HL2601's 88xF3-3

[HL2601]

Cross Name	88xF3-3
Plant Number or ID	88xF-3-1
Date Harvested	2/25/2020
Estimated DTM	85 days
Plant Height	13"
Growth Habit	compact, sometimes multiple growth stems, gets bushier and continues to produce, MMF but not all flowers produce fruit. Many mega blossoms produce the bi lobed looking fruits
Leaf Type	carrot leaf
Fruit Color	Red
Fruit Shape	Oblate sm beefsteak
Fruit Size	1.1 oz, .9 oz
Fruit Taste
Fruit Production	good
Lighting Type/Power	inside-grow lights 6500K LED
Container Size	1 gallon
Hardiness
Notes	Love this variety! First of 4 other micro lines to produce tomatoes. Ripe picked tomatoes appear to have long shelf life-9 days. Taste of a full summer beefsteak. First micro I have ever tasted with the whole full taste, plenty of tang.
Seed Submitted To

[HL2601]

[SeanInVa]

Looks fantastic! I've added the info here

Any thoughts on taste?

[dfollett]

Heidi, they look great. FYI, here is a photo of the plant the seed 88X F3-3 came from.

[SeanInVa]

HL2601 You may have mentioned it elsewhere - but, any thoughts on the taste of this one? I assume you will be carrying this one forward based on your report/comments?

[HL2601]

The taste was such a nice winter surprise. Full of flavor! Round summer flavor with an appropriate bit of tang. Not at all sour like some of the other micros. I have the next generation going already from this plant.

Dan it's mother plant is shorter and more bushy than this one is turning out to be. Was the F2 early as well?

[HL2601]

I have a second 88 F3 going too. It is a shorter plant that has also got multiple stems and is red with the same great flavor. Will post pics

[dfollett]

The taste was such a nice winter surprise. Full of flavor! Round summer flavor with an appropriate bit of tang. Not at all sour like some of the other micros. I have the next generation going already from this plant.

Dan it's mother plant is shorter and more bushy than this one is turning out to be. Was the F2 early as well?

Sorry, but I don't know how early the F2 was. I don't do a very good job of keeping track of time from seed to fruit. That is something I am working to improve - but you know what they say about old dogs......

[HL2601]

From L to R-Pot 1, 3, and 4 are my 88xF3s. All are around 9"and CL. So far all have produced great tasting fruit. Saving seeds.

A little set back . I started the first F4 seeds a week ago and none have germinated. Not sure why. Have never had that problem before. Restarted more today.

[SeanInVa]

Plants are looking great! What method(s), if any, are you using to assist pollination?

[HL2601]

My own hot air. I blow on them! Very sophisticated here.?

[SeanInVa]

Ha! I have been tapping on the trusses every chance I get. I don't know if it makes a difference or not - some are fruiting prolificly, and others not so much. This could be due to temps as much as genetics or anything else I suppose. Either way, you seem to be getting pretty good pollination!

[HL2601]

As my kids would be sure to tell you, I have a lot of hot air! And cooped up as we all are...well ...I am lucky to have my tomatoes!!

[dfollett]

They look great. What lights do you use? And how do you fertilize?

[HL2601]

I use a light stand from Gardener's Supply that has two 3 ft LEDs per shelf. I have been fertilizing once per week with a liquid all purpose veggie fert I got as an open box deal at the end of season. I have liked using the liquid.