HELP APPRECIATED: Tatiana's TOMATObase

Tania,

That is a great resource.

Looking at the list, it causes me to wonder how some things like the number of vendors listing a variety evolved. Does word of mouth or bad reports in forums cause varieties to be included or excluded from vendor lists. I would like to understand how the numerous "Brandywine" varieties evolved. The first Brandywine I became familiar with was Sudduths and it isn't well represented by the vendor numbers. I believe if I had to name a new tomato to gain instant recognition, I would probably attach Brandywine to it's name. How did so many "Mortgage Lifter" varieties evolve? How many variety names are on the list which in fact represent the same tomato. Do some vendors simply rename a variety to lend credence to their website or garner attention. I know some of my questions can be partially answered by looking at the "Approved or Recommended Vendors List" in this forum.

I don't really expect answers to my questions, but I do wish it was possible to correlate traits to variety names in order to eliminate "renames" from a variety master list.

Thanks again.
Ted

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by tedln

Tania,

That is a great resource.

Looking at the list, it causes me to wonder how some things like the number of vendors listing a variety evolved. Does word of mouth or bad reports in forums cause varieties to be included or excluded from vendor lists. I would like to understand how the numerous "Brandywine" varieties evolved. The first Brandywine I became familiar with was Sudduths and it isn't well represented by the vendor numbers. I believe if I had to name a new tomato to gain instant recognition, I would probably attach Brandywine to it's name. How did so many "Mortgage Lifter" varieties evolve? How many variety names are on the list which in fact represent the same tomato. Do some vendors simply rename a variety to lend credence to their website or garner attention. I know some of my questions can be partially answered by looking at the "Approved or Recommended Vendors List" in this forum.

I don't really expect answers to my questions, but I do wish it was possible to correlate traits to variety names in order to eliminate "renames" from a variety master list.

Thanks again.
Ted

If you don't expect answers maybe I shouldn't be posting.

I don't know if you're an SSE member or not b/c many of your answers are there in the back Yearbooks and also at message sites from long ago where Iparticipated.

Was Brandywine Sudduth/Quisenberry the first? Possibly, but going way back folks apparently just listed what they grew as Brandywine, someof them being Sudduth, some not. It wasn't until later that there was a listing for Brandywine Sudduth in the Yearbooks.

And it isn't represented by many vendor lists b'c they haven't the faintest idea of what they list re options. All the other Brandywines that came along just had a growers name attached, so are not strains of Brandywine.

One good example Ilove is Brandywine, Pawers. it was a typo that created that one, which doesn't exist. it was listed by Roger Wentling of PA which makes his SSE code PA WE R, so there you go.

Those who have grown ou tmany of the so called strains of Brandywine in the same season find little difference although I must say that it wasn't until Craig L sent me the Sudduth one that I could tell a difference.

The same situation occurs with all the so called
Mortgage Lifter ones, little no difference between them as grown in the same season by several SSE folks.

The Estler one I do consider as being different and there is another one I think called the Mullens one that has pale leaves.

Some vendors know more about what they list than do others, is all I can say.

Carolyn

[Heritage]

Michael,

An amazing job of programming, thank you! (I owe you)

Now you need to develop a magic tool that kills your spider mites

Steve

Carolyn,

I grew a gold colored tomato two years ago which the vendor had applied his name to. Supposedly it had been mailed to him by an acquaintance and only had a description, but not a name.

Just for the heck of it, I planted KBX side by side with the vendors variety. From the moment the two varieties germinated until both died late in the season, I couldn't discern a difference between them. I'm sure if I went back to the list constructed by Tania, both would be represented, but in my mind; they are the same, identical tomato variety.

Some day I will grow Brandywine Sudduth and Cowlicks Brandywine side by side for comparative purposes. I know the story of how the Cowlicks name was acquired and many people have attested to differences between the varieties. Sometimes it seems to help by growing varieties in totally identical conditions in the same season to really see the differences.

Rutgers is a good example of name confusion and varietal differences. If I remember the list correctly, it is sold simply as Rutgers by fifteen vendors. Then six different varietal names are listed with six different vendors. To top it off, SASE lists a single variety as new and as (original strain). How can a gardener possibly know what he or she is ordering or receiving? Cornell University even recently announced their intent to genetically reconstruct the original strain from the original parentage. That causes me to believe the original strain no longer exists and probably won't exist after Cornell completes their project.

Ted

[Redbaron]

Originally Posted by Heritage

Michael,

An amazing job of programming, thank you! (I owe you)

Now you need to develop a magic tool that kills your spider mites

Steve

predatory mites

[doublehelix]

Tania I apologize for being upset and posting it here. I should have followed my own protocol and privately contacted you. As I said, I was “hurt and surprised.” That is because I like you and think highly of you.
I was under the impression that vendors put in their own information since I did my own listings last year. I was surprised to find out otherwise from this thread. A friend had just started posting this year’s listings for me including all of the 80 or so new varieties I am currently offering and updates to last year’s Tomatobase listings. So when I saw the two comments about DHF and simultaneously finding out someone else was doing my listings I reacted.
I want to thank everyone for all the positive comments. I really appreciate the support.
Again, I am sorry for posting here. Pain sometimes makes people impulsive. I am having a bad month, I suppose.
I have had a fair amount of interaction with Tania here and through email exchanges. I have even sent her a few seeds. She has always been gracious, kind, and professional.
--Steve

[KathyDC]

I apologize if this was answered elsewhere, but are you still interested in growing notes? Could you show an example of one you have posted now that you did yourself or that you like the format of? I am very new to gardening, but looking for a way to help as I've already benefited from the information on Tomatobase. And if I can do something that's helpful I would like to.

I am also familiar with the Mediawiki software's markup so that should be easy for me to deal with.

[Tania]

Steve, thank you so much for responding here, I am so happy to know that we settled the issue! You do not need any additional stress in your life at this time. I hope the things will start looking up for you soon.

[I had my share of health issues and I know how difficult it is to deal with many things and how much my emotional response was also affected. I hope most of it behind me now. ]

[Tania]

Kathy,

Yes, I am still very interested - I believe this will benefit all the tomato growers to see notes from more gardeners, new or experienced - it does not matter.

I talked to Mischka, and I will open a new thread where I will post some tutorials about how to edit wiki and post your notes and pictures. Mischka will make it a sticky, so it would be easy to find. We can use that new thread for Q&A too, as well as for any useful editing tips.

I know some folks were sending their notes and pictures directly to me, and this was OK up until now when I am getting much more, to the point of me becoming a bottleneck (currently I am about 200+ pictures behind)

[Tania]

I posted an updated spreadsheet here: http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...906#post319906

[Tania]

Wiki editing basics are now being posted here: http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...936#post319936

I hope it will be useful for all folks who generously offered to post their notes or photos to Tatiana's TOMATObase. I will be happy to answer all questions related to posting and editing wiki in that new thread.

THANK YOU!