Brandywine From Croatia - - Now We're Talking! (pics)

[rnewste]

Originally Posted by Ispahan

Hi Raybo,

Beautiful plants! What is the average size of these fruits? Is the 15.5 oz. one in your picture above typical, or do they run smaller or larger? I am amazed at the productivity of these plants.

The 15.5 ounce one is very typical of those currently on the plants. Early on, they were about 12 ounces, which is probably typical of the initial fruits. There are some now developing that surely will be at 18+ ounces later this Summer.

Raybo

[Linda10]

Those are gorgeous, Ray. Be sure to include your want list when you do the offer, because I for one would like to repay your generosity.

[beefyboy]

Truly a work of art Raybo! I have started all my seed 12 days ago for my 0ct. planting and am thinking....... oh no!! not another I need to try but thank goodness your offer is not til Sept. I will start in Dec. for Jan season here if you have any left. Love your passion for growing!!!

[salix]

...what Linda10 said!

[BW_AustinTX]

Years ago I backpacked along the Croatian coast. I had wonderful vegetables in my journey, along with fruits as well. The family I stayed with picked excellent tomatoes from the garden. So fresh and inviting!

[rnewste]

Originally Posted by beefyboy

Truly a work of art Raybo! I have started all my seed 12 days ago for my 0ct. planting and am thinking....... oh no!! not another I need to try but thank goodness your offer is not til Sept. I will start in Dec. for Jan season here if you have any left. Love your passion for growing!!!

Beefy,

I will send seeds to EVERY Tomatoville member who requests them - - so not to worry!

I used Morgan's Oxiclean method tonight on the first batch of about 100 Brandywine from Croatia seeds. Wow! what a simple process vs. the "old" fermentation method.

I want to germinate a few from this initial batch to make sure that I didn't do something fatal to them in the process. Pouring in 1 Tablespoon of the Oxiclean into the 1 Cup of seeds / juice with all the bubbling going on was a leap of faith for me.....

Raybo

[greyghost]

Ray, I've been using that method for the past three years and will never go
back to fermentation. I generally get 100% germination on seeds. It's so
quick and easy and I've been very happy with the results. Hope it works out
well for you! Darlene

[rnewste]

Darlene,

Thanks for the confirmation that it works well for you. I was just concerned that I should have used 1 Teaspoon, rather than 1 Tablespoon of the Oxiclean. It just seemed like a lot to use in 1 Cup of the juice / seeds.

Raybo

[Sun City Linda]

I have been using clorox cleanser on WinterSow website method. Anybody have a link for procedure with Oxiclean? thanks, LInda

[rnewste]

Linda,

Here is the direct link to Morgan's excellent process:

http://www.settfest.com/2009/01/saving-seeds/

The only thing I personally do differently, is rather than cutting an "X" and squeezing everything out, I quarter the tomato, then use a grapefruit spoon to dig out the individual gels containing the seed pods. This makes straining the unwanted stuff out a bit easier.

Raybo

[Sun City Linda]

Thanks Ray, will give it a try. LInda

[greyghost]

Ray Honestly, I've used both 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon per cup.
If I have a larger quantity of seeds/gel, I'll use a tablespoon. On occasion,
I'll save a smaller amount of seeds, I'll use just a teaspoon. "Digestion"
of the gel has always occurred.

[gtnate]

My wife and I went to Croatia for our honeymoon. We still reminisce about an afternoon we spent at someone's home there eating ripe juicy tomatoes, luscious figs, delicious and fragrant cheeses, and amazingly salty and flavorful home cured prosciutto. The fact that these are called 'Brandywine from Croatia' keeps making me remember that day.

So, Ray, how do these tomatoes stack up compared to your self-proclaimed number one favorite: Goose Creek? I would really like to try growing some of these, but by the way you have described them, I'm afraid that our short, cool season here in Seattle just won't work for these 'maters.

I've attached a picture of the prosciutto. Man, that stuff was good.

[rnewste]

Nate,

Personal preference to be sure, but Goose Creek remains my favorite variety - hands down!

As I indicated, I would compare Brandywine from Croatia most closely with Stump Of The World - - but probably 5-times more prolific. To be sure in Seattle, you likely don't have a long enough growing season, but if you started them indoors early, maybe you could get a harvest by your Fall.

Raybo

[HBKitmitto]

Wow! Those look amazing!! I'll keep my eyes peeled for your seed offer. I would love to try these, although like you say, they might not work as well in the extreme heat we have here. Still, I don't like being told I can't do something!