Artisan Seeds launches - Page 9

Fred Hempel · February 8, 2013

Farmette,

I am curious about your experience with Maglia Rosa. We have found that, out here, the best flavor is correlated with light pink color, and that by the time the fruits are a deep pink they are over-ripe. When we used to grow more of the variety to sell at the market we had to really focus on picking the fruits "early" -- and we have always felt that many gardeners are probably letting the fruit get over-ripe before picking.

So, it was a surprise to us when Maglia Rosa was identified as a great tomato to grow by the Cooperative Extension at Penn State a couple of years ago.

http://extension.psu.edu/vegetable-f...to-report-2011

They called them "ketchupy" which seems a bit off. But I have also wondered if the summer climate back east causes ripening where best flavor is better correlated with deepest color.

What did the tomatoes look like when you preferred them?

Farmette · February 8, 2013

Fred: I had just 1 plant as I had so many varieties last year and yet wanted to make sure to try it. So, I grew it in a 7 gal grow bag, where it thrived. It was a prolific producer and I had fruit all summer long. The fruit did not split or crack and it seemed as if I had a good window of time for harvest. I preferred it in the middle of the window...too early, the flavor was good, middle, best and towards the end just ok. Still, with all of them, I love this tomato. I would describe the taste as fresh tasting, slightly sweet tomato taste, but definitely not ketchup like too me. When I think of ketchup I think of a red pulpy taste. Maglia Rosa for me was much more of a fresh, sprightly taste. We had a hot summer here and I had to make sure the grow bags were well watered. I loved to eat these as I was perusing my plants...I grab a couple and they would be breakfast, lunch or snack. Actually, they were great eating with a sandwich. The other thing is they are an absolutely beautiful tomato and of course they say we eat with our eyes too!
Chris

Fred Hempel · February 8, 2013

Thanks for the full description. It sounds like you also found the flavor slipping a bunch at "the end"

This is what caused me to get a bit down on this tomato for awhile. But, it does have some excellent characteristics, and it is great for container growing due to it's relatively compact size.

Farmette · February 8, 2013

Well when I talked about the window of opportunity and flavor, I was speaking of the time from when 1 tomato is ripe or near ripe to the time when it is at the end of its cycle...not the beginning, middle and end of the season. Is it not unusual to find a tomato whose flavor doesn't slip at the end? What I mean't is that Maglia Rosa stayed on the fine til it was picked without getting really soft, mushy skin while flavor was not as good as it was in the middle of its (tomato) life.

Fred Hempel · February 8, 2013

That's exactly what I assumed you meant. Thanks.

Farmette · February 8, 2013

Glad I could help!

Boutique Tomatoes · February 13, 2013

You take some nice pictures.

Fred Hempel · February 14, 2013

Hey Mark,

The individual bumble bee photos are mine but the group shot is Aaron Whaley's

(AP Whaley Seed).

Quote:

Originally Posted by marktutt

You take some nice pictures.

Doug9345 · February 14, 2013

I just shared you page on Facebook. I'll PM later.

Fred Hempel · February 27, 2013

Back to the future: Blush now available at Artisan Seeds.

http://store.growartisan.com/product...-cherry-tomato

sfoeyl · February 27, 2013

I concur, the photos are lovely. Sowed Blush and Maglia Rosa seeds a few weeks ago and looking forward to harvest.

Just shared on Facebook. Will PM later with mailing address.

sicily · February 28, 2013

Loved the pics! I'm also planting Blush and Maglia Rose. I also shared on Facebook yesterday, but I believe it said offer was closed. If the offer is still available, would love to take advantage of it, Thanks.

Fred Hempel · February 28, 2013

Yes. This was a limited-time offer on Facebook. We had to stop at 150 shares.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Hempel

Free Pink Bumble Bee and White Borage seeds. No SASE. You just have to share the facebook post below:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Artis...72647249459847

Redbaron · February 28, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Hempel

Yes. This was a limited-time offer on Facebook. We had to stop at 150 shares.

I shared and emailed right away, no seeds yet. But keep in mind my mail is somewhat sketchy at times.

Fred Hempel · February 28, 2013

All seeds were mailed Monday afternoon. If they don't arrive soon, PM me and we can re-send.

February 8, 2013	#121
Fred Hempel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunol, CA Posts: 2,723	Farmette, I am curious about your experience with Maglia Rosa. We have found that, out here, the best flavor is correlated with light pink color, and that by the time the fruits are a deep pink they are over-ripe. When we used to grow more of the variety to sell at the market we had to really focus on picking the fruits "early" -- and we have always felt that many gardeners are probably letting the fruit get over-ripe before picking. So, it was a surprise to us when Maglia Rosa was identified as a great tomato to grow by the Cooperative Extension at Penn State a couple of years ago. http://extension.psu.edu/vegetable-f...to-report-2011 They called them "ketchupy" which seems a bit off. But I have also wondered if the summer climate back east causes ripening where best flavor is better correlated with deepest color. What did the tomatoes look like when you preferred them?

February 8, 2013	#122
Farmette Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 985	Fred: I had just 1 plant as I had so many varieties last year and yet wanted to make sure to try it. So, I grew it in a 7 gal grow bag, where it thrived. It was a prolific producer and I had fruit all summer long. The fruit did not split or crack and it seemed as if I had a good window of time for harvest. I preferred it in the middle of the window...too early, the flavor was good, middle, best and towards the end just ok. Still, with all of them, I love this tomato. I would describe the taste as fresh tasting, slightly sweet tomato taste, but definitely not ketchup like too me. When I think of ketchup I think of a red pulpy taste. Maglia Rosa for me was much more of a fresh, sprightly taste. We had a hot summer here and I had to make sure the grow bags were well watered. I loved to eat these as I was perusing my plants...I grab a couple and they would be breakfast, lunch or snack. Actually, they were great eating with a sandwich. The other thing is they are an absolutely beautiful tomato and of course they say we eat with our eyes too! Chris

February 8, 2013	#123
Fred Hempel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunol, CA Posts: 2,723	Thanks for the full description. It sounds like you also found the flavor slipping a bunch at "the end" This is what caused me to get a bit down on this tomato for awhile. But, it does have some excellent characteristics, and it is great for container growing due to it's relatively compact size.

February 8, 2013	#124
Farmette Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 985	Well when I talked about the window of opportunity and flavor, I was speaking of the time from when 1 tomato is ripe or near ripe to the time when it is at the end of its cycle...not the beginning, middle and end of the season. Is it not unusual to find a tomato whose flavor doesn't slip at the end? What I mean't is that Maglia Rosa stayed on the fine til it was picked without getting really soft, mushy skin while flavor was not as good as it was in the middle of its (tomato) life.

February 8, 2013	#125
Fred Hempel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunol, CA Posts: 2,723	That's exactly what I assumed you meant. Thanks.

February 8, 2013	#126
Farmette Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 985	Glad I could help!

February 13, 2013	#127
Boutique Tomatoes Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Northeast Wisconsin, Zone 5a Posts: 1,109	You take some nice pictures.

February 14, 2013	#129
Doug9345 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Durhamville,NY Posts: 2,706	I just shared you page on Facebook. I'll PM later.

February 27, 2013	#130
Fred Hempel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunol, CA Posts: 2,723	Back to the future: Blush now available at Artisan Seeds. http://store.growartisan.com/product...-cherry-tomato

February 27, 2013	#131
sfoeyl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: bay area Posts: 102	I concur, the photos are lovely. Sowed Blush and Maglia Rosa seeds a few weeks ago and looking forward to harvest. Just shared on Facebook. Will PM later with mailing address.

February 28, 2013	#132
sicily Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 192	Loved the pics! I'm also planting Blush and Maglia Rose. I also shared on Facebook yesterday, but I believe it said offer was closed. If the offer is still available, would love to take advantage of it, Thanks.

February 28, 2013	#135
Fred Hempel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunol, CA Posts: 2,723	All seeds were mailed Monday afternoon. If they don't arrive soon, PM me and we can re-send.