So is Goliath OP or a hybrid?

happychick · September 1, 2007

I thought that the regular Goliath (as opposed to Bush Goliath, Italian Goliath, etc.) was OP, but I've seen lots of people refer to it as their favorite hybrid. Can anyone tell me for sure what it is, because if I like it, I want to save seeds if it's OP.

**nctomatoman** · September 1, 2007

What appeared to happen is that a hybrid breeder or two named a recent hybrid Goliath without realizing that there was already an old variety with that name. If what you have is very large, oblate and pink (color of Brandywine, Mortgage Lifter, or Eva Purple Ball, for example), it is the old heirloom (open pollinated) one. If it is red colored (the color of Big Boy, Better Boy, Aker's West Virginia, etc), it is likely the recent hybrid.

happychick · September 1, 2007

Thank you for your help!

darwinslair · September 2, 2011

Hm. Friend of mine gave me one to try (just a tomato) and it tasted good, quite large (20 ounces) and he claimed it was a "Heirloom" but it was deep red, not pink, and had a large heart shape. I saved seeds from it as it seemed worthwhile to try myself, but if it is a hybrid, I am not sure I am interested in doing a large grow out to select out.

Tom

September 1, 2007	#1
happychick Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 37	So is Goliath OP or a hybrid? I thought that the regular Goliath (as opposed to Bush Goliath, Italian Goliath, etc.) was OP, but I've seen lots of people refer to it as their favorite hybrid. Can anyone tell me for sure what it is, because if I like it, I want to save seeds if it's OP.

September 1, 2007	#2
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	What appeared to happen is that a hybrid breeder or two named a recent hybrid Goliath without realizing that there was already an old variety with that name. If what you have is very large, oblate and pink (color of Brandywine, Mortgage Lifter, or Eva Purple Ball, for example), it is the old heirloom (open pollinated) one. If it is red colored (the color of Big Boy, Better Boy, Aker's West Virginia, etc), it is likely the recent hybrid. __________________ Craig

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September 2, 2011	#4
darwinslair Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lake Minnetonka MN Posts: 229	Hm. Friend of mine gave me one to try (just a tomato) and it tasted good, quite large (20 ounces) and he claimed it was a "Heirloom" but it was deep red, not pink, and had a large heart shape. I saved seeds from it as it seemed worthwhile to try myself, but if it is a hybrid, I am not sure I am interested in doing a large grow out to select out. Tom