[Sharonx]

Hi,
I aquired a Classica Tomato last year from a Nursery when they had a taster day. Now, naughty or not I took a tomato (Classica) and saved the seed and have them growing nicely in the allotment (about 20). I have been busy thining out all my other types today and as I wasn't sure whether they were bush or cordon decided to google & find out before I do any unnecessay work.
I have read that they are a Hybrid plant. Does this mean they are F1? Does that mean I won't get fruit? The nursury I got them from save all their own seeds, but had run out of that particular type so surely I only did what they would have done?
Still not sure if they are cordons or bush, or have I wasted my time & space anyway?
HELP! 

[DD.]

It's a hybrid. That's all that matters.

You could get characteristics of the parents - whoever they were!

F1 means in simple terms that they are first generation hybrids.

[Sharonx]

So does that mean that I will get fruit, but will have to wait and see what they are? Whether they take after Mum or Dad & hopefully worth having? Or do you think I should get not expect much & get rid? Thanks!

[DD.]

You'll get fruit - what they'll taste like is anyone's guess!

[azubah]

I guess they might taste like tomatoes!

Some of the taste will depend on what you feed them on and how ripe they are.

[LilacSandy]

I would keep them, at the moment you have a lucky dip on which parent they will take after but as they are tomatoes, and most of them taste great anyway,  there should not be a problem.  You never know you could have discovered a great new product.

[Sharonx]

Any ideas as to whether they are bush or cordon then or would that not apply to my new breed of tomato? 

[mumofstig]

they really could be either......as they are 2 unknown parents 

[Wombat18]

I'm doing the same - some of my sungold and suncherry from last year ended up on the compost heap and now they've sprouted all over the place.

I've planted a few out and am hoping for some kind of fabulous hybrid which will make my fortune.  Failing that, edible tomatoes.

[gillie]

Classica does not appear to be an F1 hybrid - the sort that does not breed true because it is bred by crossing two different strains.  My guess is that it will be reasonably true to the parent.

[Sharonx]

Well that's good news Gillie, I am looking forward to seeing what comes from them now. I will come back & let you know if it was a big fat fail or not. Thanks!

[GrannieAnnie]

This is what one website says about Classica.  It is a hybrid and determinate, but like the others have said, you could get the same, or one of the parents or other relatives!

(A perfect, versatile Italian Pear Hybrid Tomato. This Hybrid is recommended for canning, freezing, salsas, sauces and also as a Saladette Tomato. Large fruit with thick walls, excellent colour and firmness. Plants are Determinate, strong and vigourous with high yields.)

Saying that there is nothing wrong with saving your own seed whatever it is.

Some years ago I bought some Floridity tom seeds which the catalogue didn't say was an F1.  I saved the seed from one tomato.  then another catalogue said they were F1, but I planted them, still do now.  They still look like Floridity, in shape, but some years they are larger fruits sometimes smaller.

But I don't care they taste fine and are free!    So go ahead and grow them.  If you don't like the taste, use them in pasta sauces and don't save anymore seeds from that type.  Simples! 

[mumofstig]

Classica does not appear to be an F1 hybrid - the sort that does not breed true because it is bred by crossing two different strains.  My guess is that it will be reasonably true to the parent.

It was

Hybridized by Seminis

so definitely a hybrid

[Sharonx]

Thanks for that info GA. I use most of my tomatoes for passata anyway, but always like to try a good variety of different types. Classica was indeed a very tasty tomato and size and the amount of flesh is important when maximising the amount of sauce produced when bottling up. Last year from 80 plants we made around 60 bottles & that was of course eating alot along the way so not bad at all really. Fingers crossed they come good 

[GrannieAnnie]

Although the brandywine toms look strange, they are a very fleshy tomato too, wonderful in cooking.  They are not full of watery juice!  They are large toms though, and the yellow ones make a pasta sauce which is more unusual than the red ones!!