Whiskeyjack F2 - Canada 150

[Al@NC]

That's awesome bower! I've never grown a tomato so early that there's buds at 6 weeks before like Kimberley ..

What are your frost dates there?

Al

[KarenO]

Looking great Bower, here’s hoping for some awesome tasty earlies!
KarenO

[bower]

Al, our outdoor frost date is June 6 but we can't count on safe weather for tomatoes until the 18th or 20th. I'm pushing the limits even for the greenhouse, hoping for a couple of nice enough days in a row, but my nights are still dropping in the 30's F this week.

Yeah, the early flowering basically means you can start later, and you can have them under lights indoors for less time. It's not the same as cold tolerance, and all the traits needed for a rugged early plant - ability to set in cold weather; ability to produce fruit in cool temperatures without defects (catfacing, mealy texture, poor taste, etc). All those traits are still to be looked for.

Last year none of my first early fruit were as sweet as normal. The first Whiskeyjack was a good shape though and a great smooth texture.. I think I hate mealiness in early fruit the most.

So goes the quest for the 'perfect' tomato...

[Labradors2]

How fantastic that they are so early to flower .

My four are all RL and about 4" tall now, with one being a little shorter than the rest.

Linda

[Al@NC]

The greenhouse helps alot I'm sure.

I was just thinking that was a great cross to bring in Kimberley's early flowering. Now to get the flavor dialed in. I Wish you good luck this season with your crosses they look great!

Al

[Koala Doug]

They're looking quite healthy.

When you do you expect you'll transplant them again? A couple of weeks?

[bower]

Koala Doug, I want to transplant them as soon as possible. So it's mainly up to the weather. Looks like we may get a break in the cold nights starting Tuesday, so if there's sun in the forecast I'll put them in then if I can get it all prepped.

@Al, it's interesting that earliness continues to vary a bit on down through the generations... I always take note and try to select the earliest but more than once it's the slightly later plant that had other key characteristics... in the end, I will never select away from taste and fruit quality for the sake of a few days. There are so many early fruit already that don't impress me, I wouldn't want to make more.

[Labradors2]

Yeah Bower! In my view, taste is EVERYTHING

Linda

[Al@NC]

in the end, I will never select away from taste and fruit quality for the sake of a few days. There are so many early fruit already that don't impress me, I wouldn't want to make more.

Great point! Why be average?!

Al

[Banadoura]

Beautiful plants Bower!

This is how mine were supposed to look like had I not over fertilized them with love....

thank you for having sent extra seeds, started another batch today, I will not miss this variety this year!

[bower]

Better luck this time, Banadoura. They'll catch up quickly.

[bower]

Planted yesterday, and that first Whiskeyjack finally fully opened the flower - it's a whopper. I have a couple of other plants also flowering the 'megabloom' which I guess is the effect of the cold treatment this year - a bit earlier, and a bit colder! Hope the fruit are not too ugly...
Also today I had a visit from the bird himself! A bit spooked by the camera, couldn't get any closer.

[KarenO]

That sure is a big blossom alright!
Whiskey jacks are such cheeky buggers. I love them
KarenO

[Labradors2]

How adorable that you have pics of both . Fingers crossed that the tomato version is tasty .

Linda

[hl2601]

That flower is a whopper Bower! I am really enjoying watching your project.