New "Improved" Sungold?

travis · August 7, 2006

From Johnny's Seed newsletter:

"After the introduction of Sun Gold, breeders, including Sun Gold's (SG's) breeder, introduced versions that were less prone to cracking, probably 15 - 20 varieties to date. None of them tastes as good as SG. Our position is to not carry a new one unless it tastes as good, because we know that practical market gardeners would masquerade the new, more crack-resistant but less flavorful version as 'Sun Gold' in the market, which would eventually damage the reputation of SG, thus ruining a good thing."

This may explain something ...

I've said in a couple of threads that I wasn't as impressed with Sungold as all the hype had me built up for.

The Sungolds I'm growing are small, taste okay, are super sweet but not intensely fruity or "tomatoey" and are virtually crack free. I mean less than say 2% have been cracked or blemished in any way.

I got my seeds from a packet at a local nursery packaged by Northrup King.

Who knows?

PV

**mdvpc** · August 7, 2006

PV-interesting because I am not a real fan of sun gold myself and cant figure out what the big deal is about it-I think mine came from TGS.

landarc · August 7, 2006

I can say that 2% cracking would be exceptional in my experience. I mean, many times they look good on the vines, but, the minute I pick em, they crack. Like I am using a vise to pick em, or something. I would say 30% split at picking, and a good 10% to 15% split when they think I might pick em.

Love2Troll · August 7, 2006

I'm a huge fan of Sungold and have tried from several sources. Sometimes get red(ish) ones.

To reduce the "split at picking" pick in late afternoon and never pick during early morning or within a few hours after a heavy rain.

landarc · August 7, 2006

great! now I have to wipe off the keyboard because of Wingnut

Fert1 · August 7, 2006

Interesting! While I do like the flavor of SunGold, quite a bit actually, I've never had the splitting problem people mention. As long as I'm careful how I pick them, no problem. Plus I usually do pick in the evenings. Now I had noticed, very thick, tough skins on them. I'm guessing that's intentional to prevent the cracking. Frankly, I think I'd rather have the cracking. They never last long enough around here for it to be a problem. It's off the vine and into the mouth, just about.

August 7, 2006	#1
travis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 2,984	New "Improved" Sungold? From Johnny's Seed newsletter: "After the introduction of Sun Gold, breeders, including Sun Gold's (SG's) breeder, introduced versions that were less prone to cracking, probably 15 - 20 varieties to date. None of them tastes as good as SG. Our position is to not carry a new one unless it tastes as good, because we know that practical market gardeners would masquerade the new, more crack-resistant but less flavorful version as 'Sun Gold' in the market, which would eventually damage the reputation of SG, thus ruining a good thing." This may explain something ... I've said in a couple of threads that I wasn't as impressed with Sungold as all the hype had me built up for. The Sungolds I'm growing are small, taste okay, are super sweet but not intensely fruity or "tomatoey" and are virtually crack free. I mean less than say 2% have been cracked or blemished in any way. I got my seeds from a packet at a local nursery packaged by Northrup King. Who knows? PV

August 7, 2006	#2
mdvpc Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,386	PV-interesting because I am not a real fan of sun gold myself and cant figure out what the big deal is about it-I think mine came from TGS. __________________ Michael

August 7, 2006	#3
landarc Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Left Coasty Posts: 964	I can say that 2% cracking would be exceptional in my experience. I mean, many times they look good on the vines, but, the minute I pick em, they crack. Like I am using a vise to pick em, or something. I would say 30% split at picking, and a good 10% to 15% split when they think I might pick em. __________________ Lets see...$10 for Worth and $5 for Fusion, man. Tomatoes are expensive! Bob

August 7, 2006	#5
landarc Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Left Coasty Posts: 964	great! now I have to wipe off the keyboard because of Wingnut __________________ Lets see...$10 for Worth and $5 for Fusion, man. Tomatoes are expensive! Bob

August 7, 2006	#6
Fert1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Upstate SC, Zone 7 Posts: 543	Interesting! While I do like the flavor of SunGold, quite a bit actually, I've never had the splitting problem people mention. As long as I'm careful how I pick them, no problem. Plus I usually do pick in the evenings. Now I had noticed, very thick, tough skins on them. I'm guessing that's intentional to prevent the cracking. Frankly, I think I'd rather have the cracking. They never last long enough around here for it to be a problem. It's off the vine and into the mouth, just about. __________________ Holly

August 7, 2006	#4
Love2Troll Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 64079 (Missouri) Posts: 252	I'm a huge fan of Sungold and have tried from several sources. Sometimes get red(ish) ones. To reduce the "split at picking" pick in late afternoon and never pick during early morning or within a few hours after a heavy rain.