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Post by canadamike on Feb 23, 2010 20:45:44 GMT -5
Well Johnny, it won't be longer if you put it here, and we are all VERY VERY INTERESTED ;D Now please, stop pulling up your intellectual mini skirt just to get us drooling and show us ALL the goods  Or else, I'll send Orflo's girlfriend after you...  |
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Post by Hristo on Feb 24, 2010 20:53:35 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips. I knew the seeds are pricy, but had no idea they are SO pricy.
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Post by plantsnobin on Feb 25, 2010 10:12:57 GMT -5
Go ahead jonny, these guys are freaks! I mean that in the best possible way, you know I love ya!
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Post by jonnyyuma on Feb 27, 2010 17:43:37 GMT -5
Yikes, that's pretty scary stuff. I have asked a friend if mine that used to breed watermelons if he has any old tetraploids lying around. He hasn't gotten back to me yet. I will let you know what he says.
Jonny
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Post by canadamike on Feb 27, 2010 19:51:58 GMT -5
Johny, would that mean that conversion to triploid ( I need a better word but do not know it in english) would not be total? Some tetras would stay tetras like in th ecase of potatoes when you cross a diploid with a tetra?
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Post by jonnyyuma on Feb 28, 2010 11:16:52 GMT -5
Hello,
I think I understand what you are asking.
4n X 4n = 4n
4n x 2n = 3n
2n x 4n = Nothing, cross won't work
Sometimes you get diploid reversion of the 4n and you get the 2n parent back out of that one.
I want to point out that 4n breeding is a pain in the ass. You have to have twice the populations to do proper breeding. The crosses don't yield much seed and the seed isn't very viable. You really need to transplant the seed, as it is very difficult to germinate 4n seed directly seeded in the soil.
Anyway, no word back from my friend.
Jonny
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Post by Alan on Mar 1, 2010 22:58:25 GMT -5
Hello, I think I understand what you are asking. 4n X 4n = 4n 4n x 2n = 3n 2n x 4n = Nothing, cross won't work Sometimes you get diploid reversion of the 4n and you get the 2n parent back out of that one. I want to point out that 4n breeding is a pain in the ass. You have to have twice the populations to do proper breeding. The crosses don't yield much seed and the seed isn't very viable. You really need to transplant the seed, as it is very difficult to germinate 4n seed directly seeded in the soil. Anyway, no word back from my friend. Jonny Keep us updated my friend, I'd love to have some more tetra options on hand for sure. I have access to a pharmasist who has access to.......  |
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Post by leftylogan on Mar 1, 2010 23:05:08 GMT -5
What are tetraploid varieties? Are they the cross between two diploid varieities?
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Post by Hristo on Mar 2, 2010 5:32:58 GMT -5
It's not so easy. Usualy it's done through treating usual (diploid) variety with a chemical like colchicine. Someone with better english could describe it better. Until then read this: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colchicine#Botanical_use |
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Post by jonnyyuma on Mar 2, 2010 20:29:51 GMT -5
What are tetraploid varieties? Are they the cross between two diploid varieities?
No. You take a diploid variety and treat the meristem with colchicine. Colchicine disrupts anaphase or telaphase part of mitosis ( i don't remember exactly). This causes the doubling of chromosome number and you end up with 4 sets of chromosomes instead of 2.
I want to caution everyone that colchicine is a known carcinogen and you should use caution with it.
Jonny
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Post by jonnyyuma on Mar 2, 2010 20:38:33 GMT -5
Hello All,
I just spoke with my friend and he doesn't have any tetraploid lines. He got rid of them all because he doesn't see seedless watermelon as being profitable. I agree with him on that point. I will try some things this summer if I run across any tetraploids in any commercial fields.
Jonny
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Post by Alan on Mar 7, 2010 20:54:27 GMT -5
Thanks Johnny.
Thats a shame, here in Southern Indiana where the majority of people don't know anybetter about flavor and sugar compounds in conjunction with the production of watermelon seeds seedless varieties are favored. I strongly dislike them, but selling produce dictates I grow them.
Same with an OP SH2 corn, I hate SH2 corn ( I call it "shitty" gene) but others love it.
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Post by jonnyyuma on Mar 8, 2010 20:35:08 GMT -5
Southern Indiana where the majority of people don't know anybetter about flavor and sugar compounds in conjunction with the production of watermelon seeds seedless varieties are favored. I strongly dislike them, but selling produce dictates I grow them.
It's pretty asinine. I have never had a good seedless watermelon when compared to seeded. Now many growers in the West have switched to dedicated pollinators so that even large diploids aren't that common. It used to be easy to get people to tell the difference in flavor when we were in a seedless field.....i would just cut a diploid and have them taste it after a seedless. Never a doubt that seeded is better, however I couldn't convince anyone to give up the seedless convenience.
Jonny
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Post by canadamike on Mar 8, 2010 23:05:56 GMT -5
The joy of designer veggies: eating branded shit and paying more for it.
The more people will garden at home the less these things will be important.
I also think promoting local varieties, named for the region is a good way to fight this tendency.
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Post by DarJones on Apr 4, 2010 15:21:12 GMT -5
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