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Growing Tomatoes
plantslayer

parthenocarpic tomatoes?

17 years ago

I read an article recently that said the tomatoes developed at Oregon State by Dr. Bagget (and possibly many heirloom types that have not been studied carefully) could be parthenocarpic, meaning that no fertilization has to take place for fruit to be produced.

This of course is one reason (perhaps the biggest reason?) that these plants produce fruit so early.

I am wondering about this because I grew tomatoes early, under a tent (tunnel cloche) recently. I have four Siletz plants (one of the parthenocarpic varieties) and three indeterminate plants. All plants are doing great in terms of health and foliage, but the Siletz of course has a ton of set fruit, while the indeterminate variety (Cosmonaut Volkov) seems to be just getting started. It is probably 4+ feet tall, but the bottom of the 2 feet or so of the plant had no blooms; I am not sure if it experienced blossom drop, or if it never even developed blooms down there- I couldn't find bare blossom nodes, but it was hard to keep an eye on the plants when they were in the tent.

My tunnel cloche/tent kept things pretty warm when outside night temps were around 42-43*, and daytime temps were high 50s. It was at least 10+* warmer in the tent during the day, and no doubt a good deal warmer at night too. However, I did worry about it being very damp and steamy inside the tunnel cloche- we were lucky no diseases struck or anything like that. SO I am wondering if either the temps or the high humidity inside the cloche delayed bloom production or set for the indeterminate and conventionally reproducing plants, while the Siletz did well because they are parthenocarpic and environmental factors are not as big a deal for setting fruit.

Somehow using parthenocarpic tomatoes seems like cheating. :)

Comments (5)

  • 17 years ago

    Parthenocarpic varieties have their place, but NOT in my garden. LOL

    Dr Baggett, now retired, developed the parthenocarpic varieties mainly for the PNW where Springs are very cool and not conducive to good self pollenization.

    And yes, they set fruit without pollination so there are few to no seeds, especially in the early fruits, but fruit development is abnormal, obviously.

    It's been found that some of these varieties can give malformed fruits and the interior flesh can be mealy.

    The use of Blossom Set also induces parthenocarpy.

    Since I'm a seed saver and not especially interested in growing early varieties and b'c of all the possible outcomes of growing them, I don't. The only one I've grown is Oregon Spring, one of the ones Dr. Baggett bred.

    But if it works for you that's all that matters. ( smile)

    Carolyn

  • 17 years ago

    I'd rather grow something that requires pollination. I guess I feel it would be more of an accomplishment, and supposedly the tomatoes are higher quality. I just wish I knew if planting out early netted benefits or not... since Siletz does not pollinate, I can't tell if my technique will work well for other varieties. At the very least it looks impressive right now, when everyone else's tomato plants are so puny here. :)

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  • 17 years ago

    I grew Siletz this winter (in OH) and they do indeed produce fruit without the need of birds, bees or intervention.

    As far as the taste, I love it and a couple of people I gave plants to said it was one of the best tasting toms they have had. But you know about tastes - everyone's is different.

    As for the Cosmo not having blossoms, it could be because the Siletz was bred to set fruit in cooler weather, mid-50 degrees is warm enough for it. That's one reason I want to raise them in a Greenhouse this winter - I won't have to keep the temps near as high.

    Mike

  • 17 years ago

    Carolyn wrote "Parthenocarpic varieties have their place, but NOT in my garden. ..."

    But -- to use Carolyn's words for a different purpose -- when you live "in the PNW where Springs are very cool and not conducive to good self pollenization" you do what you can so that you can homegrown tomatoes!

    So I surely do envy all of you folks who are already enjoying your harvest. My best hopes for first tomato is sometime in August. (sniff)

    Beyond that, good to see you back and posting regularly, Carolyn.

  • 17 years ago

    I think Seattle is much better off than Portland this year... we had a pretty warm May and a very nice, clear June. I just got my first three tomatoes! Siletz, of course. The real badge of honor here is to get tomatoes before July 4. I didn't quite hit that mark, but I am happy to see things ripening early for me this year. Even if I did use "cheat" tomatoes. :)

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