Open pollinated tomatoes

I have a question, I've got lots of tomato seeds to plant, lots are heirloom, open-pollinated, etc. How do I keep them from cross-pollinating, and what will happen if they do?

Since they claim to be OP, does this mean they may have already crossed?

This may have already been discussed, but, could not find an answer?

Jo

Tomatoes are self pollinating so the blooms need to be isolated when they open. Quiltbea has some good threads about saving seeds of OP tomatoes and how to do that. And the reason you would want to isolate is if you were saving the seed for the next season

Thanks Camprn,
I knew you'all had made those bags, but, did not really pay any attention,da.
Jo

littlejo.....Yes, check out my posts about savings tomato and pepper seeds (the same manner).
As soon as blossoms start, you have to enclose those first ones in a finely-net bag or lightweight row cover sewn into bags, so no insects can cross-pollinate them. When they start to form little toms, you can remove the bags and tie a piece of cloth on the branch that you've covered so you know which fully-grown tomatoes you need to save for next year's seed. Let them grow till fully-ripe before harvesting for seed.
You just tap the branch every day when the blossoms are bagged so they can pollinate themselves.
There are also posts on how to save those seeds once you get them in your kitchen.

Open-pollinated and Heirloom means they are a true breed and can be saved and breed true the next year if you save their seed properly.

It the package says Hybrid or F1 (its a hybrid), you can't save the seed with hopes they will breed true because they are already cross-bred and you don't know what you'll be getting the following year from that seed. It could be any variety from which the hybrid was bred. Some gardeners like to try just to see what they get.

Use the Search box upper left on this page to learn more and see pictures.

Just a point of information... if you use the upper left search box, that will result in a web search. If you use the lower left search box that will result in a SFG forum specific search.

camprn.....But if you have the box checked for SFG, the upper box searches SFG threads, doesn't it?

As far as I can tell, the top search feature does search the square foot gardening forum. I like the bottom search feature better because of the way the results are displayed. Also, you can choose topic or posts if you use the bottom search feature.

quiltbea wrote:camprn.....But if you have the box checked for SFG, the upper box searches SFG threads, doesn't it?

IT does but it displays results not quite as well as well as the bottom one.

I never even noticed the bottom 'search' box before you mentioned it Camprn. Thanks for pointing it out. I thought I'd type 'seed saving' in both searches.
Results:
The bottom one had a lovely format with the captioning of everything, and I mean everything, that mentions seeds in it but nothing on the first page had any threads resembling actual seed saving; seed catalogs, saving taters, seeds for the first garden, etc. Absolutely nothing on the technique itself.
The top search feature, with SFG ticked, showed several posts that mention the technique.....which is what I wanted.
Its a personal choice folks. Its nice to know we have two ways to search.

QB, would you please post a link to your seed saving posts, I think that may help the OP, and the rest of us too.

camprn wrote:Tomatoes are self pollinating...

The myth of the self-pollinating tomato:

http://pollinator.info/blog/?p=225

Pollinator wrote:

camprn wrote:Tomatoes are self pollinating...

The myth of the self-pollinating tomato:

http://pollinator.info/blog/?p=225

" Remember that myths are half truths."

I think for the purposes of this thread and the level of knowledge of the OP, the misnomer of 'self pollinating' is applicable, in that the tomato does not require cross pollination or a pollinator such as the bee. As QB pointed out earlier, the tomato does need an assist of the wind or by gentle agitation of the tomato plant to engage the pollination action. The link was a good one,I like your blog! Thanks pollinator.

Camprn....I don't know how to post more than one URL to see, so I'll put the thread with the most varied info from a few of us:

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t8557-seed-saving

There are a few others where I put in my '2 cents worth' in other posts. Just type in 'seed saving quiltbea' in the upper search box with the Search SFG Forum box checked.

I hope this helps a few newbies.

My curiosity and lack of understanding is getting the better of me again. What do you mean by the OP?
Jo

camprn wrote:... please post a link to your seed saving posts, I think that may help the OP, and the rest of us too.

littlejo wrote:My curiosity and lack of understanding is getting the better of me again. What do you mean by the OP?
Jo

LOL, I mean you, the original poster. Not open pollinated.
Sorry for the shorthand.

I read Pollinators link. I think being self fertile and and self pollination is two things.
I have finally got a white amaryllis, and wanted seeds from it. it is self fertile, but not self pollinating. I use a little paint brush to put the pollen onto the long thingy(name evades me) I now have 8 seed pods!
Jo

... thus you are the pollinator.