WV '63 status OP or heirloom?

[WVTomatoMan]

WV '63 is an OP (open pollinated) tomato that was developed by Dr. Mannon Gallegly (WVU) to commemorate West Viginia's centennial (100th anniversary of WV becoming a state). One of the breeding goals was to create a disease tolerant tomato that would address the diseases that affected various areas of the state.

This marks the 50th anniversary of that release. I would like to get a feel as to whether folks think it should be referred to an heirloom now that it is 50 years old.

So what do you think OP or heirloom for WV '63?


Randy

[amideutch]

OP
Ami

[PA_Julia]

Randy,

The question that is raised by the question you asked is when is a tomato strain old enough to be considered an heirloom?

Is it based on a consensus of the powers that be?

In my opinion a stabilized 50 year old line would be considered an heirloom based on age alone.

[barkeater]

Originally Posted by PA_Julia

Randy,


In my opinion a stabilized 50 year old line would be considered an heirloom based on age alone.

But I don't feel like an heirloom!

[Fusion_power]

I'd prefer the term classic and or antique to refer to varieties that are just old.

So if that makes me a "classic" does it make Carolyn an "antique"?

[Doug9345]

Originally Posted by Fusion_power

So if that makes me a "classic" does it make Carolyn an "antique"?

You are more like fine wine, Vintage. Barkeaters comment made me realize that this tomato was released after I was born.

[Alfredo]

Originally Posted by barkeater

But I don't feel like an heirloom!

Barkeater and Fusion power
...I was waiting for everyone to start applying that "50 yr theory" as being an heirloom to themselves at some point in this thread! geez...Like Doug9345 said, more like a fine wine. ~Alfredo

[Doug9345]

The way the term heirloom is being used why not. It's a better candidate than many that are being called heirloom. Rutgers is called a commercial heirloom. If that is an heirloom then WV 63 is.

I personally believe that heirloom should be reserved for tomatoes know to be passed down within a family, but the term is being applied to "old" or "old like" open pollinated tomatoes. I'd prefer the term classic and or antique to refer to varieties that are just old.

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by Doug9345

The way the term heirloom is being used why not. It's a better candidate than many that are being called heirloom. Rutgers is called a commercial heirloom. If that is an heirloom then WV 63 is.

I personally believe that heirloom should be reserved for tomatoes know to be passed down within a family, but the term is being applied to "old" or "old like" open pollinated tomatoes. I'd prefer the term classic and or antique to refer to varieties that are just old.

There are many definitions of what an heirloom should be and lots of threads here about that.

I'll summarize and say that the original definition was those OP varieties introduced before about 1940 when hybrids first started making an appearance.

Then there are those who say 50 years, and I don't agree with that b'c it says today it's not an heirloom and tomorrow it is, as in a moving target.

Most would say that it should be only the family type heirlooms that should be called heirlooms, but I think it's OK to say the same about OP varieties commercially introduced before 1940.

Rutgers was first released in 1928 so I'd be OK with it being called a commercial heirloom/

WV63 was introduced in 1963, not pre-1940 ,not a family heirloom, so I'd call it just an OP, same as many other OP's.

Carolyn

[Redbaron]

Heirloom

[Alfredo]

In my humble opinion...sounds like an "open-pollinated" variety that will eventually become or considered an heirloom by the majority of gardeners in due time. But that's just me. ~Alfredo

[peppero]

sounds like an OP HEIRLOOM to me. jon

[WVTomatoMan]

PA Julia: Interesting questions. Yeah basically the underlying question deals with age. As far as the second question no one has identified the powers that be to me, but I suppose general consensus in the tomato community accounts for at least some tomatoes being called heirlooms. However, even at that there are ambiguities. Take Green Zebra for instance. There are several sites, mostly seed sellers, that call it an heirloom. However there are sites that call it OP. The Wikipedia article says that GZ is not an heirloom tomato, despite often being mistakenly designated as one.

Barkeater and Fusion Power: haha.

Randy

[Hillbillygardner]

This sounds pretty familar to me here the Ozarks. Dr. Lambreth from the university of Missouri developed several OP varities including the Mozark, in the early 1950's. Some seeds were passed down from my grandfather to me and a few neighbors but, to this day, what very,very few people I know that have or have seen this variety consider it an OP.
I think heirloom is being used out of context, much like organic.

[Father'sDaughter]

Originally Posted by Alfredo

Barkeater and Fusion power
...I was waiting for everyone to start applying that "50 yr theory" as being an heirloom to themselves at some point in this thread! geez...Like Doug9345 said, more like a fine wine. ~Alfredo

Yes, but that 50 year heirloom definition would only apply to those of us who are stabilized...