Tomato plant problem

rms1

We are complete novices when it comes to growing fruit and veg however, this year we have more currants, strawberries and raspberries than we can handle not that we are complaining.


The problem is with the tomatoes. In previous years, we have grown our tomatoes from bought seeds but this year we tried something different. Because we are so keen on the Piccolino variety, I dried some seeds from supermarket bought tomatoes last year. I now have 12 fine strong plants that look to be thriving but there are very few yellow flowers showing at the moment and on some plants there are none.


Am I expecting too much too soon or have I done something wrong?


Thanks

Mojisola

Isn't Picolino an F1?

rms1

There lies my ignorance....F1????

Mojisola

F1 hybrids are produced by breeding two specific varieties together.

When you save seeds from F1 hybrids, you will get F2 hybrids which won't have all the characteristics of the F1 - you will get a variable selection of seedlings, some of which may have useful characteristics and some will be rubbish.

andrewf75

yeah as above the plants may not end up the same as the "parent", usually best to buy seeds unless you're sure they are viable.

But even so my tomatoes are only just showing flowers, its still quite early...see what happens.

rms1

So what you are saying is that we should not expect the crop (if we get one) to taste like the piccolino and they may or may not be nice to eat

rms1

Thank you for the help. Maybe I am expecting too much too soon, at least there are some flowers.

Mojisola

rms1 wrote: »

So what you are saying is that we should not expect the crop (if we get one) to taste like the piccolino and they may or may not be nice to eat

Yes. The plants you're growing will be a mixture - it's an interesting experiment to do and some of your plants may produce great fruit but it's a gamble.

rms1

Mojisola wrote: »

Yes. The plants you're growing will be a mixture - it's an interesting experiment to do and some of your plants may produce great fruit but it's a gamble.

Ah well, we will have to wait and see what happens, the only gamble is the time and effort.


Thanks for your advice
Rob

Davesnave

Mojisola wrote: »

Yes. The plants you're growing will be a mixture - it's an interesting experiment to do and some of your plants may produce great fruit but it's a gamble.

On the other hand.....

I am growing some F2 'Floridity' from last year's saved seed to see what happens.

So far, the plants, started later than the genuine article, have the same habit and the fruits have the characteristic shape, so there's only taste left.....:)

At 32p a seed it's an experiment worth trying, but as above, it's a gamble.

PS. Don't try this with promiscuous, space-hungry plants, like squashes!