Maybe it has something to do with heredity, I dunno, but after reading all that stuff, my head hurts. Are weak intellectual constitutions and eye strain dominant, I guess? Whew! Anyway, High Plains Drifter, here are some addresses to cut and paste into your search engine window (since I haven't evolved sufficiently to provide automatic electronic hyperlinks ... gosh, with my diminished capacities, it was a real task to even spell that): http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/cucurbit/wehner/vegcult/tomatoai.html http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/cucurbit/wehner/vegcult/tomatojr.html http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/cucurbit/wehner/vegcult/tomatosz.html What you will find are lists of hundreds of tomato cultivars with descriptions of their applications (whether they are applicable to heat tolerance, for instance ... like Gulf State Market, Creole, Bradley, etc.), and even some parentage info. I hope the lists will be helpful in your search for genetic material to develop your super race of t'maytur. As far as your original question, this is the first year I've attempted to cross pollinate myself; but I can tell you this: 1) I was told (by a knowledgeable member who shall remain unidentified) to only emasculate flowers that were in the early stages of showing color and had not opened or revealed their stigma. However, I emasculated 3 Cherokee Purple flowers that were clearly showing stigma and pollinated them with 3 separate contributing pollens (one "male" varietal contribution source per flower), and 2 of the 3 flowers set fruit while not one of the flowers that were on the same plant set fruit during the same high temperature period of time. It remains to be seen if those two fruits produce hybrid seed. 2) In another case, during the same very hot period of time, I emasculated two Green Zebra flowers whose pedals had spread but whose stigma were still tightly encapsulated by the whatchamacallit pods. I let the exposed stamen sit for about 30 hours, and then pollinated by smearing the stigma with broken open male parts from a yellow cherry tomato (I'm after clusters of small, tart, crunchy, striped, ping pongs with more yellow at ripe stage). One of the two flowers set fruit while not a single other flower on the GZ set fruit during the same period of time. My assumptions thus far (based upon very limited experience and training in this whole thing): A. Either I pollinated the blossoms that I emasculated with their own pollen as I tore off the male parts; or B. I succeeded in pollinating the blossoms with the intended pollen from the male contributors; or C. The blossoms were already pollinated, and I just got lucky enough not to destroy them; or D. The stigma were pollinated by some other means after I emasculated them. My assumption that I succeeded with my intent is only bolstered by the fact that not one single other blossom existing at the time of my activity set fruit on the two plants I was working with. It was during the hottest part of July with daytime temps running 94 to 102 here in S.W. Indiana. As to your question about "how many flowers" to gather contributing pollen from ... it's just too damned tedious to go through tapping, capturing, drying, blah, blah, blah, as described in the scientific literature I read ... so, I just tore off 5 or 6 blossoms (from each intended contributor) that looked ripe or overripe, tore them open, and gently brushed the receiving stigma with the torn parts. I washed my hands with hot, soapy water inbetween each procedure. I ended up having lots of yellow dust on my fingers when I did this, so I assume I got the job done. We shall see next year, right? Regards, Bill (a flatland hybridizing neophyte)

It's a contest based on fan vote. She did not get enough votes. She may have been the better dancer but she didn't get the votes. I think people have taken to Katherine because she's so genuine and honest. She's a great dancer and deserves her place in the finals. What happened in her dance can happen to a pro and I'm glad she wasn't seriously hurt. It was her left leg and her back. Mark didn't knock her down. I think Donald is doing a fine job but he's not as good as William and Katherine. The finals will be a show to watch!!!

Oops! Sorry about the wrong last name, blame it on my poor hearing, I guess. And yes, I knew that about Courtney. I recognise that she is very talented, but her music just isn't anything I care to listen to. She sure has some good moves, though, she's fun to watch. It bothers me when they say she is following in Janis Joplin's footsteps (I didn't like her music, either), but not because I don't want her to succeed. I hope she has a very successful career, if that's what she wants. But didn't Joplin end up dying from a drug overdose? So many talented people wind up addicted to drugs & alcohol & who knows what all, I just dread seeing young people, especially as young as Courtney & Darci Lynne, heading down that road to fame. You could really see the judges and the whole audience perk up and take notice when Howie asked her what the song was, and she told him it was an original that she wrote.

Well, I agreed with Simon on that big red X, that guy didn't need to be there, he was boring, not funny at all. I really do like Samuel J Comroe, the comedian with Turrets Syndrome. He's cute, he's funny, and he looks like a thoroughly likeable young man. I have to admit, I think the 50 states got it wrong, again! The opera singer (I don't remember his name) obviously has a very good voice and talent, but I don't think he was the best act on last night. And I'm glad Howie gave the buzzer to Angelica Hale! That little girl is a dynamo! It's interesting to hear how being on AGT has changed their lives, too. Uptown Gal, I'm curious about how or where you heard that 'they' are thinking of canceling "The Good Doctor", and who 'they' might be. I agree with Georgysmom's thinking on that. Would hate to see it go away! Besides, there is just too much going on now in all of the characters' lives for it to be canceled. (Isn't there?) AAA, I do as you do, record all the shows I like so if I miss one for some reason, I can 'catch up' later. "The Curse of Oak Island" is one of my favorites, too. I also have a bunch of the Christmas movies recorded to watch this summer when there is nothing good on, and the temps are in the 3 digit range. Rusty