A tomato named "Peardrop"

ContainerTed · June 23, 2011

Was in Lowes today to get some decorator flower pots for the DW's newest flowers. I usually have a look at their "Distressed Plants" to see if there's anything I might want to try to doctor back to life.

Found a bunch of super-micro-dwarf-sized tomato plants with all kinds of yellow teardrop shaped tomatoes that were very obviously very ripe. Many of the little toms were laying on the shelves of the cart and, as usual, I saw an opportunity to expand my seed collection.

I asked the cashier if they would mind me taking some of the loose toms and she said "no problem" and pointed to the dozen or so that had been squished under foot already. They have to clean that up before end of shift. So, I came away with a modest 3.

The flavor is not bland, but also not tart. It has good depth and would be great in a salad with a dressing that would not mask the taste completely. It would also be a good "muncher" (snack them all before they make it to the house.)

Here's a pix of the fruit. Yes, I saved seeds.

**carolyn137** · June 23, 2011

http://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.co...es/cherry.html

Ted, it looks like what you have is described above on that cherry tomato page.

ContainerTed · June 24, 2011

Yep, that be the one. I don't find any thing in that link to say it's a hybrid, so I'll proceed under the concept that it is OP. From the looks of the ones at Lowes, it would be a good candidate for a hanging basket or that upside down "wind sock" thingie.

Thanks, Carolyn. I've ordered from Swallowtail a few times now and have always gotten prompt/accurate service. The taste wasn't quite as "tart" as their ad, but it definitely was not another Yellow Pear bland thingie.

Now, to the garden for a day of weeding and tying up tomatoes.

akgardengirl · June 24, 2011

How does it compare to the "Mini Gold" that you like so well? I am fond of the way the little yellow tomatoes look but of course want them to taste good!
Sue B.

ContainerTed · June 24, 2011

Sue, I think I would give it rating that was at least equal to Mini Gold, if not a bit better. The factor that makes me a wee bit vague on this is that it was one of my first tomatoes of the season. So, I have to add in the "want home-growns" warping of my taste buds.

But, all in all, if you're going to do a miniature potted plant, this one should be on your list of possibles.

clara · June 24, 2011

Ted, if it's really Ildi, you should NOT consider a hanging basket, but a good cage or strong stake! Ildi is indet. and bears huges trusses of fruits - if you take good care of it, you can expext up to 600 - 700 little fruits. I'm growing it since several years and all my colleagues to whom I had given my additional seedlings want it again, because: When first frost is expected and there are still lots of unripe fruits, you can cut the stem, hang it "topsy-turvy" in a cool dark room and the remaining fruits will ripen. If you have good luck, you may harvest your own tomatoes till Christmas. Mine are always eaten up mid of November... clara

PS: Ildi originates in Russia and yes, it's OP.

ContainerTed · June 24, 2011

Well, Clara, it's really not Ildi. I've grown that one before. This plant was in a 6 inch nursery cup and only about 8 inches tall with fully ripe fruit. Check out the link to Swallowtail Seeds that Carolyn put in. A few pictures down on the initial screen and you can see what I saw at Lowes.

BTW, it wasn't a Bonnie Plants label.

shlacm · June 25, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by ContainerTed

Yep, that be the one. I don't find any thing in that link to say it's a hybrid, so I'll proceed under the concept that it is OP. From the looks of the ones at Lowes, it would be a good candidate for a hanging basket or that upside down "wind sock" thingie.

Thanks, Carolyn. I've ordered from Swallowtail a few times now and have always gotten prompt/accurate service. The taste wasn't quite as "tart" as their ad, but it definitely was not another Yellow Pear bland thingie.

Now, to the garden for a day of weeding and tying up tomatoes.

It doesn't say it's a hybrid, however it's also not marked (OP) the way some of the others are: Yellow Pear and Ildi for example.

June 23, 2011	#2
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	http://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.co...es/cherry.html Ted, it looks like what you have is described above on that cherry tomato page. __________________ Carolyn

June 24, 2011	#3
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Yep, that be the one. I don't find any thing in that link to say it's a hybrid, so I'll proceed under the concept that it is OP. From the looks of the ones at Lowes, it would be a good candidate for a hanging basket or that upside down "wind sock" thingie. Thanks, Carolyn. I've ordered from Swallowtail a few times now and have always gotten prompt/accurate service. The taste wasn't quite as "tart" as their ad, but it definitely was not another Yellow Pear bland thingie. Now, to the garden for a day of weeding and tying up tomatoes. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

June 24, 2011	#5
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Sue, I think I would give it rating that was at least equal to Mini Gold, if not a bit better. The factor that makes me a wee bit vague on this is that it was one of my first tomatoes of the season. So, I have to add in the "want home-growns" warping of my taste buds. But, all in all, if you're going to do a miniature potted plant, this one should be on your list of possibles. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

June 24, 2011	#7
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Well, Clara, it's really not Ildi. I've grown that one before. This plant was in a 6 inch nursery cup and only about 8 inches tall with fully ripe fruit. Check out the link to Swallowtail Seeds that Carolyn put in. A few pictures down on the initial screen and you can see what I saw at Lowes. BTW, it wasn't a Bonnie Plants label. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

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June 24, 2011	#4
akgardengirl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4 Posts: 1,410	How does it compare to the "Mini Gold" that you like so well? I am fond of the way the little yellow tomatoes look but of course want them to taste good! Sue B.

June 24, 2011	#6
clara Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 1,351	Ted, if it's really Ildi, you should NOT consider a hanging basket, but a good cage or strong stake! Ildi is indet. and bears huges trusses of fruits - if you take good care of it, you can expext up to 600 - 700 little fruits. I'm growing it since several years and all my colleagues to whom I had given my additional seedlings want it again, because: When first frost is expected and there are still lots of unripe fruits, you can cut the stem, hang it "topsy-turvy" in a cool dark room and the remaining fruits will ripen. If you have good luck, you may harvest your own tomatoes till Christmas. Mine are always eaten up mid of November... clara PS: Ildi originates in Russia and yes, it's OP.