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.

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