In theory, 1 out of 4 plants might be close but none will be identical (actual Sungolds). Just like kids and grandkids. :-)

Still might be good though.

Dave

If you have the room, and are willing to plant a bunch, you can always save the seeds from your favorites to plant next year.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but next year i think there will be further variance, but perhaps not as much variance as this year's crop?

Interesting topic imho.

Wouldn't it be 1:2:1 (of course this is overly simplified and the ratio works better with a larger number of plants)?
1/4 will be close one of the parent,
another 1/4 be like the other parent,
and 2/4 or 1/2 would be "sungold-like".

Sjetki - I think you are right. There will be variance but I don't know if it's more or less. I think it is less or similar variance if you only grow self-seeds from a single plant. More variation if you grow out plants from a larger number of parents. Does that make sense? Anyways, that's just my guess.

Say I decide and let these survivors grow to maturity. Could they produce a tomato of quality or does this generation have diminished properties regarding taste and/or texture?

elliot

No way to know without growing them out just as with any other hybrid. There are too many genetic variables - color, size, shape, brix, skin thickness, etc. etc. etc.. I don't know Sungold's parentage but It isn't always just two parent stocks with F1 seeds and these are F2 seeds.

They are grandkids or even maybe even great-grandkids if grandma had a really dominant gene or two.

It boils down to your choice.

Dave