Can Different Varieties of Tomatoes Be Planted Together? (Cross-Pollination)

Can Different Varieties of Tomatoes Be Planted Together? Have you ever thought of growing different varieties of tomatoes altogether? Farmers tend to grow different varieties in their yards like coleus varieties. They add delicious taste and color to your home garden. Famers get confused if they can grow different varieties all together or not.

Quick takeaways:

  • Tomatoes are one of the amazing vegetables that are grown by every farmer in his yard.
  • Tomatoes can be used in dishes, soups, salads, sandwiches, etc to add taste to them.
  • It is a matter of concern to be aware of the varieties of tomatoes that can be grown with each other in the garden area.
  • These varieties can be grown with each other, as they have both the parts of the male and female in the flowers which helps the plant to cross-pollinate amongst each other.
  • You will observe the amazing fruit after the cross-pollinated plants.

As you know a tomato is the best-cultivated plant for a long time. It produces beautiful red-colored fruit that is juicy. It is one of the self-pollinating members that belong to the Solanaceae family. 

So, let’s begin this guide by knowing more about if the different varieties of tomatoes like heirloom tomatoes,Dwarf Mr. Snow Tomato, purple Tomatoes, Aerogarden Tomatoes, and Oxheart Tomatoes, etc can be planted together. 

What is Cross-Pollination?

Cross-pollination is the process that helps one plant pollinate with a variety of other plants. Both plants pollinate and mix their genetic features which results in the sharing of features in the plant. They both will become a new variety within. 

Farmers tend to use this method for more yield and to support the ecosystem. You can create new and better varieties with the help of cross-pollination in plants. But keep in mind to check the variety you are taking for cross-pollination can be cross-pollinated or not. 

The following are some points describing the process of pollination:

  • Flowers of tomatoes do consist of both reproductive organs, male and female. The male part of the flower is called a stamen which consists of filament and anthers that I used to produce Pollen. The female part of the flower is called a pistil which consists of a stigma and ovary and which contains ovules. 
  • During the process of pollination, the stamen forms a cone-shaped structure All Around The female part of the pistil after which creates a self-contained space to complete the pollination process. Because of the close proximity of male and female organs,, the Pollen is able to reach the stigma easily and thus complete the self-pollination.

Can Different Varieties of Tomatoes Be Planted Together?

Tomatoes are one of the favorite vegetables of everyone in this universe. Do you know if you can plant different varieties of tomatoes together or not? If yes, then you might be doing well in your gardening field and if not, then no worries as we are here for you! 

There are numerous varieties of tomatoes that can be thrown with each other so that they stimulate the growth of each other and generate a higher yield. They do not affect the plant by doing so. To prevent cross-pollination all you have to do is to keep the seeds safe with you so that you use them. 

To know more about the plant world, you may also read related articles, 6 Benefits of Growing Tomatoes rather than Store Buying

There come some points where planting different varieties together becomes trouble for you. Do you know about it? If not, then keep in mind that cross-pollination will take place if you plant the different varieties with each other. Though it does not harm the growth of the plant it can spoil the seeds which can not be used by you for later use. 

So, here comes the need to avoid cross-pollinating which is possible if you take a cloth bag and cover the flower that is not opened yet. It will help the flower to pollinate individually and begin to develop the fruit. After that, you can remove the bag and space the seeds for using them later. 

Another thing that can trouble you is the different growing conditions or habits of tomatoes that are grown together. If you have planted a smaller variety of tomatoes with a bigger one, then the requirements of both of the varieties differ from each other. Even small plants will not be able to take the sunlight because of the long plants planted with it. So, make sure you are keeping this in mind and trying to avoid it. 

Do Tomatoes Cross-pollinate? 

As mentioned, tomatoes are one of the delicious vegetables that are self-pollinators. On the same side, they tend to cross-pollinate with some varieties for more yield. When does cross-pollination take place in tomatoes? It happens when the pollen of both flowers breeds with each order with the help of insect pollinators like bees etc. 

Cross-pollination of tomatoes depends on the variety you are growing in your home garden. It depends on the space between the plants, the length of the plant, the climatic conditions of the plant, and even the number of pollinators roaming around the plant. 

You will come to know about the cross-pollinator tomatoes by observing their pollen and their styles. Then they can be cross-pollinated easily. If the styles are small, then there becomes less chance of cross-pollination. 

What Happens When Tomatoes Cross Pollinate?

There are many gardeners who don’t know what is the reaction if different varieties of tomatoes are cross-pollinated so here I am going to describe it.

 If we cross-pollinate different tomatoes then the genetic material of two tomatoes having different features will combine and the seed is hybridized. The step of cross-pollination does not affect the fruit growing out of the plant. As it only affects the seed.

The tomatoes grown further by cross-pollination will have mixed characteristics of two-parent tomato plants. 

Let’s understand it by an example in the case of cross-pollination done between large beef stick tomatoes and a cherry tomato the result you get will be a child tomato having no different taste and look but the seed under the soil will be hybridized. And after taking those seeds for planting again the fruit will have a mixture of characteristics taken from two parents and will grow medium size tomatoes.

Self-Pollination vs. Cross-Pollination:

Self-pollination is done between the plants that produce complete flowers with the help of male and female parts such as vegetables like beans, broccoli cabbage, carrot, cauliflower corn, onions, and peppers. The process of cross-pollination has both reproductive parts available in all flowers.

Already having the seed from my hair Loom tomatoes you can grow tomatoes again in the next year which are able to grow up to 25 feet.

Wrapping up the context! 

In this guide, you come to know that Tomatoes are one of the amazing vegetables that are grown by every farmer in his yard. Farmers tend to grow different varieties in their yards. They add delicious taste and color to your home garden. Tomatoes can be used in dishes, soups, salads, sandwiches, etc to add taste to them. As you know a tomato is the best-cultivated plant for a long time. It produces beautiful red-colored fruit that is juicy and in case tomatoes don’t turn red it can because of cold, water, variety, etc. It is one of the self-pollinating members that belong to the Solanaceae family. So, read the full guide so that you understand self-pollinating tomatoes. 

Thanks for reading! Happy gardening! 

FAQ‘s

Do cherry tomatoes cross-pollinate?

As you know tomatoes are the ones that self-pollinate amongst themselves and do not need to cross-pollinate with other plants. Though it does not involve all the varieties but almost every variety. Cherry tomatoes do not cross-pollinate with other varieties. 

How far apart should tomatoes be to prevent cross-pollination?

Tomatoes need to be planted 25 feet away from each other so that you prevent cross-pollination in the plants. 

Are there self-pollinating tomato plants?

Yes, there are various varieties of self-pollinating tomato plants. It shows that the plant flowers have both the characteristics of male and female parts so it does not need any other plant for cross-pollination. 

Becky Decker

Becky Decker, our esteemed Editor-in-Chief, is a passionate gardener with years of experience in the world of horticulture. With her guidance, Lawnandgardennetwork.com aims to be your trusted companion on your gardening journey. Featured In   Becky Decker’s expertise and gardening wisdom have been recognized and featured in various prominent publications, including:   Homesandgardens.com Yahoo.com Urbansplatter.com Inkl.com Foliagefriend.com Yahoonews  Experience & Background   Becky Decker’s love for gardening has been a lifelong journey. She has honed her skills through countless seasons of planting, nurturing, and harvesting a wide variety of plants, flowers, and vegetables. Her deep-rooted knowledge is complemented by her Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from the University of Green Valley.   Prior to leading Lawnandgardennetwork.com, Becky worked as a garden consultant, helping countless individuals turn their outdoor spaces into vibrant, thriving gardens. Her experience spans over a decade, making her a trusted authority in the gardening community.   The Birth of Lawnandgardennetwork.com   Inspired by her passion for gardening and her desire to share her expertise with a wider audience, Becky Decker launched Lawnandgardennetwork.com in 2021. This platform serves as a hub for gardening enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to seasoned pros.   At Lawnandgardennetwork.com, we are committed to providing you with comprehensive guides, expert advice, and hands-on tips to help you achieve success in your gardening endeavors. Whether you have a small balcony garden or a sprawling backyard paradise, we have the information you need to make your garden flourish.   Our Mission   Lawnandgardennetwork.com is more than just a gardening website; it’s a community of gardeners who share a common love for nurturing the Earth. Our mission is to empower you with the knowledge and resources to create beautiful, sustainable gardens that bring joy and tranquility to your life.   Join Us on This Green Journey   We invite you to explore Lawnandgardennetwork.com and embark on your gardening journey with us. Whether you’re seeking advice on planting techniques, pest control, landscaping ideas, or the latest gardening trends, you’ll find it all right here.   Connect with us, ask questions, and share your gardening stories. Together, we’ll cultivate a thriving community of gardeners and help each other make the world a greener, more beautiful place.   Let’s dig in and grow together at Lawnandgardennetwork.com, where gardening dreams bloom!

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