This season I crossed a determinate (Principe Borghese) with a few indeterminate types. Im growing out the F1 generation now and hope to mass select promising F2 lines next year to eventually stabilise.
The determinate trait is from a recessive gene, so I should be expecting about 25% of the F2 generation to be determinate. Does anyone know if there are signs during early growth (ideally at seedling stage) that allows you to pick out the determinate plants and avoid wasting space growing out plants you don’t want?
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Good question, according to the EPIC TOMATOES book by Craig Lehouller, “Determinate varieties look identical to indeterminate varieties as young seedlings”. He also wrote “There is a genetic component, however, that signals an end to vertical growth, emergence of flower clusters at the end of flowering branches, and massive fruit set over a very concentrated time span”.
I don’t think you will be able to tell them apart that early but I wonder if Potato Leaf vs Tomato Leaf has a role in guessing determinate vs indeterminate? Probably no but not 100% sure.
I also wonder if it’s possible to graft/root cuttings of determinate varieties indefinitely like as if it was an Indeterminate?
I also wonder where would stick tomato fit in? It grows straight up like a Stick with tiny curled leafs (Still needs support tho). This website selling the seeds Says it’s an Indeterminate.
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I cannot tell the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes at seedling stage. I can tell the difference between plants that are likely to go on to be healthy and vigorous and runts that are going to struggle at best.
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That’s a very interesting mutation. If I had seen that plant in a garden I would have guessed it had some kind of herbicide damage.
It also reminds me of certain strains of cannabis which have been selected to express similar growth mutations.
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Yea, it kind of does! It’s hard to tell herbicide damage easily & quickly but not impossible & there are always clues. I just wonder how you would prune the stick tomato? Like regular Indeterminate tomatoes?
I would guess you just have to chop it above a node, and I would assume it would branch as a Y like the ones in that first picture.
Would also be an interesting candidate for the “upside down” hanging tomato baskets.
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