History of C-Tex Black Tomato

jdwhitaker · April 9, 2012

From Conroe Greenhouses Facebook page...

"Just a little history of the C-Tex Black Tomato. My grandfather J.D. Brann was very fond of this tomato and was responsible for developing the tomato in the early 80’s. When describing the black tomato, I often remember him saying that it’s just a “big, juicy black tomato that tastes great". This would pretty much convince anyone to at least try it out. That being said, most who have tried the Black Tomato know that if grown right, you can’t beat the taste. The actual coloring is a deep maroon but close enough to black. In developing the Black Tomato, an Early Girl was crossed with a Russian Black Krim to produce what we call J.D.’s Special Black Tomato. Or the C-Tex Black Tomato. While the seed is no longer exclusive to Conroe Greenhouse, we still grow the tomatoes locally and produce our own seed and the tomato is a staple crop in our annual spring / fall growing."

maf · April 9, 2012

Great info, thanks for sharing. I love it when people post tomato histories that come direct from the original source.

travis · April 9, 2012

I like finally knowing that C-Tex is not another Brandywine x Cherokee Purple, a speculation that made its rounds a few years back. However, now I know where it gets its tendency for weather-checking on the shoulders during certain climatic conditions.

tam91 · April 9, 2012

Wow, Early Girl? How interesting. Now Black Krim is one of my favorite tomatoes, but I wouldn't have said the same of Early Girl.
I'm trying JD's for the first time this year, I'm really looking forward to it.

travis · April 9, 2012

Keep in mind that since the originator of J.D.'s Special C-Tex used Early Girl from the 1980s or before, it is not the same as what you'd get using the Early Girl Improved of today.

feldon30 · April 10, 2012

Thanks for tracking down the original history and crossing information on this. This fantastic variety has been a mystery for many years.

JD's Special C-Tex Early Black is one of my favorite tomatoes.

A past thread:
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=21482

Website for the greenhouse:
http://www.conroegreenhouses.com/vegetables.html

An ode to JD's Special C-Tex:
http://www.houseofannie.com/jd-special-c-tex-tomato/

texasrockgarden · April 10, 2012

I grow JD every year. It is always the first or one of the first two or three tomatoes to set fruit. It is one of my favorites along with Black Krim. I have never grown Early Girl though.

I got my first seeds from Bill Jeffers in 2009 and saved seeds from that years tomato crop. I knew then it was a keeper.

Here is a pic of JD in the green taken two days ago.

PaulF · April 10, 2012

This is my first year and I am very much looking forward to growing JD's Special. Thanks for the information.

Tracydr · April 10, 2012

My first year, two. I thought it was a Brandywine crossed with Cherokee Purple or something.
Very excited to see what it's like. Also, glad its early as I have a feeling our heat is going to hit early, good to have some early tomatoes to beat the heat in AZ.

ArcherB · April 11, 2012

I've grew JD for the first time last year. It was one of the best producers in my garden, although, the taste didn't exactly knock my socks off. It was very good, it didn't compare to Cherokee Purple of Brandywine Sudduth. Of course, we all know that taste is subjective and can be affected by several factors.

I'm growing it again this year, but shortly after planting it out, sow bugs (or doodle bugs, pill bugs, whatever you want to call them) tore the plant up. There was nothing left but the main stem. I was about to pull it and replace it when I noticed leaves coming out. I decided to leave it and see what happens. Given how late it is to starting plants from basically nothing, I do not have high hopes for it this year. From now on, I will spray when I plant out. I hate to do it, but what's the point of being pesticide free if you have no plants survive.

dice · April 11, 2012

It is nothing like early up here. It was a robust plant, though, abundant
flowers, set plenty of fruit, excellent flavor in warm weather.

ljp · April 12, 2012

"to produce what we call J.D.’s Special Black Tomato. Or the C-Tex Black Tomato."

Does this mean these tomatoes are the same?

fortyonenorth · April 12, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljp

"to produce what we call J.D.’s Special Black Tomato. Or the C-Tex Black Tomato."

Does this mean these tomatoes are the same?

I believe that's right. Although now that it's escaped into general commerce, it's simply called JD's Special C-Tex.

http://t.tatianastomatobase.com:88/w..._Special_C_Tex

bluebonnets · April 12, 2012

Excited to learn it's from a Black Krim. I'm growing it for the first time this year and I like it a lot so far.

creister · April 12, 2012

Archer,

Sprinkle Cayanne pepper around each plant along with some garlic powder, and pillbugs will leave it alone. Guaranteed.

April 9, 2012	#1
jdwhitaker Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Andrews, Texas Posts: 104	History of C-Tex Black Tomato From Conroe Greenhouses Facebook page... "Just a little history of the C-Tex Black Tomato. My grandfather J.D. Brann was very fond of this tomato and was responsible for developing the tomato in the early 80’s. When describing the black tomato, I often remember him saying that it’s just a “big, juicy black tomato that tastes great". This would pretty much convince anyone to at least try it out. That being said, most who have tried the Black Tomato know that if grown right, you can’t beat the taste. The actual coloring is a deep maroon but close enough to black. In developing the Black Tomato, an Early Girl was crossed with a Russian Black Krim to produce what we call J.D.’s Special Black Tomato. Or the C-Tex Black Tomato. While the seed is no longer exclusive to Conroe Greenhouse, we still grow the tomatoes locally and produce our own seed and the tomato is a staple crop in our annual spring / fall growing."

April 9, 2012	#4
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	Wow, Early Girl? How interesting. Now Black Krim is one of my favorite tomatoes, but I wouldn't have said the same of Early Girl. I'm trying JD's for the first time this year, I'm really looking forward to it. __________________ Tracy

April 10, 2012	#6
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	Thanks for tracking down the original history and crossing information on this. This fantastic variety has been a mystery for many years. JD's Special C-Tex Early Black is one of my favorite tomatoes. A past thread: http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=21482 Website for the greenhouse: http://www.conroegreenhouses.com/vegetables.html An ode to JD's Special C-Tex: http://www.houseofannie.com/jd-special-c-tex-tomato/ __________________ [SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I]

April 10, 2012	#8
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,294	This is my first year and I am very much looking forward to growing JD's Special. Thanks for the information. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.

April 11, 2012	#11
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	It is nothing like early up here. It was a robust plant, though, abundant flowers, set plenty of fruit, excellent flavor in warm weather. __________________ -- alias

April 9, 2012	#2
maf Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: England Posts: 512	Great info, thanks for sharing. I love it when people post tomato histories that come direct from the original source.

April 9, 2012	#3
travis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 2,984	I like finally knowing that C-Tex is not another Brandywine x Cherokee Purple, a speculation that made its rounds a few years back. However, now I know where it gets its tendency for weather-checking on the shoulders during certain climatic conditions.

April 10, 2012	#9
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	My first year, two. I thought it was a Brandywine crossed with Cherokee Purple or something. Very excited to see what it's like. Also, glad its early as I have a feeling our heat is going to hit early, good to have some early tomatoes to beat the heat in AZ.

April 11, 2012	#10
ArcherB Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Austin TX Posts: 200	I've grew JD for the first time last year. It was one of the best producers in my garden, although, the taste didn't exactly knock my socks off. It was very good, it didn't compare to Cherokee Purple of Brandywine Sudduth. Of course, we all know that taste is subjective and can be affected by several factors. I'm growing it again this year, but shortly after planting it out, sow bugs (or doodle bugs, pill bugs, whatever you want to call them) tore the plant up. There was nothing left but the main stem. I was about to pull it and replace it when I noticed leaves coming out. I decided to leave it and see what happens. Given how late it is to starting plants from basically nothing, I do not have high hopes for it this year. From now on, I will spray when I plant out. I hate to do it, but what's the point of being pesticide free if you have no plants survive.

April 12, 2012	#12
ljp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 189	"to produce what we call J.D.’s Special Black Tomato. Or the C-Tex Black Tomato." Does this mean these tomatoes are the same?

April 12, 2012	#14
bluebonnets Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: TX Posts: 178	Excited to learn it's from a Black Krim. I'm growing it for the first time this year and I like it a lot so far.

April 12, 2012	#15
creister Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abilene, TX zone 7 Posts: 1,478	Archer, Sprinkle Cayanne pepper around each plant along with some garlic powder, and pillbugs will leave it alone. Guaranteed.