Pink Beefsteak Isn't

bbjm · August 4, 2006

I bought a plant at a big box store that was called Pink Beefsteak. I had never heard of it before. I assume it is a common hybrid (This is only my second year growing tomatoes). Anyway, the plant, instead of beefsteaks, produced the most unbelievable number of perfect pink half dollar sized tomatoes. The plant is nearly as productive as a Sweet 100 I'm growing and my family really likes the taste and look of this strange tomato.

Does anyone know what might have happened? I assume it is a mistake, but I'd really like to grow the exact same tomato next year. I'm tempted to save seeds and see what happens, but I have very limited space and hate to risk it if there is no chance of getting the same thing. Any thoughts?

Thanks

Bret

Suze · August 4, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbjm

Does anyone know what might have happened?

Could be any number of things. Tags get switched all the time, for example.

I've never heard of a variety just called "Pink Beefsteak" (and something like that is hard to google). Do you remember who the grower was?

If you remember who the grower was, then it might be possible to contact them (or do a search) and find out other varieties they were distributing at the time that meet the criteria you describe.

bbjm · August 5, 2006

I found the label. It is Pink Beefsteak from Bonnie. I found the variety on their website. They say it is an heirloom variety, so who knows what it actually is. Regardless, what I'm growing is not what the label says. The tomatoes are supposed to be large and mine are no bigger than a ping pong ball.

elkwc36 · August 5, 2006

Bret I bought a Bonnie plant labeled as Mr. Stripey that is some variety of large paste by appearances. Hasn't ripened yet so can't tell for sure what it might be. Glad yours is one that you like. When buying plants always a chance of a switch. May your yields be bountiful and good luck with the seed saving. See your in KS also. JD

Suze · August 5, 2006

There is actually a Beefsteak, Pink listed in the SSE Yearbook, but that doesn't necessarily mean that this is the same variety that Bonnie Plants has listed at their site, of course. Described as "very hardy plants, withstood heat and drought better than most, fairly productive 3" round fruit, good looking, rich, slightly tart flavor."

In any case, it doesn't sound like you have Bonnie's "Pink Beefsteak" or this Beefsteak, Pink.

I quickly looked though the Bonnie's website to see if it looked if they have a variety that fits your description and didn't really notice anything. But I may have missed something, so do look at their other varieties.

http://bonnieplants.com/Vegetables/T...5/Default.aspx

(here's the link for anyone else that wanted to look at it)

August 4, 2006	#1
bbjm Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 155	Pink Beefsteak Isn't I bought a plant at a big box store that was called Pink Beefsteak. I had never heard of it before. I assume it is a common hybrid (This is only my second year growing tomatoes). Anyway, the plant, instead of beefsteaks, produced the most unbelievable number of perfect pink half dollar sized tomatoes. The plant is nearly as productive as a Sweet 100 I'm growing and my family really likes the taste and look of this strange tomato. Does anyone know what might have happened? I assume it is a mistake, but I'd really like to grow the exact same tomato next year. I'm tempted to save seeds and see what happens, but I have very limited space and hate to risk it if there is no chance of getting the same thing. Any thoughts? Thanks Bret

August 5, 2006	#3
bbjm Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 155	I found the label. It is Pink Beefsteak from Bonnie. I found the variety on their website. They say it is an heirloom variety, so who knows what it actually is. Regardless, what I'm growing is not what the label says. The tomatoes are supposed to be large and mine are no bigger than a ping pong ball.

August 5, 2006	#4
elkwc36 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: SW Kansas Posts: 339	Bret I bought a Bonnie plant labeled as Mr. Stripey that is some variety of large paste by appearances. Hasn't ripened yet so can't tell for sure what it might be. Glad yours is one that you like. When buying plants always a chance of a switch. May your yields be bountiful and good luck with the seed saving. See your in KS also. JD

August 5, 2006	#5
Suze Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 3,027	There is actually a Beefsteak, Pink listed in the SSE Yearbook, but that doesn't necessarily mean that this is the same variety that Bonnie Plants has listed at their site, of course. Described as "very hardy plants, withstood heat and drought better than most, fairly productive 3" round fruit, good looking, rich, slightly tart flavor." In any case, it doesn't sound like you have Bonnie's "Pink Beefsteak" or this Beefsteak, Pink. I quickly looked though the Bonnie's website to see if it looked if they have a variety that fits your description and didn't really notice anything. But I may have missed something, so do look at their other varieties. http://bonnieplants.com/Vegetables/T...5/Default.aspx (here's the link for anyone else that wanted to look at it)