Are seeds from a grafted tomato fertile?

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Posted by Trish74 none (My Page) on

Fri, May 16, 14 at 15:50

Hi, I just bought two San Marzano plants that are grafted onto I don't know what. Can I harvest the seeds to grow my own San Marzanos next year or does grafting alter the sterility of the seeds?

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RE: Are seeds from a grafted tomato fertile?

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Posted by digdirt 6b-7a North AR (My Page) on
Fri, May 16, 14 at 17:04

does grafting alter the sterility of the seeds?

No. "Sterility" of seed is not an issue normally associated with tomato seed and grafting makes no difference. Whether it will breed true or not from saved seed is the issue but again, grafting is not relevant..

San Marzano, of which there are many different cultivars (sub-types), are sold with both the label "heirloom" and "hybrid" since there have been so many selections made with it over the years and cultivars spread around.

So true heirloom San Marzano can be difficult to find (unless someone found an old, hidden pouch of seeds from the 18th century).

As a general guideline, hybrid varieties will not breed true from seeds. So if you don't know exactly which of the many cultivars you have, save them if you wish and grow them out to see what you get. :)

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: The many cultivars of San Marzano

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