Question
LAST YEAR I PURCHASED HEAT WAVE TOMATO PLANTS FROM LOWES. THEY PRODUCED LARGE CRACK-FREE FRUIT WITH GOOD TASTE. I SAVED SOME SEEDS FOR PLANTING.WILL THE SEEDS PRODUCE IDENTICAL PLANTS OR SHOULD I TRY TO FIND MORE PLANTS AT LOWESTHIS YEAR? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

Answer
Heatwave tomatoes are hybrids.  Hybrids are plants that were cross-bred from two different varieties to produce a plant that has desirable characteristics such as taste, growth habit, and disease resistance. The only downside to hybrids is that they will not produce the same offspring as the parent.  The only way to propagate hybrids is with cuttings.  This is not practical with annual plants such as tomatoes since they die off once their production cycle ceases.

I would recommend purchasing seeds through a seed company such as Burpee.  Burpee, in addition to other seed companies such as Park Seed and Johnny's, offer free catalogs and many varieties at reasonable prices.  I have attached a link to the Heatwave tomato for your convenience. Your other option of course is to purchase the plants at a garden center this spring.  Hopefully, Lowes or another garden center will carry this variety again this year.

http://www.burpee.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=553&itemType=PRODUC...

I hope this information helps.  Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike