Sungold F2 Size Question

AlittleSalt · September 2, 2015

I have read about F2 tomatoes and that, who knows how they will grow out. Since Sungold is so popular, I'm sure a few other million of us has tried growing Sungold F2s.

To-the-point -"Do the Sungold F2 plants produce smaller tomatoes than F1s?"

Growing conditions: I planted these F2 Sungold in-garden in mid July at about 12" tall. They are now 4' tall and have been producing flowers and tomatoes for three weeks now. It took about 35 days from transplanting to flower and fruit.

The last week of August until now - there are yellow/gold tomatoes that actually taste better than the F1s, but they are very small in size.

Here's a picture

joseph · September 2, 2015

In my experience, F2 Sungold fruits might be somewhat smaller or somewhat larger than F1 fruits. That trend continues into the F3/F4 with fruits from 0.5" to 2.5" in diameter. Taste of my later generations is not up to Sungold standards... I have been selecting for size, not for taste.

Sungold F3/F4

Sungold F3/F4

WhippoorwillG · September 2, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by joseph

In my experience, F2 Sungold fruits might be somewhat smaller or somewhat larger than F1 fruits. That trend continues into the F3/F4 with fruits from 0.5" to 2.5" in diameter. Taste of my later generations is not up to Sungold standards... I have been selecting for size, not for taste.

Sungold F3/F4

Sungold F3/F4

Wow Joseph, I have seen some larger Sungold derived fruit, but that second picture is something else! I am inspired to go back to the F2's to find something larger.

Very interesting.

jmsieglaff · September 2, 2015

My Mom grew two Sungold F2 volunteers this year. The 1 plant is very similar to the F1 in size, taste, and color. The other is larger, more meaty and red, decent flavor, but not great.

AlittleSalt · September 3, 2015

"In my experience, F2 Sungold fruits might be somewhat smaller or somewhat larger than F1 fruits. That trend continues into the F3/F4 with fruits from 0.5" to 2.5" in diameter. Taste of my later generations is not up to Sungold standards... I have been selecting for size, not for taste."

This gives me even more to think about when saving F2s in-general. Sungold has proven to grow and produce in a spring and a fall garden this year. Except, it's not fall yet - it's still summer with 98F days. I'm wondering if I could if I could grow F3-4- and 5 next year? Of course, I'll have to try.

September 2, 2015	#2
joseph Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Cache Valley, N/E of The Great Salt Lake Posts: 1,244	In my experience, F2 Sungold fruits might be somewhat smaller or somewhat larger than F1 fruits. That trend continues into the F3/F4 with fruits from 0.5" to 2.5" in diameter. Taste of my later generations is not up to Sungold standards... I have been selecting for size, not for taste. Sungold F3/F4 Sungold F3/F4 Last edited by joseph; September 2, 2015 at 10:26 AM.

September 2, 2015	#4
jmsieglaff Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Southern WI Posts: 2,742	My Mom grew two Sungold F2 volunteers this year. The 1 plant is very similar to the F1 in size, taste, and color. The other is larger, more meaty and red, decent flavor, but not great.

September 3, 2015	#5
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	"In my experience, F2 Sungold fruits might be somewhat smaller or somewhat larger than F1 fruits. That trend continues into the F3/F4 with fruits from 0.5" to 2.5" in diameter. Taste of my later generations is not up to Sungold standards... I have been selecting for size, not for taste." This gives me even more to think about when saving F2s in-general. Sungold has proven to grow and produce in a spring and a fall garden this year. Except, it's not fall yet - it's still summer with 98F days. I'm wondering if I could if I could grow F3-4- and 5 next year? Of course, I'll have to try.