Forum area for discussing hybridizing tomatoes in technical terms and information pertinent to trait/variety specific long-term (1+ years) growout projects.
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#1 |
Cross Hemisphere Dwarf Project™ Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 3,094
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This is some info I typed up previously, which may be of interest. Craig and I were asked how we cross pollinate in one of the Dwarf Project threads, but I thought my answer would be better here in Crosstalk. There are probably as many ways of making crosses as there are people who try it, so the following info is just some of the methods I've used so far.
Emasculating the flower: I tend to choose a flower that is the first of its cluster because I read that it's the best one to pollinate (in general). I have tried removing the petals and anther cone at various stages from before the bud has even started to open to when it is just starting to open its petals, and I think that it's better to wait for it to open slightly. The anther is still quite soft and immature, and looks slightly yellow. It's a good idea to have a sharp thumb nail to pinch off some of the sepals (as a marker), but I always try to leave at least 3 sepals on top of the flower to protect the stigma/stamen from the sun.
Collecting pollen: I usually only choose my male parent on the day of collecting pollen for the first application because I choose a plant with the most flowers that I think are at a good stage. I always use an electric toothbrush for gathering pollen. I try to apply pollen for 3 days in a row, and prefer to do it when there is shade on the flowers, which is either early in the morning or in late afternoon for my garden. Sometimes there is more pollen in mid morning, and sometimes not until later, but I always try the morning first so that I can both pollinate the flowers before any insects come visiting, and also gather the excess pollen before they do.
Mark the new Hybrid:
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Truth is colourful, not just black and white. PP: 2005 |
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Arkansas zone 6b
Posts: 441
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Thank you Patrina. This old boy needs all the advice he can get!
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#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Black Hills SD Z4
Posts: 89
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My first attempt was a total washout. If tomatoes depended on me to pollinate them, they'd be extinct! Thanks for the tips!
-Ed |
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