So, what's new in tomato culture

[ContainerTed]

Originally Posted by carolyn137

Ted,I did not see that Andy was dictating anything,rather,just reporting back in book form his own research in the area as many before him have done in various areas..

And I'm not so sure I'd believe Ph.D's,however many, can always be objective,regardless of the Universities they are associated with since the only Ph.D's I know,such as Dr.David Francis at Ohio State University,have their own objectives in what they want to accomplish in their breeding programs.

The best Ph.D I know and have known him for a long time is Dr.Randy Gardner, formerly of the University of NC ,now retired,but still actively breeding tomatoes.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Dr+R..._AUIBygA&dpr=1

I used to send him heirloom varieties ,he asked for them,to incorporate in his breeding programs and also trialed some varieties for him and Darrel (Fusion)also knows him well as does Tom Wagner since Randy was very generous in sending some of his germplasm to others.Randy was the one who bred the very popular Mountain series,and the first F1 that had a bit of tolerance for Early Blight,and several more.

Also the one who more recently bred Mountain Magic, Plum Regal and I can't remember the third one right now, all F1's and MM was the one that I and many others loved the best as to taste and many have now used it in their own breeding programs b/c of all the tolerance disease genes and other genes that were bred into it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=moun..._AUIBygA&dpr=1

I couldn't believe it when Randy sent me huge amts for all three and I made a separate seed offer for them here at Tville,where many got them. He had contracted with Bejo to do the seed production for all 3 but there were problems,which is why he sent those seeds to me so that others could experience them.

Eventually Bejo got the seed production done and they showed up everywhere such as Johnny's,Territorial TGS and many more places also.

So,as for me and my tribe,I don't equate having a Ph.D in this area as always being objective.

Whatever,I was just trying to help.

Carolyn

Well, Carolyn, we are both saying the same thing. Most of the books I've found have references and so forth, but I said that about the PHD's just to emphasize that Will Tracey was not just a "good ole boy" talking over his head. And, I just don't think that Smith is the sole authority on the history of the tomato. I believe there are "some" facts in all the documents and books, and I just think that I can isolate those facts better if I expose myself to more than one opinion. Smith was good, but he is just one piece of the puzzle.

BTW, I follow Randy on Facebook. He's got some new stuff in both tomatoes and Peppers that are gorgeous.