Sungold Dehybridization

Dust off those Punnett Squares. 

We're doing some science!!

Isn't it funny how in school this stuff was boring but when you run into it in the wild it's kinda interesting stuff??

Watch yourself around me. You just might learn something. 

Don't they look delish??

Today's lesson is on the humble tomato. 

This here is the best darn tomato you'll ever eat.

This is a Sungold tomato.

An indeterminate orange cherry tomato that is sweet and delicious and thin skinned and a huge favorite around here. I plant a lot of Sungolds every season because most are eaten warm in hand walking around the garden.

Sungolds are, unfortunately, also hybrids. As a hybrid tomato, the seeds from the fruit will not grow true to seed. They may have a different size or shape or taste - if they germinate at all. This is opposed to an heirloom or open pollinated plant where the seeds saved will grow true and by saving seeds you have an unending supply that you can save or share so that others can have your delicious tomato too! That is one way we get so many different kinds of tomatoes.

By saving seeds, you are breeding plants that are accustomed to your climate and rainfall and sunlight. Being that we only save the seeds from the best plants, we continue to reinforce adaptations and, eventually, you could wind up with your very own kind of tomato! 

Learn more about seed saving through Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance. Ujamaa Seeds is based in MD and specializes in "culturally significant seeds". They also put a large emphasis on growing and saving seeds and offer tons of good information.

The Original and the Remix

Last season was the first that I saved seed. It's incredible to think that the seeds that I am growing this year are better suited for my garden than the ones that I grew last year. And the longer I grow them, the better they'll be. 

Anyways, back to Sungolds. This year, I am beginning a process to try to grow a true-to-type Sungold tomato. Not only will this be a delicious Sungold, but it will be a delicious Sungold accustomed to the growing conditions in my garden. I'll have to come up with a cool name for it, as it will be my own unique tomato!

In order to do this, I'm going to keep seeds. Now we already know that the seeds may not be true. BUT some may!

We're going to see various traits from the different tomatoes involved in the creation of this strain. By saving the seeds from the tomatoes with qualities I'd like to see - cherry sized, orange, sweet - i will eventually manage something that (hopefully) grows true to type as an open pollinated Sungold. Generally, it takes 5-6 generations to achieve something true to type and I'm starting the second generation - the first from saved seed. In order to increase my chances of getting what I want, I planted lots and lots and lots of tomatoes. Plus it's my first year with saved seed so i planted thickly. As you can see, it wasn't needed

plants on plants on plants

If I gave you tomato plants

First of all, thanks!! You're the best and i hope you get yummy tomatoes (even if they aren't Sungolds)! If they do grow into Sungold - orange and very sweet cherry tomatoes - please let me know!!

I need to collect 1-2 ripe tomatoes from you to save seed from for the next generation. 

Alternatively, you can save the seeds! It's as simple as leaving something to get slightly moldy on your counter. 

You'll want to start with a perfect specimen.

The ideal tomato is not to be eaten but to be sacrificed to create more perfect tomatoes!!

Seed Saving Instructions:

These instructions are for wet seeds.

Tomato seeds are in a gelatinous coating that protects the seed from germinating before the perfect time. To save the seeds, we need to remove that coating.

First, you'll take that perfect tomato and smush it up!!

Leave the pulp and juices but remove any big chunks of fruit or skin. Place the seeds and goo in a ramekin or shot glass filled with water and leave on the counter for a few days. Leaving the seed in the water allows that gel coating to ferment and fall away. After 3-7 days (depending on the temp in your home, among other conditions) mold will begin to form on the top of the water and some seeds will float while tomato goo will sink. Scoop out the floating seeds and gunk and rinse them off, then spread evenly on a coffee filter, napkin, or paper towel to dry. I typically write the strain on the napkin and after a day or so once everything is completely dry fold it over and put it all in a labeled envelope. Store that seed in a cool, dry place and you're good to go! 

I only just realized how easy saving seed was the past few years. Last growing season I even grabbed dead beans still clinging to the vine and planted them and they grew!!

I hope this information is as freeing to you as it was to me. 

What else have you learned lately that blew your mind?