I acquired the seeds from a reputable heirloom tomato grower/company and the seed has been true the last couple of years. I realize that since they're open pollinated anything is possible, but what are the odds of seeds producing a cross?

Thanks,
Gail

== you labeled the seeds in error.
== you planted the wrong seed(not paying attention)
== you labeled the seedling in err.=
== Everything was right but you marked the transplant incorrectly.

Finally<<>> It is possible that the tomato from which you collected the seed, was product of cross pollination.

I only started four varieties - "Sunsugar", "Brandy Boy", "Cherokee Purple" and "Black Krim". So, even if I mislabeled, the fruit size doesn't resemble any of them. The color is right for BK (or, maybe, CP for that matter), but way too small.

Those possibilities and those odds are generally considered an acceptable margin of tolerance. A disappointment when it happens, sure. But it does happen and we live with it. It is one reason why growing only one plant of any variety, especially when it is the primary variety we are after, is never recommended.

And of course this doesn't even include all the effects that growing conditions can have on fruit size. Life is composed of genetics AND environment. :-)

Dave

Do you have a single plant of Black Krim, or more than one? If you have more than one (or more than two) and they are all exhibiting the same size fruit at the breaking point, then I would think it likely that it is environmental. It would be highly unlikely that you'd randomly get two or three wrong seeds from a packet of 30-60 seeds when the purity is rated at better than 90% (assuming you had correct fruits in previous years from the same packet.) OTH, if you have a single plant, it might be a cross, or again it could be environmental.

Since the tomato you picked was the "first nearly ripe tomato" of the year, it is possible the later ones might be of a more normal size. I find that the first few fruits I get from a plant are often smaller than later fruit.

Betsy

Betsy, I have only one plant. I thought that the first fruit wasn't necessarily representative of the whole season. While the other tomatoes are still green, they're moving into that stage where the skin is becoming shiny and I think will blush soon. Generally, fruits on my plants have a range of sizes. However, right now, all the fruit on this plant is the same size - just larger than a golf ball. The weather has been so weird early this season and even into the summer. One week will be hot, the next will be cool and much rain. Perhaps, maybe, hopefully, this is the reason.

Thanks,
Gail

G

(1) and the seed has been true the last couple of years.
.....................
(2) These weren't seeds that I collected
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ''''''''
when you said (1) , I hade the impression that you have been collecting you own seeds [for] THE LAST COUPL OF YEARS.

But, aside from the size, what about the shape, color, flavor ? As been pointed out , the first fruit might not be a true representative(due to cold, rain..)

I was just looking at Tatiana's photos of Black Krim. Some of hers are large enough to cover a good portion of a small plate, while others seem about the same size as mine and quite round. Like you all said it could very well be environmental.

No sense obsessing - it is what it is. I do enjoy experiencing and learning each and every year. This year, among other things, I learned to plant more than one of my favorite(s).

Thanks,

This was Cherokee Purple and a hybrid - I think Beefmaster - and not BK, but it was definitely environmental (and really weird).

These 5 so far have come from 2 different plants. I have a third that I planted later that is bearing fruit but none ripe yet. So, we shall see how those turn out.