Just wondered, is it ok to put different varieties of tomatoes in the same growbag/trough? I would like to save some seed but I can separate some of them off. No idea about how they pollinate etc.
Cheers :)
They self-pollinate so you should be OK. There are very few pollinators under glass to disturb that.
There is no problem growing different varieties of tomatoes in a growbag. You harvest the fruits, and that is fine.
Where you will have a problem is saving seeds from these tomatoes. Whether they be F1 or heritage varieties. They will cross pollinate, and what you will end up with is a 'mixed bag'.
You could end up with a 'new variety' that will make your fortune. On the other hand you could end up with a load of rubbish.
Sorry to be so negative.
valmarg
Quote from: valmarg on April 15, 2008, 20:01:49
You could end up with a 'new variety' that will make your fortune. On the other hand you could end up with a load of rubbish.
Sorry to be so negative.
valmarg
Well I plan to put the ones I want to save seed from in separate containers at opposite ends of garden, so that's not a problem hopefully. And if not, who knows.......I could be rich! lol
Thanks for the replies. :)
Bees can cross pollenate for distances of two miles or more so don't suppose that keeping varieties of any fruit or veg separate will prevent it happening.
The realseeds website says it depends on what the flowers are like:
QuoteTomatoes
Most modern varieties of tomato are self pollinating, and will not cross. The anthers on tomato flowers (which make the pollen) are fused together to make a tight cone that insects cannot enter. Usually the stigma (the receptive surface for receiving pollen) is very short, and so is located deep inside this cone of anthers. No insects can get to it and the only pollen that can fertilise it comes from the surrounding cone of anthers.
In a few varieties however, the stigma is much longer, sticking out beyond the cone of anthers. In this case, insects can get to it, and there is the chance of cross-pollination. Varieties with longer stigmas include potato leaved tomatoes and currant tomatoes. To avoid crossing only grow one variety with exposed stigmas. The double flowers which are sometimes formed first by many beefsteak tomatoes also often have exposed stigmas, but later single flowers will be normal.
their full seed saving instructions here:
http://www.realseeds.co.uk/seedsavinginstructions.doc
What an excellent link citychick.
Something else for Joe Swift to ignore!
http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments1_homepage.html
Thanks for that citychick. Dope brain here forgot she had that seed saving info on her pc already! lol ;D
Quote from: PurpleHeather on April 16, 2008, 08:00:49
Bees can cross pollenate for distances of two miles or more so don't suppose that keeping varieties of any fruit or veg separate will prevent it happening.
Honeybees can travel a lot further than that if they want to. But they don't visit tomatoes; they're extremely good at ferreting out the best available sources of nectar, and a few toms certainly aren't going to be that. Seriously, they do self-pollinate.