Picked my "WES The Whopper" Today (pics)

rnewste · February 21, 2009

As I am preparing the 'Tainers for 2009 and my last big WES was finally ripe, I snipped it this morning:

This guy was really large for this time of year - - about 4" across:

Came in at just over 1 pound:

...and relative to a Purple Haze, it dwarfs it:

Ray

**carolyn137** · February 21, 2009

Beautiful Ray.

I can't tell you how much I love Wes and it's one of the varieties that's been around for many years.

Sometimes I think folks prefer to go for the newest and latest and overlook some really great varieties. other older ones I like a lot are Chapman and Red Penna, and there are more than that that I think are overloooked.

No, no definite list at hand.

rnewste · February 21, 2009

Carolyn,

The sole reason I grew Wes this year was due to your recommendation. Not a "fad" tomato, and the taste is excellent. I am trying Prue for the first time this year also.

Wes would make a great tomato for sauce, etc. as it has very few seeds and is quite dense with little juice. Thanks for the recommendation!!

Ray

duajones · February 22, 2009

I am growing Chapman this year, would love to grow Wes next year if possible. Nice looking tomato there Ray

geeboss · February 22, 2009

So we're waiting in anticipation of the taste test of that beautiful matter Ray! By the way once you slice it up about how many seeds would that matter have in it?

George

rnewste · February 22, 2009

George,

I had low expectations (after all, it's WINTER in Northern California), but as I began to take the ole Cutco slicer down the center of the tomato making vertical slices, it cut like butter:

This puppy is dense with pulp, and while juicy, it was a firm tomato. Additional slices revealed very few seeds:

This would make an excellent paste tomato variety for sauces, etc.

And even though it lacked the favorable benefits of summertime sun and warmth, it was surprisingly tasty. I should have had a "tomato-tasting party" when cutting it - - but none of my friends would believe I had just picked it from the garden, while they were snow skiing 3 hours away.

Ray

ContainerTed · February 22, 2009

He's still at it!!!

That tomato looks awful ............. ly delicious!!!!!

Ted

rnewste · February 22, 2009

Ted,

I was going to take a picture of one of Earl's famous BLTs I just made with it - - but I thought that would be over the top, for you folks back there in the snow.....

Ray

**carolyn137** · February 22, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnewste

Ted,

I was going to take a picture of one of Earl's famous BLTs I just made with it - - but I thought that would be over the top, for you folks back there in the snow.....

Ray

How kind and compassionate and considerate you are Ray.

Do you understand the words 2nd day air?

rnewste · February 22, 2009

Sorry Carolyn,

You've got to speak up faster!!

The Wes has been "sliced and diced" (for the seeds) and all 160 are on the way to Darrel J. right now.

Ray

**carolyn137** · February 22, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnewste

Sorry Carolyn,

You've got to speak up faster!!

The Wes has been "sliced and diced" (for the seeds) and all 160 are on the way to Darrel J. right now.

Ray

OK, I'll type faster next time.

Seems to me that Darrel could get his Wes seeds from Glenn in return for tomato seed he sends Glenn or peanut seed as well, but what do I know?

When do you expect to have your next Fall/Winter crop air ready?

duajones · February 22, 2009

You even took the time to count the seeds? MAN, you are on top of things.

rnewste · February 22, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by duajones

You even took the time to count the seeds? MAN, you are on top of things.

Duane,

I needed to figure how much postage to put on the envelope!

Seriously, George had asked how many seeds were in the Wes.

Ray

OneoftheEarls · February 23, 2009

Luckily I can update and add Wes to my list of growouts....phewww, thanks Ray...and I just got over 12 inches of snow yesterday so I took the ole John Deere for a ride....wheeeeee....spring comes soon...from this ole drip to maple drips...sooner than we think.

Earl

**Dukerdawg** · February 23, 2009

Ray, I cannot even imagine the damage you are going to do with a greenhouse! Your DW must be a gem like mine. She lets me do anything as long as it keeps me home! Being that I love tooling around in the backyard, that works for me. Now you got me thinking of upgrading my greenhouse. I would love one with power and water. A person can dream.

Good luck!

(Your Wes is now my screensaver!)

Duane

February 21, 2009	#1
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Picked my "WES The Whopper" Today (pics) As I am preparing the 'Tainers for 2009 and my last big WES was finally ripe, I snipped it this morning: This guy was really large for this time of year - - about 4" across: Came in at just over 1 pound: ...and relative to a Purple Haze, it dwarfs it: Ray

February 21, 2009	#2
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	Beautiful Ray. I can't tell you how much I love Wes and it's one of the varieties that's been around for many years. Sometimes I think folks prefer to go for the newest and latest and overlook some really great varieties. other older ones I like a lot are Chapman and Red Penna, and there are more than that that I think are overloooked. No, no definite list at hand. __________________ Carolyn

February 22, 2009	#7
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	He's still at it!!! That tomato looks awful ............. ly delicious!!!!! Ted __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

February 23, 2009	#14
OneoftheEarls Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 660	Luckily I can update and add Wes to my list of growouts....phewww, thanks Ray...and I just got over 12 inches of snow yesterday so I took the ole John Deere for a ride....wheeeeee....spring comes soon...from this ole drip to maple drips...sooner than we think. Earl Last edited by OneoftheEarls; February 23, 2009 at 12:07 PM.

February 23, 2009	#15
Dukerdawg Growing for Market Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 861	Ray, I cannot even imagine the damage you are going to do with a greenhouse! Your DW must be a gem like mine. She lets me do anything as long as it keeps me home! Being that I love tooling around in the backyard, that works for me. Now you got me thinking of upgrading my greenhouse. I would love one with power and water. A person can dream. Good luck! (Your Wes is now my screensaver!) Duane __________________ May I aspire to live my life so that I may be the man my dog thinks I am.

February 22, 2009	#4
duajones Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Corpus Christi,Texas Z9 Posts: 1,996	I am growing Chapman this year, would love to grow Wes next year if possible. Nice looking tomato there Ray

February 22, 2009	#5
geeboss Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Fairfax, VA Z7 Posts: 524	So we're waiting in anticipation of the taste test of that beautiful matter Ray! By the way once you slice it up about how many seeds would that matter have in it? George