Purple Haze

[rnewste]

Wow Randy!!

You up in Canada are at least a week earlier with your Purple Haze than I am in California.

My Purple Haze are about 20" high as of today, and their flower buds are just now appearing, so it looks like you will be able to give the early report this year!



Ray

[Fusion_power]

I am growing both Purple Haze F1 and F2 this year. I won't have many for next year, am down to about 150 or 200 F1 seed left.

Laurel is basically out of seed from what I understand. I am trying hard to convince the originator to re-do the cross because this is such a good tomato.

DarJones

[rnewste]

Darrel,

When you grew out both F1 and F2 plants last year, did you notice much difference in the tomatoes, from both a size and taste perspective? Of my 4 plants, 2 are RL and 2 are PL, so I am very curious how similar (or different) they will turn out to be.

Ray

[ddsack]

You guys are so far ahead of me!

I planted 4 seeds of Purple Haze (F2?) on March 26th, and of the 3 seedlings, 1 PL, 1 RL and one unknown, a late germinator with a helmet head, so kind of crunched up and no true leaves yet, may end up a dud. The RL was the first one up and was big enough to be potted up into it's own cup today as it was overshadowing the others.

I'm really curious to know how the flavors compare.

[rnewste]

dee,

I started my seedlings December 26, and planted them in their EarthTainers on March 22. You can see in the above picture how lush and vigorous it is. In fact, it is the tallest and most robust of all my 48 plants as of today. We all should get very good data to compare as so many are growing it out this year! The RL and PL splits that we all are seeing is intriguing.

Ray

[Tania]

Ray, your plants are so gorgeous!

Randy, I can't believe you are so ahead of me! We had an unexpected snowfall here yesterday, and still have snow on the ground today. This spring is too cold...

My Purple Haze F2 plants are doing well though - not as large as yours folks, but looking healthy. 3 PL and 4 RL.

[missionrandy]

I will post some new pics of Purple Haze when flowers open!

Randy

[missionrandy]

Hi Everyone,

Here is a pic of Purple Haze PL version with flower sets...
Not the greatest image, but you get the main point.
Will post more as the season continues!


ps... Thank-you Ray for the seeds.


Cheers,
Randy

[Fusion_power]

The basic cross for purple haze was a Brandywine X Cherokee Purple segregate that was selected in the F3 for extraordinary flavor. It is potato leaf. This was crossed with Black Cherry to make Purple Haze.

The F2 seedlings should segregate out at:
1 regular leaf
2 regular leaf with recessive potato leaf trait
1 potato leaf

The fruit should segregate
1 large fruit
2 cherry size with recessive for large fruit
1 cherry

Flavor segregation will be much more complex.

If you want a large fruited potato leaf tomato with good flavor, you would have to grow out at least 64 seedlings and plant out only the 16 potato leaf seedlings while discarding the 48 regular leaf. Select from the 16 seedlings for the best flavored 4 to save seed. Then carry those 4 out to at least 5 generations to stabilize the traits. At some point, select the best of the 4 lines for the one to be maintained as a selection.

DarJones

[rnewste]

Darrel,

Thanks very much for explaining the effort involved. I sent MissionRandy Momotaro seeds as he intended to stabilize it, and perhaps, he would have the space and patience to see the Purple Haze through 6 or 7 generations as well. I would also like to figure out a way to benefit Keith Mueller's Autism Foundation work, as he is the genesis of this wonderful variety.

As you said, Laurel is out of seeds and you have one season's worth left. I personally would be happy to send Keith $100 for 100 F1 seeds (with $75.00 of that going to his Autism Foundation) if he would only agree to provide us the real deal. I am sure many other folks would do the same.

Ray

[Suze]

Noticed fruit set on my F2 about a week ago, haven't had time to take a look at it since. Plant is RL, and is putting out what looks to be cherry or lg cherry type trusses.

Only had room for one F2, I know, I know, should have tried to grow at least two or more. I did give a seedling to Worth (also RL), will be interesting to hear what he is getting when he gets back in town and has a chance to look.

[missionrandy]

Hi Ray,

Momotaro are all doing very well! Incredibly sturdy and vigorous. Plants all smell very strong, which is strange.
Very little variation so far in traits...

Thanks,
Randy

[gssgarden]

Looks great Ray. PH is the one I'm looking foward to the most. Keep us updated.

Greg

[cypert2]

OK Who has some ripe PH. I have 3 plants, all RL and all loaded with fruit but probably 7 to 10 days from any ripe ones. Just curious if any of you PH growers have any ripe ones yet and how they taste. This is my first year to grow them.

[rnewste]

cypert,

I have 2 Purple Haze RL and 2 PL about 6 ft. tall. More than 50 fruit on each one, but it will be a good month before they are ripe.



There is another good long thread on Purple Haze here. Suggest you do a search.

Ray