get ph-2 gene from Matt's Wild Cherry, also you get a dose of difficult to overcome cherry size genes. Cherokee Purple will contribute gf for chlorophyll retention, clear skin, and medium large oblate fruit size and shape. In my opinion, the F1 won't be much, but in the F2, you could get some interesting possibilities. Also, a carefully selected F2 backcrossed to Cherokee Purple would allow you to stabilize a somewhat late blight tolerant version of Cherokee Purple.

DarJones

[GnomeGrown]

Thank you for the thoughful reply, Fusion.

I am planning on making my selection from the F2.

[doublehelix]

I have the worst time with tiny little flowers. My thumbs turn into boxing gloves when I am trying to emasculate a bloom. It might be easier, at least it would be for me, to make the Matt's WC the male plant.

[GnomeGrown]

It doesn't matter which "direction" I do the cross in; does it?

[doublehelix]

I don't think it would matter with this cross except for the reason I mentioned. If you have never tried to emasculate a bloom, you will find out quickly what I mean when dealing with a tiny blossom. Generally it does not matter which parent is which, unless you are looking for traits unique to the female to verify a successful cross i.e. PL foliage.

Sometimes it depends on what is being bred and for what reason and whether you are looking for particular markers. Male sterility comes to mind and there are other things that would dictate which one you use as a pollen plant and which one you use as your female plant.

[GnomeGrown]

Thanks for the feedback, doublehelix.

[mensplace]

I love the sweetness of the Cherokee purple and the wonderful distribution/ratio of locules and flesh, but wonder what might be the best crosses to add a little zing and Rutgers-like depth and productivity without running into introducing too many hybrid variables from the parent to be crossed.

[Fusion_power]

A cross with Druzba might be interesting.

[crmauch]

Originally Posted by GnomeGrown

It doesn't matter which "direction" I do the cross in; does it?

Not unless there are cytoplasm (mitochondrial) genes you are trying to pass on. Those genes only come from the female parent. And the other reasons already mentioned.