The real Stump of the world

[Vinny]

So I was reading Amy Goldman's book "The Heirloom Tomato" and came across the entry for Big Ben (originally called Stump of the world). Under the synonyms section she says Ben Quisenberry offered Big Ben in a "Three Large Pinks" mixture with Brandywine and Mortgage Lifter. When someone asked him how to tell which was which, Ben told him that Brandywine was the only potato leaf type of the 3. So Amy's deduction is that the real Big Ben is a regular leaf type. It seems however that most people that retail the seed are selling the potato leaf type. Where would I get Ben's original regular leaf type?
I'm growing the seed from the Tomatofest website that's a potato leaf version, would there be a great deal of difference between this and Ben's version of the plant?

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by Vinny

So I was reading Amy Goldman's book "The Heirloom Tomato" and came across the entry for Big Ben (originally called Stump of the world). Under the synonyms section she says Ben Quisenberry offered Big Ben in a "Three Large Pinks" mixture with Brandywine and Mortgage Lifter. When someone asked him how to tell which was which, Ben told him that Brandywine was the only potato leaf type of the 3. So Amy's deduction is that the real Big Ben is a regular leaf type. It seems however that most people that retail the seed are selling the potato leaf type. Where would I get Ben's original regular leaf type?
I'm growing the seed from the Tomatofest website that's a potato leaf version, would there be a great deal of difference between this and Ben's version of the plant?

Vinny, here's a thread from the Legacy Forum here at Tville where Ben Quiseberry's grandson showed up, much to our surprise and helped to clarify the situation/

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=7544

And in that thread don't forget to read the link to the LI Seed Project of Ken Ettlinger who was sent the mixed pack of seeds from Ben that was mentioned above.

Hope this helps.

[ArcherB]

I know I have the right Stump of the World. There is no doubt about it. The plant I have this year has been abused and killed several times, but it keeps coming back.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by carolyn137

Vinny, here's a thread from the Legacy Forum here at Tville where Ben Quiseberry's grandson showed up, much to our surprise and helped to clarify the situation/

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=7544

And in that thread don't forget to read the link to the LI Seed Project of Ken Ettlinger who was sent the mixed pack of seeds from Ben that was mentioned above.

Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for the links carolyn I was sure there was a thread around somewhere with more info but I was having a hard time finding it. Things still seem a little confusing as to why Stump now appears with PL instead of RL but people can still get either one from a planting of the same seed package. Id love to find a source of Big Ben's that was more likely to be the RL variety. Thanks again for the links.

[nj07077]

I usually grow pink brandywine every year I love the flavor its one of my favs. Mr Quisenberry is a hero in my eyes!

[Garf]

Originally Posted by ArcherB

I know I have the right Stump of the World. There is no doubt about it. The plant I have this year has been abused and killed several times, but it keeps coming back.

Sounds like exactly what I need.