Iowa Heirlooms?

[Gardenfresh]

I will be speaking to a group of Iowa MGs on heirloom/op tomatoes and thought it would be fun to include some with Iowa "ties". Esther Hess Cherry and Wapsipinicon Peach are all I've been able to find so far. Was hoping there were more and that some of you would know? Any help/leads will be greatly appreciated!

[Cole_Robbie]

Amana Orange is named after the Amana Colonies. They have a fascinating story: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amana_Colonies

[Tania]

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

Amana Orange is named after the Amana Colonies. They have a fascinating story: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amana_Colonies

I thought the story was different.
It was introduced to SSE in 1985 by Gary Staley of Brandon, Florida (FL ST G). Gary Staley named it after the Amana Corporation, where he worked as a customer service manager.

[Cole_Robbie]

From what I read, it's both. But you're right, the tomato does not come from Iowa.

http://www.vegetablegardener.com/ite...u-glad-i-asked
Gary named his new tomato ‘Amana Orange’ because he was working as a customer service representative for Amana Refrigeration in the 1980s. In those days, customer service reps traveled around their multi-state territories solving problems for distributors, which could include repairing equipment. Gary lived in Cincinnati at the time, but several times a year he traveled to the Amana facility in Amana, Iowa, where the refrigerators and microwaves were made.
During his visits he had the chance to get acquainted with the folks who lived in the group of settlements called the Amana Colonies. The colonies were founded in 1855 as a self-sufficient religious community.
“I loved my job and I loved the Amana Colonies so much that I named the tomato ‘Amana Orange’,” Gary explained.

[Tania]

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

From what I read, it's both. But you're right, the tomato does not come from Iowa.

http://www.vegetablegardener.com/ite...u-glad-i-asked
Gary named his new tomato ‘Amana Orange’ because he was working as a customer service representative for Amana Refrigeration in the 1980s. In those days, customer service reps traveled around their multi-state territories solving problems for distributors, which could include repairing equipment. Gary lived in Cincinnati at the time, but several times a year he traveled to the Amana facility in Amana, Iowa, where the refrigerators and microwaves were made.
During his visits he had the chance to get acquainted with the folks who lived in the group of settlements called the Amana Colonies. The colonies were founded in 1855 as a self-sufficient religious community.
“I loved my job and I loved the Amana Colonies so much that I named the tomato ‘Amana Orange’,” Gary explained.

Awesome link - thank you!!!

[ScottinAtlanta]

Check out: http://www.heirloomtoms.org/store/in...dshow&ref=iowa

[carolyn137]

Search here for DeanRIowa , his user name, and best to use posts instead of threads, and contact and ask him the same question.

SSE is also in IA, but I wouldn't contact them directly. In the past Dean has helped out with computer issues at SSE and if he can't give you some names, perhaps he can direct you to someone he knows who can.

Carolyn

[simmran1]

Gardenfresh,

I can only think of Woodle Orange and Arty's Italian right now.

Arty's Italian being dist. by IA SC D supposedly from Alburnet, IA. Woodle Orange is usually near perfect and requested every year. Arty's I have grown the plant, but gave it away to a Big Pimpkin grower near Mt. Pleasant. There are probably others and maybe I will think of 'morrow - Randy

[Gardenfresh]

You guys are great, that's three tomatoes I was unaware of!

Randy I may know the big pumpkin grower you refer to, was his name Marty? I hope so, and hope he saved seeds. Feeling stupid here.....what is "IA SC D"?

I was aware of Amana Orange, thinking it a bit of a stretch, but sharing it with the quote from Gary, will give it an Iowa "tie" - thanks Cole!

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by Gardenfresh

You guys are great, that's three tomatoes I was unaware of!

Randy I may know the big pumpkin grower you refer to, was his name Marty? I hope so, and hope he saved seeds. Feeling stupid here.....what is "IA SC D"?

I was aware of Amana Orange, thinking it a bit of a stretch, but sharing it with the quote from Gary, will give it an Iowa "tie" - thanks Cole!

IA SC D is the SSE code for someone who is an SSE member, usually those who are listed members which means they list varieties in the Annual Yearbook.

I never disclose the actual names when such codes are posted, but to give you an idea, here's mine

NY, origin of where the person lives, could be a US state or a foreign country as well.

MA, first two letters of my last name

C, first letter of my first name.

So NY MA C is

Carolyn Male who is in NY state.

Carolyn, who writes NY MA C on every pack of seeds she sends out with the year they were packed by me as well as the age of the seeds.

[Gardenfresh]

Well thanks for explaining that Carolyn, I (obviously) am not a SSE member, but would like to be someday. We did get to visit Seed Savers in Decorah two years ago. Also had the pleasure of listening to Diane Whealy speak at a local MG meeting- what a treat that was!

[simmran1]

Gardenfresh,

Yes, you do know the big pumpkin grower that would be Marty. I will be seeing him again at the spring symposium on March 1. And yes Carolyn is right; its a privacy issue speaking of a person not engaged in the conversation here. And yes you should join, as we're always appreciative of enthusiastic gardeners where ever they reside, especially Hawkeyes. (Or Cyclone fans).

And back to the subject, there have to be other Iowa heirlooms besides Woodle Orange and Wapsipinicon Peach... Have a good search, R

[recruiterg]

I grow Kolb Pink.

From Tatiana's site:

History

Seeds came from Kolb Greenhouse in Storm Lake, Iowa 50+ years ago (in the 1940-50s?).
Introduced to SSE by IA BA S in 1982. (needs verification)

[DeanRIowa]

I few more I have ran across are:
Embree's Small Orange
Gerig
Yellow Icicle

For research I would start at SSE and Sandhill Preservations, but now is the wrong time of year with it being their busy season.

With OP varieties being part of your question I bet researching some old Iowa seed catalogs of now defunct companies could help, i.e.
Henry Fields
Burpee
Berry Seed Company
Mills Seed Company
Iowa Seed Company

Dean

[Gardenfresh]

Originally Posted by DeanRIowa

I few more I have ran across are:
Embree's Small Orange
Gerig
Yellow Icicle

For research I would start at SSE and Sandhill Preservations, but now is the wrong time of year with it being their busy season.

With OP varieties being part of your question I bet researching some old Iowa seed catalogs of now defunct companies could help, i.e.
Henry Fields
Burpee
Berry Seed Company
Mills Seed Company
Iowa Seed Company

Dean

I'm not finding any information about Yellow Icicle's tie to Iowa, only the Urkraine. What am I missing?
http://tatianastomatobase.com/wiki/Yellow_Icicle