It looks like semi-annually will be the cadence until we have more going on. We still have a small number of participants, and we're still building up some stock and progressing some lines past the F2 stage to allow participants the ability to focus down more.
As you've likely seen, the first round of focus crosses have been posted for both the BLT and MF projects. The intention here is focus the small number of resources currently available to target some lines that showed good potential already for their respective projects. Once we explore those we will start a round 2 with different crosses.
I have not seen many updates over the past few months, but we're also in prime gardening season for most of the participants, and micros tend to get more attention in the off months. For myself, the summer garden is indeed taking up a lot of my free time, as like many of you, I have other "projects" going on and exploring new varieties, etc.
So with that in mind, most of the updates below are related to some I'm growing out for the focus lines
BLT Worthy Project
113X
F3-8 - I kept one plant. The F2 of this one was MF, but this plant did not turn out to be MF. It is a 8-10" plant, with carrot-leaved foliage, and just a few fruits. One has been pulled so far and it weighed in at 39g and is about the size of a US half dollar. Not quite ready for tasting. Unless the taste is amazing, will likely not save seed from this one. You will notice this is not a focus cross for BLT. It was started with the intention of growing for MF, but since it did not present MF and had decent sized fruits, I decided to see what it would do. Might be saved for Round 2, we'll see.
125X
F3 - HL2601 is working on growing this out. Found one plant that produced R/Y striped fruit, with pink skin, but was lacking in flavor. The striping was present in the F2, so presume it will keep popping up
165X
F2 RL - three plants kept. While the taste on two was good, the fruits were small and slightly oblong. One of the three is showing promise and is a 12" plant with rugose foliage, and did require staking. It appears to have a growth habit like a dwarf (but micro). Currently has seven fruits, one of which has been harvested at 24g. One of the fruits is from a megablossom. If the taste is anything like the other two, this will be a candidate to carry forward
Multi Flora Project
Unfortunately, the MF trait seems to be accompanied by low fruit set, generally speaking. From last season, I know this is not always the case, but does seem to happen more often than not in the lines I've worked with thus far. Of those below, only 150X T2C5-1 has shown signs of any meaningful production. Will see how the others progress as more flowers open.
150X
F3 and F4 - HL2601 is progressing a few selections here with MF and heart-shaped fruit traits, and apparently decent fruit set!
F3 T2C5-1 - Have a few going, but most didn't set fruit. One is a 10" plant, heavily multi-flora, and has currently set 15 fruits. Keeping an eye on this one
F3 T2C5-5 - Also have a few going, only one showing some consideration. 6" plant (not heavily) multi-flora, six fruits, but they are decent size for such a tiny plant.
163X
F3-DF1 - From stock Dan had labeled as 163X F3 5. One plant remaining, 12-14" with carrot-leaved foliage. Heavily Multi-Flora. Only three fruits thus far.
F3-DF2 - From stock Dan had labeled as 163X F3 M, which should be a mix from different F2s. One plant remaining which is a 8" plant with carrot-leaved foliage. Heavily Multi-Flora, but also only three fruits.
Basket Tumblers Project
I started a few different varieties, but they seemed to be growing up as a normal indeterminate. I will revisit these when things are not so hectic so I can pay them more attention
Decorative Project
Currently growing out some tomato cousins - taking notes, and focusing mostly on just getting more seeds of each. I will make a post in this project's forum with some more info on what I am growing for now.
As you've likely seen, the first round of focus crosses have been posted for both the BLT and MF projects. The intention here is focus the small number of resources currently available to target some lines that showed good potential already for their respective projects. Once we explore those we will start a round 2 with different crosses.
I have not seen many updates over the past few months, but we're also in prime gardening season for most of the participants, and micros tend to get more attention in the off months. For myself, the summer garden is indeed taking up a lot of my free time, as like many of you, I have other "projects" going on and exploring new varieties, etc.
So with that in mind, most of the updates below are related to some I'm growing out for the focus lines
BLT Worthy Project
113X
F3-8 - I kept one plant. The F2 of this one was MF, but this plant did not turn out to be MF. It is a 8-10" plant, with carrot-leaved foliage, and just a few fruits. One has been pulled so far and it weighed in at 39g and is about the size of a US half dollar. Not quite ready for tasting. Unless the taste is amazing, will likely not save seed from this one. You will notice this is not a focus cross for BLT. It was started with the intention of growing for MF, but since it did not present MF and had decent sized fruits, I decided to see what it would do. Might be saved for Round 2, we'll see.
125X
F3 - HL2601 is working on growing this out. Found one plant that produced R/Y striped fruit, with pink skin, but was lacking in flavor. The striping was present in the F2, so presume it will keep popping up
165X
F2 RL - three plants kept. While the taste on two was good, the fruits were small and slightly oblong. One of the three is showing promise and is a 12" plant with rugose foliage, and did require staking. It appears to have a growth habit like a dwarf (but micro). Currently has seven fruits, one of which has been harvested at 24g. One of the fruits is from a megablossom. If the taste is anything like the other two, this will be a candidate to carry forward
Multi Flora Project
Unfortunately, the MF trait seems to be accompanied by low fruit set, generally speaking. From last season, I know this is not always the case, but does seem to happen more often than not in the lines I've worked with thus far. Of those below, only 150X T2C5-1 has shown signs of any meaningful production. Will see how the others progress as more flowers open.
150X
F3 and F4 - HL2601 is progressing a few selections here with MF and heart-shaped fruit traits, and apparently decent fruit set!
F3 T2C5-1 - Have a few going, but most didn't set fruit. One is a 10" plant, heavily multi-flora, and has currently set 15 fruits. Keeping an eye on this one
F3 T2C5-5 - Also have a few going, only one showing some consideration. 6" plant (not heavily) multi-flora, six fruits, but they are decent size for such a tiny plant.
163X
F3-DF1 - From stock Dan had labeled as 163X F3 5. One plant remaining, 12-14" with carrot-leaved foliage. Heavily Multi-Flora. Only three fruits thus far.
F3-DF2 - From stock Dan had labeled as 163X F3 M, which should be a mix from different F2s. One plant remaining which is a 8" plant with carrot-leaved foliage. Heavily Multi-Flora, but also only three fruits.
Basket Tumblers Project
I started a few different varieties, but they seemed to be growing up as a normal indeterminate. I will revisit these when things are not so hectic so I can pay them more attention
Decorative Project
Currently growing out some tomato cousins - taking notes, and focusing mostly on just getting more seeds of each. I will make a post in this project's forum with some more info on what I am growing for now.
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