Anna Maria, you have my heart

Cole_Robbie · June 21, 2014

I have one row of 18 different heirloom varieties, all planted at the same time, and Anna Maria's Heart is the early winner by far. Fruit set is so prolific that it rivals Big Beef. The plant pictured below was planted two weeks after my high tunnel big beef, and it's giving Big Beef a run for being the first big ripe tomato.

(Pic was too big, here's the link: http://i.imgur.com/mkhlXAS.jpg )

I had thought it would be safe to assume that a hybrid would outperform an heirloom, and a high tunnel plant would outperform an outdoor garden plant, but this variety is turning those assumptions on their heads.

Assuming the flavor is at least tolerable, which I can only assume it will be, I'm saving seeds from this plant, and it will be my heirloom to grow for market next year. I'm even going to plant a few in the high tunnel to see how they do.

Tatiana's page says this variety was introduced by someone named Carolyn Male. Does anyone know who that is???

(just kidding, Carolyn, thank you for introducing such a fine tomato)

creister · June 25, 2014

I grew Anna Maria's Heart two years ago, and it was very productive and produced some 1 pound fruit. I liked the taste. I had one planted this year, but frost and wind took it.

peppero · June 26, 2014

NICE PIX.

jon

lakelady · June 30, 2014

very nice, what a tease though ! lol I have a few teeny tiny greenies right now.

Cole_Robbie · July 1, 2014

I picked the first one, and I'm letting it ripen. The thing is gigantic, softball-size. It may be the biggest tomato I have ever grown: http://i.imgur.com/uDhzpJa.jpg

Cole_Robbie · July 3, 2014

I cut that tomato up for seeds: http://i.imgur.com/pwDhHGK.jpg

The pic reminds of the Poe quote: Stop, fiends! Dissemble no more! Tis the beating of his hideous heart!

Flavor is excellent. And this has not been a great weather year for me. It manages to be sweet, but with a high-acid, almost tart aftertaste.

June 21, 2014	#1
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	Anna Maria, you have my heart I have one row of 18 different heirloom varieties, all planted at the same time, and Anna Maria's Heart is the early winner by far. Fruit set is so prolific that it rivals Big Beef. The plant pictured below was planted two weeks after my high tunnel big beef, and it's giving Big Beef a run for being the first big ripe tomato. (Pic was too big, here's the link: http://i.imgur.com/mkhlXAS.jpg ) I had thought it would be safe to assume that a hybrid would outperform an heirloom, and a high tunnel plant would outperform an outdoor garden plant, but this variety is turning those assumptions on their heads. Assuming the flavor is at least tolerable, which I can only assume it will be, I'm saving seeds from this plant, and it will be my heirloom to grow for market next year. I'm even going to plant a few in the high tunnel to see how they do. Tatiana's page says this variety was introduced by someone named Carolyn Male. Does anyone know who that is??? (just kidding, Carolyn, thank you for introducing such a fine tomato) Last edited by Cole_Robbie; June 21, 2014 at 01:06 PM.

June 30, 2014	#4
lakelady Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: northern NJ zone 6b Posts: 1,862	very nice, what a tease though ! lol I have a few teeny tiny greenies right now. __________________ Antoniette

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June 25, 2014	#2
creister Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abilene, TX zone 7 Posts: 1,478	I grew Anna Maria's Heart two years ago, and it was very productive and produced some 1 pound fruit. I liked the taste. I had one planted this year, but frost and wind took it.

June 26, 2014	#3
peppero Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: selmer, tn Posts: 2,944	NICE PIX. jon

July 1, 2014	#5
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I picked the first one, and I'm letting it ripen. The thing is gigantic, softball-size. It may be the biggest tomato I have ever grown: http://i.imgur.com/uDhzpJa.jpg

July 3, 2014	#6
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I cut that tomato up for seeds: http://i.imgur.com/pwDhHGK.jpg The pic reminds of the Poe quote: Stop, fiends! Dissemble no more! Tis the beating of his hideous heart! Flavor is excellent. And this has not been a great weather year for me. It manages to be sweet, but with a high-acid, almost tart aftertaste.