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Growing Tomatoes

Seedling leaf type

16 years ago

And that is, know the observable distinguishing traits of every single variety that you end up with, as to leaf form(PL or RL), fruit color and size and shape, and plant habit ( ind or det), so that you know what you ultimately grow is the correct variety. Carolyn ~~~ I took Carolyn's suggestion to heart, spent some time on a data base improving the notes on my grow list by adding height and leaf type to DTM and the description from the suppliers. How early can you determine leaf type? I have some that look obviously PL, others RL, a few hard to tell and even some that have me changing my mind as they grow :\-) Several of the largest are starting the 2nd set of true leaves with the first set more or less appearing fully developed with 3 \- 5 leaflets and variations of compound leaflets. Also, Brandywine OTV, German Queem and Aunt Gerties Gold, known PL types only have a terminal on their first set (not cotyledons). Where as Missouri Pink Love Apple, is supposed to be PL and it could be but has 3 leaflets with rounded lobes. Mix up on MPLA or too early to call?

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Comments (5)

dave1mn2
Original Author
16 years ago
A few pics might help.

Brandywine OTV bottom 2, MPLA top

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Aunt Gerties Gold

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German Queen Top, Cherokee Purple bottom.

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Missouri Pink Love Apple or Mystery Mater?

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dave1mn2
Original Author
16 years ago
Sorry the pics aren't loading up well. Image Shack is having problems today.

Could just be wishful thinking since I really want to try this variety this yr. but even though the MPLA leaves are very different from the other PLs it may still be OK.

This site has pics of young MPLA showing leaves fairly rough for PLs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Database
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sunnyk
16 years ago
The pictures of the MPLA on that Tomato Site you posted sure look like Regular leaf tomatoes to me...not like a potato leaf. But other than that opinion, I cant help you any,LOL,Sorry.
dave1mn2
Original Author
16 years ago
Sunny,

The pics on that site could certainly be wrong but just to add a little food for thought, the post linked below has some nice pics and discussion as to variances, as does one named "Cherokee Purple PL".

Here is a link that might be useful: Some Interesting Leaf Shape Variations
sunnyk
16 years ago
That is very interesting...and extremely useful for me as I am pretty new to many varieties, and it is important to me to be aware of the variations that could occur in leaf shape.

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