Mortgage Lifter - Page 2

August 15, 2016

Radiator Charlies Mortgage Lifter was one of the first open pollinated varieties I grew. In those days, the story told why he had his radiator shop at the bottom of a steep hill. I wonder if it still does.

After a few years of growing ML, my mind strayed to other varieties so ML got relegated to the "done that" list and some newer varieties were grown in it's place. I grow it every few years just to keep fresh seed. It's a great, fluted tomato so I guess I need to produce some new seed next year.

Ted

Hntrss · August 15, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gardeneer

Yeah . It is true that there are more than one "Mortgage Lifter " tomato variety but only one of them is common and popular. Sometimes it is called "Radiator Charlie ML".
If it just says "ML" then it is safe to assume that it is RC ML.
The fruits of RC ML is not round, global and smooth, as far as I know. Usually it has some ribbing at the stem end.

The pinks have some ribbing on the stem end- here is the same tomato. The Reds were smallish and round. This one is next to a Delicious that got damaged by the extreme sun and heat:

korney19 · August 20, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hntrss

The pinks have some ribbing on the stem end- here is the same tomato. The Reds were smallish and round. This one is next to a Delicious that got damaged by the extreme sun and heat:

If it's Burpee's, my bet is it's a pink. The red is called Mortgage Lifter Red VFN. If the pack says just Mortgage Lifter, or Mortgage Lifter Radiator Charlie's, it should be pink. If you are getting both pink and red, it's crossed seed or mixed seed.

Hntrss · August 20, 2016

I think the pinks are true and the red is mixed seed. I disposed of the seed I saved from the red plant. I will have ripe fruit in a week or two to show you the difference between the plants.

slugworth · August 20, 2016

mine are bought plants and are pink.

korney19 · September 27, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hntrss

I think the pinks are true and the red is mixed seed. I disposed of the seed I saved from the red plant. I will have ripe fruit in a week or two to show you the difference between the plants.

Did you take any pics?

Hntrss · September 27, 2016

Yes- I got lazy. How's this for a mortgage lifter??

korney19 · September 27, 2016

Can't tell anything from that angle... that looks like a red globe or heart...

imp · September 27, 2016

I am sure some one has done this already, but saw no mention of it - anyone checked the skin colors on the tomatoes in question?

Hntrss · September 27, 2016

2 plants had classic pink, mortgage lifters. The others had red globes, and some shaped as above. All seeds from the same package. From Burpee. That's the only picture I have. It's kind of irrelevant to me, since Mortage Lifter didn't impress me in any way and it's not on my list for next year. I saved seeds from a pink plant, disposed of the Burpee pack. Just an odd experience from a commercial seed source I guess. Thanks to so many gererous T'villiians, I have many, new to me heirlooms to try next year!

September 27, 2016

It actually looks like some of my Prue tomatoes this year. Some were round. Some were heart shaped. Some were bright red with the little nipple on the blossom end.

Imp,

As long as I've been growing tomatoes, I've never had the desire or interest to check the skin color of a tomato. I know how, but I've not done it. I know varieties should have a specific skin color, but does it add anything else to the knowledge about or health of a tomato? Just curious!

Ted

imp · September 28, 2016

I think it just let's you know if a tomato is really a pink or red tomato, which may or may not be important.

August 15, 2016	#16
tedln Guest Posts: n/a	Radiator Charlies Mortgage Lifter was one of the first open pollinated varieties I grew. In those days, the story told why he had his radiator shop at the bottom of a steep hill. I wonder if it still does. After a few years of growing ML, my mind strayed to other varieties so ML got relegated to the "done that" list and some newer varieties were grown in it's place. I grow it every few years just to keep fresh seed. It's a great, fluted tomato so I guess I need to produce some new seed next year. Ted

August 20, 2016	#19
Hntrss Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: New York Posts: 92	I think the pinks are true and the red is mixed seed. I disposed of the seed I saved from the red plant. I will have ripe fruit in a week or two to show you the difference between the plants.

August 20, 2016	#20
slugworth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: connecticut,usa Posts: 1,152	mine are bought plants and are pink.

September 27, 2016	#23
korney19 Buffalo-Niagara Tomato TasteFest™ Co-Founder Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The Niagara Frontier Posts: 942	Can't tell anything from that angle... that looks like a red globe or heart...

September 27, 2016	#24
imp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 4,832	I am sure some one has done this already, but saw no mention of it - anyone checked the skin colors on the tomatoes in question?

September 28, 2016	#27
imp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 4,832	I think it just let's you know if a tomato is really a pink or red tomato, which may or may not be important.