Merced OP

ContainerTed · September 12, 2016

This one was sent to me as Merced OP. Looking for comments or observations from others who have grown the Hybrid variety of Merced which is no longer available. The seed I received certainly gave me a great tasting tomato that looks very much like the original hybrid.

Here's the information that I've gathered on this OP version. "Red, round, Regular Leaf, semi-determinate, mid season."

My seed source was traced back to a family in the Willamette valley that had been growing and saving these seeds for some 50 years. I think this is the real deal and is a dehybridized version of popular old hybrid named Merced. It reminds me of Better Boy, but the flavor is a bit milder.

Let me know what you think.

Hellmanns · September 14, 2016

I grew Merced for several years back in the early 90's. I liked it a lot! The f1 Merced were large tomatoes, with many around a pound. The ONLY fault I had with it was its more orange than red color especially in the late season.

ContainerTed · September 16, 2016

Hellmans, you caused me to find out that I had posted the wrong picture here. When you stated that the fruits were larger. it twirped my brain and I realized that I had better check my data. I do that anytime something casts some doubt on what I'm displaying.

Short story is that I put the wrong picture in the initial post of this thread. That is actually Bison. Here is the tomato I grew and photographed and ate that is Merced OP.

Hellmans, Thank You a bunch. Now, does this look a little bit closer to what you remember???

Hellmanns · September 16, 2016

Yep, that's more like it, Ted!

I really liked Merced for the few years I grew it until seed became unavailable. After Merced, I found Fabulous f1 to replace it, and REALLY grew fond of it, until poof it was gone too. I am now on the f4 generation of the Fabulous grow outs, and really like what I'm seeing.

Starlight · September 18, 2016

Really.. really nice looking tomatoes ( the right pic). Also nice to see another hard to find, rare, heirloom back in circulation and not lost.

Psst.. I got the bacon ready. Looks like a good one for a BLT for breakfast. ; )

September 14, 2016	#2
Hellmanns Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: kentucky Posts: 1,116	I grew Merced for several years back in the early 90's. I liked it a lot! The f1 Merced were large tomatoes, with many around a pound. The ONLY fault I had with it was its more orange than red color especially in the late season.

September 16, 2016	#4
Hellmanns Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: kentucky Posts: 1,116	Yep, that's more like it, Ted! I really liked Merced for the few years I grew it until seed became unavailable. After Merced, I found Fabulous f1 to replace it, and REALLY grew fond of it, until poof it was gone too. I am now on the f4 generation of the Fabulous grow outs, and really like what I'm seeing.

September 18, 2016	#5
Starlight Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: AL Posts: 1,993	Really.. really nice looking tomatoes ( the right pic). Also nice to see another hard to find, rare, heirloom back in circulation and not lost. Psst.. I got the bacon ready. Looks like a good one for a BLT for breakfast. ; )