Crimson Giant 410

OtterJon · October 2, 2011

So while lurking on Ebay, not for seeds I swear! I happened across an old seed pack from the 50's or 60's It was by Gurneys and the type of tomato was called a Crimson Giant 410. Does this tomato go by any other names nowadays? I can't seem to find anything about it online.

So anyway..I had to spend the 5 bucks on it once I read that the seeds were still sealed inside...Now I know they won't germinate being that old...but if they did, wouldn't that be something! Thoughts..anyone? (besides that I wasted 5 perfectly good dollars I know that much lol)

Jon

SEAMSFASTER · October 2, 2011

Sounds very interesting - I hope you can get some to sprout!! (Though I agree it's not likely...)

This is all I could come up with after a bit of digging:

http://ventmarin.free.fr/passion_tom...ates_cl-cz.htm

The site only mentions "Crimson Giant", without the "410" and the fruit size is <250 g, so this may not be of much use. It indicates the origin is Russian, so perhaps Tania will contribute some insight?

OtterJon · October 2, 2011

Thats a very cool site. I used Google traslate so I can read it

Here's the new English version.

Fruit flattened rose from 150 to 200 grams. Côtelage at the top. Plant leaf potato 180 to 200 centimeters in height. Indeterminate. Variety from Russia.

OtterJon · October 2, 2011

Here's a pic of the seed packet I bought

It says it was tested and guaranteed on the pack so you know it has to still be good LOL

Linda10 · October 2, 2011

One of the listers in SSE yearbook says "80 days, indet., sturdy 5'vines, regular leaf, grows like a bull dog on steroids, brilliant red 3.5" round smooth, perfectly shaped fruits, deep rich sweet, exceptionally rewarding tasted, the quintessential 'eat it out of your hand' tomato, generous yields, this one deserves a lot more appreciation. From: IA SSE HF, SSE TOMATO 1784."

Hope this helps.

EDIT: forgot to say that this is listed as only Crimson Giant (no 410).

OtterJon · October 2, 2011

Hey thanks so much Linda! I really need to join SSE hehe. The 410 may just be a Gurney thing?. Dunno. I contacted them today and told them what I had, and asked if they had any info they could share about this variety. So maybe I'll get an Email back. I will be trying to get these seeds to germinate, and am reading up on techniques for old seed germination. I am highly doubtful they could still be good after this amount of time, but stranger things have happened. It's one of those, don't know unless you try things.

Take care!

Jon

delltraveller · October 3, 2011

Gurney's still used that seed packet into the 1980's. I bought seeds from Gurney's in the later 1970's and into the 1980's and that was still the standard package design for many of the seeds.

delltraveller · October 3, 2011

You should be able to search out some threads here where Dr. Carolyn talks about her methods for "awakening" old seeds. And maybe Tania will weigh in, too. She's been successful in getting some older seeds to come to life.

OtterJon · October 4, 2011

Thanks so much for all the input guys! Dell, that's encouraging to know they could be newer than ancient, though I suppose the real deciding factor to whether they germinate, will be how the seeds were stored. If they were in the glovebox of a VW in the mid seventies, I am afraid it may be no use. Here's to hoping for a cool dark place in a drawer somewhere! I suppose we will see when they get here

Take care!

October 2, 2011	#1
OtterJon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 218	Crimson Giant 410 So while lurking on Ebay, not for seeds I swear! I happened across an old seed pack from the 50's or 60's It was by Gurneys and the type of tomato was called a Crimson Giant 410. Does this tomato go by any other names nowadays? I can't seem to find anything about it online. So anyway..I had to spend the 5 bucks on it once I read that the seeds were still sealed inside...Now I know they won't germinate being that old...but if they did, wouldn't that be something! Thoughts..anyone? (besides that I wasted 5 perfectly good dollars I know that much lol) Jon

October 2, 2011	#5
Linda10 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brush Prairie, WA Posts: 925	One of the listers in SSE yearbook says "80 days, indet., sturdy 5'vines, regular leaf, grows like a bull dog on steroids, brilliant red 3.5" round smooth, perfectly shaped fruits, deep rich sweet, exceptionally rewarding tasted, the quintessential 'eat it out of your hand' tomato, generous yields, this one deserves a lot more appreciation. From: IA SSE HF, SSE TOMATO 1784." Hope this helps. EDIT: forgot to say that this is listed as only Crimson Giant (no 410). __________________ Linda10 Last edited by Linda10; October 2, 2011 at 03:49 PM. Reason: add info

October 2, 2011	#2
SEAMSFASTER Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: American Fork, Utah Posts: 160	Sounds very interesting - I hope you can get some to sprout!! (Though I agree it's not likely...) This is all I could come up with after a bit of digging: http://ventmarin.free.fr/passion_tom...ates_cl-cz.htm The site only mentions "Crimson Giant", without the "410" and the fruit size is <250 g, so this may not be of much use. It indicates the origin is Russian, so perhaps Tania will contribute some insight?

October 3, 2011	#7
delltraveller Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 481	Gurney's still used that seed packet into the 1980's. I bought seeds from Gurney's in the later 1970's and into the 1980's and that was still the standard package design for many of the seeds.

October 4, 2011	#9
OtterJon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 218	Thanks so much for all the input guys! Dell, that's encouraging to know they could be newer than ancient, though I suppose the real deciding factor to whether they germinate, will be how the seeds were stored. If they were in the glovebox of a VW in the mid seventies, I am afraid it may be no use. Here's to hoping for a cool dark place in a drawer somewhere! I suppose we will see when they get here Take care!