Variety Opinions wanted

creister · November 10, 2009

I am growing two new to me varieties next spring. The varieties are VB-Russia and Hanky Red. They both recieved good reviews from fellow Texas grower Suze, thus my deisire to try them. I just wondered if anybody else had any opinions about them. Seed source is Sandhill.

Linda10 · November 10, 2009

I grew VB-Russia last year. It had an amazing amount of medium sized pink plums with a sharp tip on a tall vigorous plant...very pretty to look at. The flavor was only average to me, but it was up against a lot of stiff competition last year.

**carolyn137** · November 10, 2009

VB-Russia is a variety I got from Reinhard Kraft in Germany several years ago. I stopped listing it in the SSE YEarbook simply b'c I don't offer any seeds over 5 yo and as of late, as most of you know, I don't have the ability to renew tomato seed stock. So that's why I have loads of Aunt Gertie's Gold and other seeds somewhere in the backroom; no way to grow new stock b/c now that I can grow so few plants I concentrate on growing varieties new to all or most.

So I scooped up the 2006 Yearbook from my left, b'c it was closest, to see what I wrote. Yes, very high yield of small fruits, plum shaped and pink, RL, indet, I didn't note any knob at the blossom end and taste I noted as being excellent. Maybe it was the year, maybe my tastebuds were revved up when tasting it, who knows.

I still have a lot of seed for it and may I'll list it in my seed offer here and ask folks who might request it to double sow.

And yes, I'm the source to Sandhill.

creister · November 10, 2009

Well, I'll be giving it a try and hope for the best. It sounded like an interesting variety to try, and with another Texan giving it a good review as far as productivity, etc. I couldn't resist. So, with others also giving good reviews from other parts of the country, I hope this tomato does well for me here, as I have been trying to find some medium pinks to grow besides Eva Purple Ball and Pale Purple Perfect.

b54red · November 10, 2009

I'm going to try Eva Purple Ball this year due to recommendations of other southern gardeners. This is the first year I have heard of Pale Purple Perfect. Is it productive in the heat? Does it withstand disease well? And last but not least, how is the taste?

creister · November 10, 2009

Red, the answers to your questions are yes, yes, and just great.

b54red · November 10, 2009

Well, I guess I've now got another to add to my list to try next year. With past years as a guide I'm sure most of the new varieties I try will be dead by mid June to be replaced by the old reliables; but hope springs eternal.

OneoftheEarls · November 11, 2009

b54red

Eva's was nothing spectacular. In the north anyway....small. not that great tasting but seemed to have vigor and I believe it came up this year as a volunteer.

If I were to grow that size in the north I'd do Canabecs, NBD, Juane Flamme, Siberian-type....but then I am not battling heat or drought usually. I'd even place Polish Dwarf ahead of them....but this is JUST my experience.

Maybe they do better in the south.

Earl

November 10, 2009	#1
creister Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abilene, TX zone 7 Posts: 1,478	Variety Opinions wanted I am growing two new to me varieties next spring. The varieties are VB-Russia and Hanky Red. They both recieved good reviews from fellow Texas grower Suze, thus my deisire to try them. I just wondered if anybody else had any opinions about them. Seed source is Sandhill.

November 10, 2009	#2
Linda10 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brush Prairie, WA Posts: 925	I grew VB-Russia last year. It had an amazing amount of medium sized pink plums with a sharp tip on a tall vigorous plant...very pretty to look at. The flavor was only average to me, but it was up against a lot of stiff competition last year. __________________ Linda10

November 10, 2009	#3
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	VB-Russia is a variety I got from Reinhard Kraft in Germany several years ago. I stopped listing it in the SSE YEarbook simply b'c I don't offer any seeds over 5 yo and as of late, as most of you know, I don't have the ability to renew tomato seed stock. So that's why I have loads of Aunt Gertie's Gold and other seeds somewhere in the backroom; no way to grow new stock b/c now that I can grow so few plants I concentrate on growing varieties new to all or most. So I scooped up the 2006 Yearbook from my left, b'c it was closest, to see what I wrote. Yes, very high yield of small fruits, plum shaped and pink, RL, indet, I didn't note any knob at the blossom end and taste I noted as being excellent. Maybe it was the year, maybe my tastebuds were revved up when tasting it, who knows. I still have a lot of seed for it and may I'll list it in my seed offer here and ask folks who might request it to double sow. And yes, I'm the source to Sandhill. __________________ Carolyn

November 10, 2009	#5
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	I'm going to try Eva Purple Ball this year due to recommendations of other southern gardeners. This is the first year I have heard of Pale Purple Perfect. Is it productive in the heat? Does it withstand disease well? And last but not least, how is the taste?

November 11, 2009	#8
OneoftheEarls Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 660	b54red Eva's was nothing spectacular. In the north anyway....small. not that great tasting but seemed to have vigor and I believe it came up this year as a volunteer. If I were to grow that size in the north I'd do Canabecs, NBD, Juane Flamme, Siberian-type....but then I am not battling heat or drought usually. I'd even place Polish Dwarf ahead of them....but this is JUST my experience. Maybe they do better in the south. Earl