Re: [tomato] Creating your own heirlooms?
ChuckWyatt/Md/Z7 (Tomato@GlobalGarden.com)
Tue, 30 Mar 1999 19:48:49 -0500
Hi Louis,
I know your frustration. Have you checked out my web site which has about
400 varieties, give or take a few as some are sold out?
http://www.heirloomtomatoes.net I must say that there is an internal
problem and the site will be unavailable for about 24 hours. After that,
check out my descriptions. "Your" 'mater is probably there. What is your
location?
Maybe I can help more than you seem to think.
As an example, I would love to see a Stupice of about twice its present
size or more. The way to accomplish that is to save seed from the largest
fruit each year. Upon growing out that seed, again save the largest seed
etc. This is called selective breeding as opposed to hybridization. I did
it with Brandywine for seven generations and now have a Brandywine that is
earlier, smoother and more disease resistant that the base strain from
which it comes. Varieties acclimatize and evolve in amazingly short time
periods.
It's tough for me to see a reason to breed new varieties, particularly by
obvious neophytes. <G> I have over a hundred varieties whose seed I can't
sell but I keep rejuvenating the seed so it's kept viable. This is where
I'm coming from. If somebody would like to adopt a variety I would be
overjoyed to accommodate him/her.
Good gardening,
Chuck Wyatt