Who is John D. Green?

J Peazy · June 29, 2011

I am reading that he is from my home state (TN) and is responsible for Cherokee Purple and has some connection to Dr. Wyche's.

Who was/is he?

Would anyone be willing to provide a newbie with a history lesson?

Thanks,

**carolyn137** · June 29, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Peazy

I am reading that he is from my home state (TN) and is responsible for Cherokee Purple and has some connection to Dr. Wyche's.

Who was/is he?

Would anyone be willing to provide a newbie with a history lesson?

Thanks,

I'm sure Craig ( nctomatoman) can tell you more about John, but it's John who gave to Craig the seeds for what Craig named Cherokee Purple.

I know of no direct connection between John and Dr. Wyche who lived in the midwest, was of Cherokee descent and donated several varieties to SSE that were of Cherokee heritage. He was the part time owner of a zoo as well, and is noted for using zoo doo on what he grew, tomatoes included.

Many of the varieties he gave to SSE are still available from time to time, and some are quite well known, such as Dr. Wyche's Yellow which is an excellent tomato variety.

I just looked in an early SSE YEarbook and did see that Craig got the variety Dr. Wyche's Yellow from John Green in 1992 and I got it from Craig in 1993, but I don't know where John Green got it from.

I do know that Dr. Wyche himself did donate several varieties directly to SSE, so I'll let Craig fill in the blanks.

**nctomatoman** · June 29, 2011

So, John D Green - who signed his letters to be J D - is an avid gardener who I believe was a non-listing member of SSE....or, he traded seeds through the Gardens For All forum back then before it became National Gardening (I forget specifically that detail). I've talked to JD several times - just a great fellow. He is the one who got Cherokee Purple from his neighbor - and that neighbor's family received it from the Cherokee Indians "100 years ago", according to JD in his letter to me that accompanied the seeds back in 1990. It had no name, and no name when it came to me - I named it and sent it to Jeff McCormack at SESE, and I listed it in the SSE as well. It seems to have taken off from there!

JD I believe traded seeds with Dr. Wyche - and that is how he got Dr. Wyche's Yellow - and he sent it to me in a follow on trade after the Cherokee Purple exchange.

This reminds me that I need to have a chat with JD just to catch up - it's been a few years!

June 29, 2011	#1
J Peazy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 85	Who is John D. Green? I am reading that he is from my home state (TN) and is responsible for Cherokee Purple and has some connection to Dr. Wyche's. Who was/is he? Would anyone be willing to provide a newbie with a history lesson? Thanks,

June 29, 2011	#3
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	So, John D Green - who signed his letters to be J D - is an avid gardener who I believe was a non-listing member of SSE....or, he traded seeds through the Gardens For All forum back then before it became National Gardening (I forget specifically that detail). I've talked to JD several times - just a great fellow. He is the one who got Cherokee Purple from his neighbor - and that neighbor's family received it from the Cherokee Indians "100 years ago", according to JD in his letter to me that accompanied the seeds back in 1990. It had no name, and no name when it came to me - I named it and sent it to Jeff McCormack at SESE, and I listed it in the SSE as well. It seems to have taken off from there! JD I believe traded seeds with Dr. Wyche - and that is how he got Dr. Wyche's Yellow - and he sent it to me in a follow on trade after the Cherokee Purple exchange. This reminds me that I need to have a chat with JD just to catch up - it's been a few years! __________________ Craig