Artisan Seeds launches

[Fred Hempel]

On their website it indicates the mix includes Pink Tiger, Blush and Green Tiger.

Originally Posted by heirloomtomaguy

I found an Artisan Blend but nowhere does it state which tigers it contains. 15 seeds for 3.49 seems pretty high. I thought it was a mislabeling but it appears to be a triple play pack.

[RJGlew]

Originally Posted by Fred Hempel

I have decided to ship to Canada, but one thing that I worry about is having a bunch of Canadian orders for single seed packets where the price really doesn't cover all of the costs (including increased postage and the time to fill out forms at the Post Office).

So, I have added a flat $2 charge for shipping to Canada.

I changed the website (at least I think I did). Please let me know if you have any trouble ordering now.

Cheers,
Fred

Thank you, the charge is fair, & I'll look later today. I am patiently awaiting your hybrid availability - any chance for the 2017 seaason?

[heirloomtomaguy]

Originally Posted by Fred Hempel

On their website it indicates the mix includes Pink Tiger, Blush and Green Tiger.

Gotcha

[Fred Hempel]

Here is the situation with our hybrids --

1. Johnny's Selected Seeds has distribution rights to anything that is deemed to be a potential product that we both can be proud of, and we both can make $$ on.

2. When we release a variety with Johnny's, there is a year lag between when a hybrid is selected for release, and when it is released. This is because hybrid seed needs to be produced, and this takes approximately one year.

3. We may first release a small number of hybrids directly on our website, only with Johnny's permission, and only when we think they have potential (even if they are a bit off-beat). We have not decided if we will release any hybrids directly in 2017 because our field trials have not been fully evaluated.

4. Anyone interested in trialing some of our test hybrids in 2017 may do so by joining our Collaborating Members program.

A note about Johnny's support of us -- Johnny's helped us finish up and release the 7 varieties of true-breeding Artisan Cherry Tomatoes that are available. Because the lines are true-breeding, and they were not PVP protected, Johnny's essentially subsidized our work, but then lost most every advantage after the first year of release. Indeed, in the second year, many other seed companies released the varieties and basically siphoned off a large portion of the seed sales of the Artisan Cherry tomatoes. With it, we actually saw a decrease in our royalties the second year of release and the royalties we have seen have come no where close to covering the costs of our breeding work (past and present).

I am relating this, not because Johnny's Selected Seeds or Artisan Seeds need any sympathy, or because we wouldn't do it all over again. This is because, in the future, we also plan to release hybrid varieties that will combine other traits (long shelf life, disease resistance and better architecture) with the flavors and colors we have developed. The hybrids should allow us to make a profit, if and only if they are truly valuable to growers. We think they will be.

At the same time we will continue to produce some new exciting OP varieties, that will very likely make us nothing, even if they become very popular. The reason is, when a variety becomes popular, there are always a number of businesses that want to sell them too, and in the case of an extremely popular variety, one can also expect to be undercut by larger seed businesses.

Originally Posted by RJGlew

Thank you, the charge is fair, & I'll look later today. I am patiently awaiting your hybrid availability - any chance for the 2017 seaason?

[RJGlew]

Originally Posted by Fred Hempel

Here is the situation with our hybrids --
I am relating this, not because Johnny's Selected Seeds or Artisan Seeds need any sympathy, or because we wouldn't do it all over again. This is because, in the future, we also plan to release hybrid varieties that will combine other traits (long shelf life, disease resistance and better architecture) with the flavors and colors we have developed. The hybrids should allow us to make a profit, if and only if they are truly valuable to growers. We think they will be.

Thank you for providing the update, and I look forward to supporting your hybrid efforts.

[Fred Hempel]

Our BEST workshop of the year is scheduled for August 20th.

Why is it the best? It is the best because it will include a very extensive tasting of the best ripe tomatoes in our fields!

[Randall]

Well, after all of the reading, I ordered some Orange Jazz seeds!

[Fred Hempel]

A Bay Area tomato event

Brad Gates will be there.

Food and mixed tomato drinks served.

[sfoeyl]

Yeah! Saw that on my FB post. Looking forward to seeing you and Brad.

[Fred Hempel]

I just noticed a mistake in this post. The workshop is August 21st (not the 20th).

And there are lots of tomatoes to taste!

Originally Posted by Fred Hempel

Our BEST workshop of the year is scheduled for August 20th.

Why is it the best? It is the best because it will include a very extensive tasting of the best ripe tomatoes in our fields!

[SharonRossy]

Fred, I became a collaborating member last year, from Canada. Do I rejoin or how does it work to receive new releases or I'd be happy to trial one of your potential varieties. I've decided to grow Orange Jazz for next year, and Yellow Tiger which I had previously grown. Keep them coming!

[Fred Hempel]

No, you just get stuff every year, for 10 years. I will contact you this winter to tell you what we have, and you make your 2017 selections then. A great deal!

Originally Posted by SharonRossy

Fred, I became a collaborating member last year, from Canada. Do I rejoin or how does it work to receive new releases or I'd be happy to trial one of your potential varieties. I've decided to grow Orange Jazz for next year, and Yellow Tiger which I had previously grown. Keep them coming!

[Salsacharley]

Hey! What's this Yellow Tiger? I want it!

[Fred Hempel]

I don't know. Blush?

Originally Posted by Salsacharley

Hey! What's this Yellow Tiger? I want it!

[Fred Hempel]

Lucinda