Could This Be Sun Gold OP

ContainerTed · July 30, 2015

Duplicate Thread

Fred Hempel · July 30, 2015

Container Ted,

It is not an OP, in the sense that it is not yet true-breeding. It is most likely an F2 that grew from a seed from last year's plants, or an F3 if it grew from an F2 you had growing last year.

What has happened is that you seem to have the genes for the flavor and color aligned in the way you want them. Hopefully the great flavor is not due to the stress of being a volunteer. Stress has a way of fooling us, because the neglected plant often produces the tastiest tomatoes.

Only time will tell if you can keep selecting for the flavor and color (and size) you want. The only way to maximize the likelihood of success is to grow out many plants as you can next year, from seeds saved from the plant you like. Most of them will likely be disappointing, but you may find some that are still top-notch.

Then you will have to select again for 3 or 4 more generations (maybe more) before you will know if you will be successful.

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will be able to get to F7 with a stabilized OP that people like as well as Sungold F1. But there is definitely high reward associated with the high risk that you get to the end with the magical Sungold OP everyone wants.

ContainerTed · October 24, 2015

The bad news is that the frost we just had killed the plants I was trying to get in before the season was gone. We'll have to wait until next season to see if the great taste and color and aroma will repeat yet again.

Sorry, folks.

July 30, 2015	#1
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Could This Be Sun Gold OP Duplicate Thread __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch Last edited by ContainerTed; July 30, 2015 at 08:22 PM. Reason: Duplicate Thread

July 30, 2015	#2
Fred Hempel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunol, CA Posts: 2,723	Container Ted, It is not an OP, in the sense that it is not yet true-breeding. It is most likely an F2 that grew from a seed from last year's plants, or an F3 if it grew from an F2 you had growing last year. What has happened is that you seem to have the genes for the flavor and color aligned in the way you want them. Hopefully the great flavor is not due to the stress of being a volunteer. Stress has a way of fooling us, because the neglected plant often produces the tastiest tomatoes. Only time will tell if you can keep selecting for the flavor and color (and size) you want. The only way to maximize the likelihood of success is to grow out many plants as you can next year, from seeds saved from the plant you like. Most of them will likely be disappointing, but you may find some that are still top-notch. Then you will have to select again for 3 or 4 more generations (maybe more) before you will know if you will be successful. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will be able to get to F7 with a stabilized OP that people like as well as Sungold F1. But there is definitely high reward associated with the high risk that you get to the end with the magical Sungold OP everyone wants. Last edited by Fred Hempel; July 30, 2015 at 07:40 PM.

October 24, 2015	#3
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	The bad news is that the frost we just had killed the plants I was trying to get in before the season was gone. We'll have to wait until next season to see if the great taste and color and aroma will repeat yet again. Sorry, folks. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch