How does Orange Russian 117 taste?

angelique · June 14, 2006

Hi All,

How does Orange Russian 117 taste? I saw a few pictures of it online and I think that it is a beautiful tomato. I am already thinking about adding it to my 2007 lineup. I just don't want to be suckered with a pretty but horrible tasting tomato (i.e. my experience with Copia).

Thanks for your feedback.

Cheers,

Angelique

**nctomatoman** · June 14, 2006

Opinions/tastes can vary - and different varieties can perform differently in different seasons and in different gardens! To further complicate matters, Copia (and perhaps Orange Russian 117) are recently "created" varieties out of crosses, so are not necessarily uniform or stable.

With all of that as context for my comments - and I did not like Copia at all (right down there with Vintage Wine as nearly inedible), my one experience with Orange Russian 117 was only marginally better. Pretty to look at...but not nearly the first (or 100th choice) to consume!

Others have had much more luck with it, so could be my soil/season/strain/personal taste!

Little_Rhody · June 14, 2006

Angelique,

The first year I grew it (2003), I thought it was fantastic. Probably my favorite that year. I grew it in 2004 from my own saved seeds and it was a flop. Then I ordered seed from TGS for 2005 and all the seedlings appeared to be diseased. So this year I requested seed from the person who introduced it to SSE and I'm hoping for that awesome tomato I had 3 years ago. I quess you could say that's variable!

feldon30 · June 14, 2006

I got the impression that Orange Russian #117 was a recent intentional cross of Russian #117 and Georgia Streak by Jeff Dawson. I've heard that it's one of the few bicolors that hasn't been added to the "typical bland bicolor" list.

I have seeds and will try it out next spring.

**nctomatoman** · June 14, 2006

The one time I grew it, Or Rus 117 would certainly be a member of the bland bicolor club! In fact, only Lucky Cross and Little Lucky, to my palate, escape the bland bicolor list...and I've tried plenty of them. It could be that my (and my wife's) taste buds just don't get tantalized by what the vast majority of the bicolors have to offer. I also think that the Brandywine heritage of LL and LX contribute significantly to improved flavor.

feldon30 · June 14, 2006

Lord, I need a bigger tomato garden just to try all these varieties. I was reasonably happy with Old German, btw, which usually gets panned. But maybe it's because it was the first (and probably only for this spring's season) heirloom I got to taste from my garden.

angelique · June 14, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by nctomatoman

In fact, only Lucky Cross and Little Lucky, to my palate, escape the bland bicolor list....

A little off topic, but will any other seed companies aside from Victory Seeds be carrying Little Lucky seeds in 2007?

Angelique

June 14, 2006	#2
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Opinions/tastes can vary - and different varieties can perform differently in different seasons and in different gardens! To further complicate matters, Copia (and perhaps Orange Russian 117) are recently "created" varieties out of crosses, so are not necessarily uniform or stable. With all of that as context for my comments - and I did not like Copia at all (right down there with Vintage Wine as nearly inedible), my one experience with Orange Russian 117 was only marginally better. Pretty to look at...but not nearly the first (or 100th choice) to consume! Others have had much more luck with it, so could be my soil/season/strain/personal taste! __________________ Craig

June 14, 2006	#3
Little_Rhody Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: RI Posts: 106	Angelique, The first year I grew it (2003), I thought it was fantastic. Probably my favorite that year. I grew it in 2004 from my own saved seeds and it was a flop. Then I ordered seed from TGS for 2005 and all the seedlings appeared to be diseased. So this year I requested seed from the person who introduced it to SSE and I'm hoping for that awesome tomato I had 3 years ago. I quess you could say that's variable! __________________ carolyn

June 14, 2006	#5
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	The one time I grew it, Or Rus 117 would certainly be a member of the bland bicolor club! In fact, only Lucky Cross and Little Lucky, to my palate, escape the bland bicolor list...and I've tried plenty of them. It could be that my (and my wife's) taste buds just don't get tantalized by what the vast majority of the bicolors have to offer. I also think that the Brandywine heritage of LL and LX contribute significantly to improved flavor. __________________ Craig

June 14, 2006	#1
angelique Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rocklin, California Posts: 501	How does Orange Russian 117 taste? Hi All, How does Orange Russian 117 taste? I saw a few pictures of it online and I think that it is a beautiful tomato. I am already thinking about adding it to my 2007 lineup. I just don't want to be suckered with a pretty but horrible tasting tomato (i.e. my experience with Copia). Thanks for your feedback. Cheers, Angelique

June 14, 2006	#4
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	I got the impression that Orange Russian #117 was a recent intentional cross of Russian #117 and Georgia Streak by Jeff Dawson. I've heard that it's one of the few bicolors that hasn't been added to the "typical bland bicolor" list. I have seeds and will try it out next spring.