More info on three new varieties I grew last year - Shannon's, etc

**nctomatoman** · December 18, 2007

This will be of particular interest to Feldon, Grub, Retiree - and anyone else whom I've shared seeds of these new (to me) heirlooms.

The tomato that I called unnamed German heirloom last year (a really nice tomato, large reg. leaf pink): I just found the seed packet and envelope that the seeds came in. I got them last spring from Ron Simmons of Walnut Cove, NC. The packet says Hege, Davidson County, German Pink (Hege is underlined). My inclination is to name it Hege German Pink - I will write back to Mr. Simmons to see what else I can find out.

Shannon's is from Greg Fee of Waxhaw, NC. His grandparents, Polish immigrants, lived in Cannonsburg PA, and always grew a "Russian" tomato that they got from someone in the neighborhood (a Russian immigrant who got them from his homeland). Once Greg saw how many generically named "Russian" tomatoes there were, he renamed it for his daughter - hence "Shannon's". It is regular leaf, wispy, and produces delicious long but still somewhat blocky (between Opalka and a heart in shape) red tomatoes. I've not seen anything quite like it - Prue is a bit smaller and more narrow. Bisignano is more variable in shape.

Someone at the FArmer's Market also handed me a small packet of seeds labeled Pa Fine's German Johnson. I grew it last year - it is potato leaf, large oblate pink, with very few seeds (I've not shared it with anyone yet). I couldn't save very many seeds at all - flavor was very good.

Also, just for completeness, about Anna Banana Russian...I received it from Michael Walker, Ellensburg, WA. He calls it a sport or mutation from Anna Russian, as it comes true for him (and me as well) - bright yellow, 10-12 ounce blunt heart shaped fruit, good flavor, wispy foliage.

feldon30 · December 18, 2007

Glad to hear it won't be simply "mystery German heirloom" but has some history.

I'll wait to start naming it until you get confirmation. Of course because it's pink, it can't be on my "must grow Red list" now can it?

Grub · December 18, 2007

Thanks Craig.

Always great to get some history on what we are growing or intend to grow. Now, I take Patrina has the seeds? Sounds like a must-grow, in fact, the more I read this the more I need them.

Best wishes. Grubs.

**Patrina_Pepperina** · January 25, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grub

Thanks Craig.
Now, I take Patrina has the seeds?

Grub, I have Anna Banana Russian (thought I sent you some, but if not let me know) and Shannon's (can send some with Orange Heirloom). Here's the Shannon's my son grew last season:

PP

cottonpicker · December 18, 2007

craig...... any connection of Hege German Pink tomato with the Hege family of Davidson Co., NC?? I'll bet there is.
Some years back there was a Hege elected Sheriff of Davidson Co. & he was a very controversial person. Will be interesting to discover if Mr. Simmons knows the origins of this tomato and if it is somehow connected with this family.
LarryD

VGary · December 18, 2007

Craig, I'm pleased you are growing the Hege German Pink. It is a good tomato. Ron Simmons is a great guy and grows for the Farmer's Market up in his area. We talk tomatoes and watermelons from time to time.
I'm sending you an e-mail!
Thanks for sharing your growing information here.
Gary

**nctomatoman** · December 18, 2007

Fantastic - the pieces of the puzzle are coming together on this one. I really enjoyed it last year (as did others who tasted it). Will look for your email!

**carolyn137** · December 19, 2007

Craig, someone sent me seeds for that unknown German one and I'm so glad it now has a name.

So let me jot down Hege German Pink somewhere on a piece of paper which I will no doubt misplace, but I know I can ask you again or come back to the search feature here at Tville and find it.

I've heard good things about it and hope to be able to grow it next summer.

Suze · June 2, 2008

I've had a nice harvest of Hege German Pink this year. It's been one of my most productive pinks so far. Great flavor.

Click for Larger Size

**nctomatoman** · June 5, 2008

Haven't really thought much about it, Suze - Gary may be the best authority on what to call it, since he had it before I did, and knows more of the history than I do (it was very, very sketchy in the letter that I received with the seeds). I am happy with whatever it ends up being!

feldon30 · January 25, 2009

VGary,

Thank you very much for filling in the gaps on the Hege German Pink story. It truly is a fantastic tomato, comparable to Brandywine (which I don't say lightly), and productive as all get out.

VGary · January 26, 2009

Feldon, Thanks for sharing your experience with this good tomato. We have so many folks to thank for saving and sharing these wonderful varieties with others!
Gary

You have mail .....

maryinoregon · January 26, 2009

Sounds like Hege's German Pink is a keeper and I'm glad it's being passed on. Anyone have a sense of how it would grow in a short season area? Although I will never completely call the Pacific Northwest a short season climate. It really depends on where you live.

Patrina, what did you think of Anna Banana Russian? I know Ellensburg somewhat. It's a hot and dry place during the summer. Tomatoes grown in the Yakima Valley, not too far away are fabulous and the conditions are the same. Hot and dry. Did you think it was just good or a bit better than that?

Love reading the history of these new to us varieties. Thanks for sharing your results/pictures everyone.

**Patrina_Pepperina** · January 29, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by maryinpnw

S
Patrina, what did you think of Anna Banana Russian?

Mary, I remember that it was beautiful bright yellow and nice and meaty. I didn't write down any notes since it wasn't a dwarf

and I forget the taste!

Must try to grow it again...

Have a great season up there in the PNW!!

Patrina

maryinoregon · January 29, 2009

Thanks Patrina. Couldn't have been that interesting since you can't remember the taste. But would love to try it grown in the volcanic soil of Ellensburg. Great place to grow tomatoes.

December 18, 2007	#1
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	More info on three new varieties I grew last year - Shannon's, etc This will be of particular interest to Feldon, Grub, Retiree - and anyone else whom I've shared seeds of these new (to me) heirlooms. The tomato that I called unnamed German heirloom last year (a really nice tomato, large reg. leaf pink): I just found the seed packet and envelope that the seeds came in. I got them last spring from Ron Simmons of Walnut Cove, NC. The packet says Hege, Davidson County, German Pink (Hege is underlined). My inclination is to name it Hege German Pink - I will write back to Mr. Simmons to see what else I can find out. Shannon's is from Greg Fee of Waxhaw, NC. His grandparents, Polish immigrants, lived in Cannonsburg PA, and always grew a "Russian" tomato that they got from someone in the neighborhood (a Russian immigrant who got them from his homeland). Once Greg saw how many generically named "Russian" tomatoes there were, he renamed it for his daughter - hence "Shannon's". It is regular leaf, wispy, and produces delicious long but still somewhat blocky (between Opalka and a heart in shape) red tomatoes. I've not seen anything quite like it - Prue is a bit smaller and more narrow. Bisignano is more variable in shape. Someone at the FArmer's Market also handed me a small packet of seeds labeled Pa Fine's German Johnson. I grew it last year - it is potato leaf, large oblate pink, with very few seeds (I've not shared it with anyone yet). I couldn't save very many seeds at all - flavor was very good. Also, just for completeness, about Anna Banana Russian...I received it from Michael Walker, Ellensburg, WA. He calls it a sport or mutation from Anna Russian, as it comes true for him (and me as well) - bright yellow, 10-12 ounce blunt heart shaped fruit, good flavor, wispy foliage. __________________ Craig

December 18, 2007	#2
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	Glad to hear it won't be simply "mystery German heirloom" but has some history. I'll wait to start naming it until you get confirmation. Of course because it's pink, it can't be on my "must grow Red list" now can it? __________________ [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]

December 18, 2007	#5
cottonpicker Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SE PA..near Valley Forge Posts: 839	craig...... any connection of Hege German Pink tomato with the Hege family of Davidson Co., NC?? I'll bet there is. Some years back there was a Hege elected Sheriff of Davidson Co. & he was a very controversial person. Will be interesting to discover if Mr. Simmons knows the origins of this tomato and if it is somehow connected with this family. LarryD __________________ "Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause". Victor Hugo

December 18, 2007	#6
VGary Tomatoville Honoree Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 460	German Pink Tomato Craig, I'm pleased you are growing the Hege German Pink. It is a good tomato. Ron Simmons is a great guy and grows for the Farmer's Market up in his area. We talk tomatoes and watermelons from time to time. I'm sending you an e-mail! Thanks for sharing your growing information here. Gary __________________ *"We believe we mere debtors to God in relation to each other and all men, to improve our Time and Talents in this Life, in that manner in which we might be most useful." Shaker Covenant 1795*

December 18, 2007	#7
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Fantastic - the pieces of the puzzle are coming together on this one. I really enjoyed it last year (as did others who tasted it). Will look for your email! __________________ Craig

December 18, 2007	#3
Grub Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,722	Thanks Craig. Always great to get some history on what we are growing or intend to grow. Now, I take Patrina has the seeds? Sounds like a must-grow, in fact, the more I read this the more I need them. Best wishes. Grubs.

December 19, 2007	#8
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	Craig, someone sent me seeds for that unknown German one and I'm so glad it now has a name. So let me jot down Hege German Pink somewhere on a piece of paper which I will no doubt misplace, but I know I can ask you again or come back to the search feature here at Tville and find it. I've heard good things about it and hope to be able to grow it next summer. __________________ Carolyn

June 2, 2008	#9
Suze Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 3,027	I've had a nice harvest of Hege German Pink this year. It's been one of my most productive pinks so far. Great flavor. Click for Larger Size

June 5, 2008	#10
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Haven't really thought much about it, Suze - Gary may be the best authority on what to call it, since he had it before I did, and knows more of the history than I do (it was very, very sketchy in the letter that I received with the seeds). I am happy with whatever it ends up being! __________________ Craig

January 25, 2009	#11
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	VGary, Thank you very much for filling in the gaps on the Hege German Pink story. It truly is a fantastic tomato, comparable to Brandywine (which I don't say lightly), and productive as all get out. __________________ [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]

January 26, 2009	#12
VGary Tomatoville Honoree Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 460	Hege German Pink Tomato Feldon, Thanks for sharing your experience with this good tomato. We have so many folks to thank for saving and sharing these wonderful varieties with others! Gary You have mail ..... __________________ *"We believe we mere debtors to God in relation to each other and all men, to improve our Time and Talents in this Life, in that manner in which we might be most useful." Shaker Covenant 1795*

January 26, 2009	#13
maryinoregon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 361	Sounds like Hege's German Pink is a keeper and I'm glad it's being passed on. Anyone have a sense of how it would grow in a short season area? Although I will never completely call the Pacific Northwest a short season climate. It really depends on where you live. Patrina, what did you think of Anna Banana Russian? I know Ellensburg somewhat. It's a hot and dry place during the summer. Tomatoes grown in the Yakima Valley, not too far away are fabulous and the conditions are the same. Hot and dry. Did you think it was just good or a bit better than that? Love reading the history of these new to us varieties. Thanks for sharing your results/pictures everyone.

January 29, 2009	#15
maryinoregon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 361	Thanks Patrina. Couldn't have been that interesting since you can't remember the taste. But would love to try it grown in the volcanic soil of Ellensburg. Great place to grow tomatoes.