Joe Thieneman's Australian Heart

**Lee** · June 29, 2008

Here's the first big mater of the 08 season.
DTM = 64 days
Size = 5/8 pound
Taste - Very good. 7.5/10 Meaty and sweet flavored. One of the better sweet
leaning tomatoes I've tasted.

Seed saving - In progress, but only about 10 seeds in the whole fruit!

Thanks Gary M. for the seeds!

Lee

Tania · October 25, 2011

It is a beautiful red heart!

I am still a bit confused whether Joe Thieneman's Australian Heart is the same or different from Australian Giant Heart. Anybody knows for sure? The descriptions are very similar, and historical notes are too.

I have also seen a Kentucky connection mentioned somewhere for Australian Giant Heart, which does not make too much sense to me, given the name.

Tania

Tania · October 25, 2011

The only connection I can see is

- I got seeds for Australian Giant Oxheart from Gary Millwood
- Gary volunteered at Thienemans nursery in Louisville, Kentucky

I guess I should PM Gary

Tania

Suze · October 25, 2011

Please post back if you would when you figure it out, Tatiana.

I vaguely recall having some confusion about this as well - I think from either my '09 or '10 garden in terms of what is what with hearts that have "Australian" in the name. Edit/add - my confusion was in regard to Mike's Australian [see also] -which is a red heart- and one other with "Australian" in the name I also grew that year which I neglected to take photos of that seemed to be almost identical to the Mike's. Australian Oxheart, perhaps? Not sure - need to go back and look at my gardening notes to determine the full name (as sent to me, at least) and source of the other one...

Nice photo, Lee.

Tania · October 25, 2011

I got a response from Gary, he said that as far as he knows these are one and the same variety. He also wrote that

Quote:

Thieneman's Nursery started by Joe Thieneman received the seed from soldier returning after WW11. Joe was a dedicated seed saver. One has to assume that it found its way to others because it is one of the most requested varieties each spring here. This was the eleventh year I have been involved helping with seed selection at the nursery ...

Given the number of years Joe Thieneman grew this tomato in Kentucky, I think it is qualified to be called a Kentucky heirloom!

**Lee** · October 25, 2011

Since Gary sent me these seeds, I would go with his recommendation.
Now, how did you find this 3 year old thread?!

Lee

Tania · October 25, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suze

Please post back if you would when you figure it out, Tatiana.

I vaguely recall having some confusion about this as well - I think from either my '09 or '10 garden in terms of what is what with hearts that have "Australian" in the name. Edit/add - my confusion was in regard to Mike's Australian [see also] -which is a red heart- and one other with "Australian" in the name I also grew that year which I neglected to take photos of that seemed to be almost identical to the Mike's. Australian Oxheart, perhaps? Not sure - need to go back and look at my gardening notes to determine the full name (as sent to me, at least) and source of the other one...

Nice photo, Lee.

Suze,

I also grew Mike's Australian, and it is a very nice heart. Its history seems to be different - I have it at TOMATObase (http://t.tatianastomatobase.com:88/w...27s_Australian)

To add to the confusion, there is also Australian Giant Heart, Australian Giant Oxheart, and Australian Oxheart names out there, in addition to Joe Thieneman's Australian Heart.

Suze · October 25, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

Since Gary sent me these seeds, I would go with his recommendation.
Now, how did you find this 3 year old thread?!

Lee

Search function + Tatiana has a keen interest in figuring out and getting histories of Australian heart-shaped tomatoes on tomatobase correct to the best of her ability, I guess.

Hopefully, we aren't taking your thread too far OT, Lee - (and that does look like a nice tomato.)

T, I sent you further info about the Mike's via PM. Edit - I now recall doing some searches at the time and determining the history on that one was a bit different, but thank you for the reminder and tbase link.

Tania · October 25, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suze

Search function + Tatiana has a keen interest in figuring out and getting histories of Australian heart-shaped tomatoes on tomatobase correct to the best of her ability, I guess.

Suze,

I got your PM, thank you!

October 25, 2011	#2
Tania Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anmore, BC, Canada Posts: 3,970	It is a beautiful red heart! I am still a bit confused whether Joe Thieneman's Australian Heart is the same or different from Australian Giant Heart. Anybody knows for sure? The descriptions are very similar, and historical notes are too. I have also seen a Kentucky connection mentioned somewhere for Australian Giant Heart, which does not make too much sense to me, given the name. Tania __________________ Tatiana's TOMATObase

October 25, 2011	#3
Tania Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anmore, BC, Canada Posts: 3,970	The only connection I can see is - I got seeds for Australian Giant Oxheart from Gary Millwood - Gary volunteered at Thienemans nursery in Louisville, Kentucky I guess I should PM Gary Tania __________________ Tatiana's TOMATObase

October 25, 2011	#6
Lee Tomatopalooza™ Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NC-Zone 7 Posts: 2,188	Since Gary sent me these seeds, I would go with his recommendation. Now, how did you find this 3 year old thread?! Lee __________________ Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put one in a fruit salad. Cuostralee - The best thing on sliced bread.

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October 25, 2011	#4
Suze Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 3,027	Please post back if you would when you figure it out, Tatiana. I vaguely recall having some confusion about this as well - I think from either my '09 or '10 garden in terms of what is what with hearts that have "Australian" in the name. Edit/add - my confusion was in regard to Mike's Australian [see also] -which is a red heart- and one other with "Australian" in the name I also grew that year which I neglected to take photos of that seemed to be almost identical to the Mike's. Australian Oxheart, perhaps? Not sure - need to go back and look at my gardening notes to determine the full name (as sent to me, at least) and source of the other one... Nice photo, Lee.