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To bag or not to bag
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Posted by LynLyn VIC (My Page) on Fri, Nov 4, 05 at 15:20
I'm just trying to understand a few things. As my tomatoes are starting to flower I wonder about bagging them or not. I understand the concept and read the instructions on how to do it on previous threads.
I also saw on some posting people offering a specific seed variety mentioning that they didn't bag the flowers/buds. In that case is it correct to still call those seeds with their "true/original" name? What do you think?
I dont't know all the tomato "lingo" but I hope you understand what I mean.
Have a nice day :) |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: To bag or not to bag
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Although tomatoes self-pollinate happily, and usually before the flower has opened, cross-pollination can and does occur although there's a lot of disagreement about just how much this happens - from 5% to 40%.
If you want to be certain of saving pure seed then bagging is the only way when growing several varieties close together. The bags need to go on at the bud stage with any already opened flowers removed. They can come off once it's clear that fruit has set. Any buds or flowers that remain on the truss should also be removed at this stage and the truss marked somehow (a bright ribbon?).
When people offer seeds and specify that they were'nt bagged they are just alerting you to the fact that there may be some crossed seeds.
Hope this helps. |
RE: To bag or not to bag
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Ray, thanks for your reply I understand what you're saying. I guess what I was trying to say was how do you know that the seeds you got to start with came from a "bagged" bud/flower. Does everyone who don't bag mention it? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth doing the bagging if you are unsure of the source.
LynLyn *frustrated with her english writing skills* |
RE: To bag or not to bag
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| You're English writing skills are way better than my French writing skills! I see what you mean. If you don't trust the source, then it may not be worth the effort. On the other hand, bagging is so easy that if it were me, I'd do it anyway. Chances are it will be fine and if not, you just might end up with something really interesting.
Ray |
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