Grandma's Oliver Chocolate

smithmal · January 8, 2020

I keep seeing this variety pop up regarding its fabulous flavor and production. What is the history with this variety? Is it stable? I've read there is also a "Marsha" strain but not sure what that means. I read through Marsha's recent winter growing thread in which she grew this variety. Is the Marsha strain any different then what is sold at various vendors? Also what is a good seed source for GOC?

Thanks!

nancyruhl · January 8, 2020

Container Ted has seeds for sale at Heritage Seed Market. I did my seeds from Marsha on her annual seed offer, but she is no longer active here.

teyger · January 21, 2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by nancyruhl

Container Ted has seeds for sale at Heritage Seed Market. I did my seeds from Marsha on her annual seed offer, but she is no longer active here.

What happened to Marsha? Why is she not active anymore?

FarmerShawn · January 22, 2020

By the way, there's lots of seed for Grandma Oliver's Chocolate available in Carolyn's Last Seed Offer going on now in the Available for Trade thread.
Shawn

sic transit gloria · February 13, 2020

GOC is a nice variety. Productive, flavorful, and did not succumb to diseases. I'll definitely grow it again this year.

PaulF · January 8, 2020

From Tatianna's Tomatobase: A cross developed by Marianna's Heirloom Seeds from Grandma Oliver's Green and a black tomato, stabilized to F5 and offered in 2009 catalog.

Heritage lists it and so does Mariannna. Should be stable by now.

smithmal · January 8, 2020

NancyRuhl,

Thanks for the seed source.

So, there's so such thing as a "Marsha" strain correct. Individuals that say Marsha are the end of the name are just indicating their seed source? I haven't seen that done before with nomanclature so I was confused.

MissS · January 8, 2020

There is absolutely no such thing as a Marsha seed strain. That just happens to be one of the sources that people have gotten their seeds from.

smithmal · January 9, 2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissS

There is absolutely no such thing as a Marsha seed strain. That just happens to be one of the sources that people have gotten their seeds from.

Patti,

Thanks for the response, I appreciate it.

Couple questions:

1. I saw Marianna's seed source questioned in terms of varient stability in the "Hybrid is as Hybrid does" thread. Are there any concerns with getting seeds from there? Jake's seeds indicates they are providing seeds that are at least a 8th generation (F8; not sure what Marianna or Hertiage generation number is): https://jakeseed.com/product/grandma...irloom-tomato/

2. What is the DTM considered for this variant? I haven't been able to find it on any of the seed source listings.

Thanks!

FarmerShawn · January 9, 2020

It might help to get the name exactly right when doing searches - it's Grandma Oliver's Chocolate (rather than Grandma's Oliver Chocolate). I grow it, and may be able to send a few seeds...
FarmerShawn

smithmal · January 9, 2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmerShawn

It might help to get the name exactly right when doing searches - it's Grandma Oliver's Chocolate (rather than Grandma's Oliver Chocolate). I grow it, and may be able to send a few seeds...
FarmerShawn

FarmerShawn,

What is the DTM for GOC?

Thanks,

smithmal

ContainerTed · January 10, 2020

The seeds I have listed on Heritage Seed Market come from the tomatoes in the picture. Since everybody will have a different experience with the "DTM", I list tomatoes as being early, Mid-season, or late. GOC was "Mid-Season" for me here in Eastern Tennessee at an altitude of ~1000 feet. Mid season for me is about 75 days, but your experience might be different (as in slightly earlier or later by a few days). DTM is the experience the grower has with the variety and may vary from season to season and from location to location. It is also affected by the growing of the seedlings and a myriad of other things that can affect it.

The taste of this variety is the best I have ever tasted. It's the top dog out of the ~3000 I've grown. Take care and don't pass it up, regardless of where you get your seeds.

Here's a couple of pictures

FarmerShawn · January 10, 2020

Thanks, Ted, for your detailed explanation. I was going to say "mid-season," but I have no idea of DTM. Here in frozen northern Vermont, if I get tomatoes during our short summer, it's a mid season variety, or early. Late ones require my hoophouse if I'm to get anything at all from them.

oakley · January 10, 2020

"There is absolutely no such thing as a Marsha seed strain. That just happens to be one of the sources that people have gotten their seeds from."

I always thought 'strain' meant it is most definitely the same tomato being careful in seed saving but it is seed saved for a number of years in a row and has all the characteristics
but lets watch it. Excellent enough to share with such great flavor but one key element
might be off.

Please correct me as I've used 'strain' vs 'original TGS' seed or 'farmers market pineapple'
...just to keep the source of the seed clear.

I have notations on all my personal saved seed and put the seed source on the Marsha
seed envelopes I sent to her for the offer. To have a trail for research hunting if we get something
off what is expected.

like GGWT. I have a packet from Jesica and from Marsha and my saved seed from last season.

Maybe we should ask Marsha. I'm guessing I'm wrong.

imp · January 10, 2020

Wouldn't having or developing a strain and being a noted on a seed packet as the seed source be different things?

Knowing in a swap, whose seeds you get can be good if something does not grow true.

January 8, 2020	#1
smithmal Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Sykesville, MD Posts: 42	Grandma's Oliver Chocolate I keep seeing this variety pop up regarding its fabulous flavor and production. What is the history with this variety? Is it stable? I've read there is also a "Marsha" strain but not sure what that means. I read through Marsha's recent winter growing thread in which she grew this variety. Is the Marsha strain any different then what is sold at various vendors? Also what is a good seed source for GOC? Thanks!

January 22, 2020	#4
FarmerShawn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,001	By the way, there's lots of seed for Grandma Oliver's Chocolate available in Carolyn's Last Seed Offer going on now in the Available for Trade thread. Shawn __________________ "Red meat is NOT bad for you. Now blue-green meat, THAT'S bad for you!" -- Tommy Smothers

January 8, 2020	#6
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,296	From Tatianna's Tomatobase: A cross developed by Marianna's Heirloom Seeds from Grandma Oliver's Green and a black tomato, stabilized to F5 and offered in 2009 catalog. Heritage lists it and so does Mariannna. Should be stable by now. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.

January 8, 2020	#8
MissS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 3,150	There is absolutely no such thing as a Marsha seed strain. That just happens to be one of the sources that people have gotten their seeds from. __________________ ~ Patti ~

January 9, 2020	#10
FarmerShawn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,001	It might help to get the name exactly right when doing searches - it's Grandma Oliver's Chocolate (rather than Grandma's Oliver Chocolate). I grow it, and may be able to send a few seeds... FarmerShawn __________________ "Red meat is NOT bad for you. Now blue-green meat, THAT'S bad for you!" -- Tommy Smothers

January 8, 2020	#2
nancyruhl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan Posts: 1,051	Container Ted has seeds for sale at Heritage Seed Market. I did my seeds from Marsha on her annual seed offer, but she is no longer active here.

February 13, 2020	#5
sic transit gloria Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KS 5b/6a Posts: 249	GOC is a nice variety. Productive, flavorful, and did not succumb to diseases. I'll definitely grow it again this year.

January 10, 2020	#13
FarmerShawn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,001	Thanks, Ted, for your detailed explanation. I was going to say "mid-season," but I have no idea of DTM. Here in frozen northern Vermont, if I get tomatoes during our short summer, it's a mid season variety, or early. Late ones require my hoophouse if I'm to get anything at all from them. __________________ "Red meat is NOT bad for you. Now blue-green meat, THAT'S bad for you!" -- Tommy Smothers

January 10, 2020	#14
oakley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NewYork 5a Posts: 2,303	*"There is absolutely no such thing as a Marsha seed strain. That just happens to be one of the sources that people have gotten their seeds from."* I always thought 'strain' meant it is most definitely the same tomato being careful in seed saving but it is seed saved for a number of years in a row and has all the characteristics but lets watch it. Excellent enough to share with such great flavor but one key element might be off. Please correct me as I've used 'strain' vs 'original TGS' seed or 'farmers market pineapple' ...just to keep the source of the seed clear. I have notations on all my personal saved seed and put the seed source on the Marsha seed envelopes I sent to her for the offer. To have a trail for research hunting if we get something off what is expected. like GGWT. I have a packet from Jesica and from Marsha and my saved seed from last season. Maybe we should ask Marsha. I'm guessing I'm wrong.

January 10, 2020	#15
imp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 4,832	Wouldn't having or developing a strain and being a noted on a seed packet as the seed source be different things? Knowing in a swap, whose seeds you get can be good if something does not grow true. __________________ I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing. Last edited by imp; January 11, 2020 at 12:13 AM.