A couple of questions about some new-to-me varieties

Wi-sunflower · August 11, 2009

I'm growing over 100 varieties that are new to me this year. As I'm not totally familiar with many of them, I have some questions about what some of them should look like (as in do I have what is named) and when I should be picking them. So far our season is rather late so I haven't found all my varieties yet. I'll ask more questions as I find things.

#1 - Orange Russian 117.

I'm not sure but I believe these are from purchased seeds rather than a trade. So far they are heart shaped, tho not nearly as big as I expected. I'll put that to the lack of rain. BUT they are a rather yellow and so far I haven't seen ANY hint of the red splotches. Is this typical of the first sets ?? Will I get the red later or do I have something wrong ??

#2 - Berkeley Tie Dye

Purchased from Wild Boar Farms. While weeding yesterday I noticed many nice green fruit. The problem is that many of the plants don't seem to be developing the stripping. Some have it but not many so far. Is this typical ??

More questions later.

Thanks,
Carol

**carolyn137** · August 11, 2009

Carol, I've grown OR117 but not the Berkely one.

The appearance of fruits from OR is quite variable and while some sites show splotches of red what I got were gold/red bicolor medium sixed hearts, a few doubles as with the R117 parent, but most singles.

No splotches ever, just some seconday coloring that could look somewhat stripey but also with a blush at the blossom end.

It's a selection of a cross made by Jeff Dawson in CA between Russian 117 and the typical gold/red bicolor Georgia Streak.

To tell the truth I was not at all impressed with the taste of OR117, nor the yield and that's growing it just once.

Wi-sunflower · August 11, 2009

I'm glad to know that the coloring isn't as nice as the pics show.

As it turns out tho, the yellow tomatoes I saw yesterday were actually Anna Banana Russian. I guess I was looking at too many varieties and got the 2 mixed up. I re-checked after your post and it turns out none of the OR 117 are turning yet. OOOPPS.

Carol

neoguy · August 12, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wi-sunflower

#1 - Orange Russian 117.

I'm not sure but I believe these are from purchased seeds rather than a trade. So far they are heart shaped, tho not nearly as big as I expected. I'll put that to the lack of rain. BUT they are a rather yellow and so far I haven't seen ANY hint of the red splotches. Is this typical of the first sets ?? Will I get the red later or do I have something wrong ??

Carol

I know that Orange Russian 117 is not one you're questioning now, but I thought I'd add that this was the first large fruit tasted this year, and WOW. It weighed in at 1 pound 4 ounces. If the rest of the crop lives up to the taste it'll be a repeat forever. I don't expect the large size in future fruit, but who cares if they taste this good.

Sorry the pic may not be great.

Wi-sunflower · August 12, 2009

Thanks for the pic. I can see some red there, just not as distinct as in the catalogs.

I do have some greenies that look like they will be like that for size or at least close. I'm hoping that the heat we've finally gotten will bring some of the varieties on.

Considering the lack of rain we've had, I'm surprised at the size of some of the greeies I've been seeing lately. Some varieties are HUGE.

Carol

frogsleap farm · August 12, 2009

Carol - I have three BTD plants, all from seed purchased from Wild Boar. All three plants show a very marked striping, even very early on in fruit development. Huge fruit, but nothing turning color yet in Minneapolis.

frogz

recruiterg · August 13, 2009

I have a BTDP growing in my garden and all have distinct striping too. They are now starting to blush. I had one early one about 2 weeks ago.

cjeanhall · August 28, 2009

Grew BTD first time this year. The striping didnt show until it was almost ripe. It was the best tasting tomato this season for me.

August 11, 2009	#1
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	A couple of questions about some new-to-me varieties I'm growing over 100 varieties that are new to me this year. As I'm not totally familiar with many of them, I have some questions about what some of them should look like (as in do I have what is named) and when I should be picking them. So far our season is rather late so I haven't found all my varieties yet. I'll ask more questions as I find things. #1 - Orange Russian 117. I'm not sure but I believe these are from purchased seeds rather than a trade. So far they are heart shaped, tho not nearly as big as I expected. I'll put that to the lack of rain. BUT they are a rather yellow and so far I haven't seen ANY hint of the red splotches. Is this typical of the first sets ?? Will I get the red later or do I have something wrong ?? #2 - Berkeley Tie Dye Purchased from Wild Boar Farms. While weeding yesterday I noticed many nice green fruit. The problem is that many of the plants don't seem to be developing the stripping. Some have it but not many so far. Is this typical ?? More questions later. Thanks, Carol

August 11, 2009	#2
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	Carol, I've grown OR117 but not the Berkely one. The appearance of fruits from OR is quite variable and while some sites show splotches of red what I got were gold/red bicolor medium sixed hearts, a few doubles as with the R117 parent, but most singles. No splotches ever, just some seconday coloring that could look somewhat stripey but also with a blush at the blossom end. It's a selection of a cross made by Jeff Dawson in CA between Russian 117 and the typical gold/red bicolor Georgia Streak. To tell the truth I was not at all impressed with the taste of OR117, nor the yield and that's growing it just once. __________________ Carolyn

August 12, 2009	#5
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	Thanks for the pic. I can see some red there, just not as distinct as in the catalogs. I do have some greenies that look like they will be like that for size or at least close. I'm hoping that the heat we've finally gotten will bring some of the varieties on. Considering the lack of rain we've had, I'm surprised at the size of some of the greeies I've been seeing lately. Some varieties are HUGE. Carol

August 12, 2009	#6
frogsleap farm Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 568	Carol - I have three BTD plants, all from seed purchased from Wild Boar. All three plants show a very marked striping, even very early on in fruit development. Huge fruit, but nothing turning color yet in Minneapolis. frogz

August 13, 2009	#7
recruiterg Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edina, MN (Zone 4) Posts: 945	I have a BTDP growing in my garden and all have distinct striping too. They are now starting to blush. I had one early one about 2 weeks ago.

August 28, 2009	#8
cjeanhall Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego, CA. Posts: 4	Grew BTD first time this year. The striping didnt show until it was almost ripe. It was the best tasting tomato this season for me.