Were my seeds mislabled? (pictures inside)

Lycopersica · September 17, 2012

Believe it or not, the seeds were labled purple calabash. Can environmental stress make a purple calabash grow fruit that look like red cherry tomatoes? If not, can anyone identify my mystery plant?

Admittedly, the plant has been through hell and back. I ordered 'red robin' cherry tomato seeds because I only had a couple two gallon containers. These were sent by mistake. Since I didn't really expect purple calabashes to survive, I gave preferential treatment to the red robin plants once the replacement seeds showed up. In other words, this plant grew to be about four feet tall in a quart sized yogurt container! In addition to being severely root bound, it probably didn't get enough sun and suffered minor physical damage (you can imagine what it was like trying to get a four foot plant out of a yogurt container!) Could any of these stressors make the plant produce abnormal tomatoes or was the seed seller even more disorganized than I thought?

delltraveller · September 18, 2012

Well, the green gel would be the right color for Purple Calabash. And environmental conditions can make them lean towards red as opposed to the "black", I've had that happen myself. But I'd still expect to see fruits that were ribbed and irregular, even if they were very small.

Lycopersica · September 22, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by delltraveller

Well, the green gel would be the right color for Purple Calabash. And environmental conditions can make them lean towards red as opposed to the "black", I've had that happen myself. But I'd still expect to see fruits that were ribbed and irregular, even if they were very small.

I know what you mean. A couple more tomatoes have started to ripen and they're all tiny, red, and smooth as marbles. Under normal conditions, do purple calabashes come in ruffled from the start? Or do they start out round and then fold inward as the skin grows?

maf · September 22, 2012

Ruffled tomatoes start off ruffled when they are very small, if they are round they are the wrong variety for sure.

**carolyn137** · September 22, 2012

http://www.google.com/search?num=10&....1.JMQ4nMidQlk

Above are pictures from Google IMAGES and show what Purple Calabash should look like. If you haven't viewed such images before just put your mouse pointer over a picture and a window pops up and confirms you're looking at PC and where the picture is from.

I grew Purple Calabash once, and that was enough for me.

Lycopersica · September 22, 2012

I've done my research so I know what purple calabashes usually look like. I thought maybe if they ripened prematurely it might affect the shape but I guess the answer is no. Oh well, I should really count my blessings. They at least taste good though I still wish I knew what they are.

September 17, 2012	#1
Lycopersica Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New England Posts: 46	Were my seeds mislabled? (pictures inside) Believe it or not, the seeds were labled purple calabash. Can environmental stress make a purple calabash grow fruit that look like red cherry tomatoes? If not, can anyone identify my mystery plant? Admittedly, the plant has been through hell and back. I ordered 'red robin' cherry tomato seeds because I only had a couple two gallon containers. These were sent by mistake. Since I didn't really expect purple calabashes to survive, I gave preferential treatment to the red robin plants once the replacement seeds showed up. In other words, this plant grew to be about four feet tall in a quart sized yogurt container! In addition to being severely root bound, it probably didn't get enough sun and suffered minor physical damage (you can imagine what it was like trying to get a four foot plant out of a yogurt container!) Could any of these stressors make the plant produce abnormal tomatoes or was the seed seller even more disorganized than I thought? __________________ Root for your cuttings and they'll do the same for you

September 22, 2012	#5
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	http://www.google.com/search?num=10&....1.JMQ4nMidQlk Above are pictures from Google IMAGES and show what Purple Calabash should look like. If you haven't viewed such images before just put your mouse pointer over a picture and a window pops up and confirms you're looking at PC and where the picture is from. I grew Purple Calabash once, and that was enough for me. __________________ Carolyn

September 22, 2012	#6
Lycopersica Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New England Posts: 46	I've done my research so I know what purple calabashes usually look like. I thought maybe if they ripened prematurely it might affect the shape but I guess the answer is no. Oh well, I should really count my blessings. They at least taste good though I still wish I knew what they are. __________________ Root for your cuttings and they'll do the same for you

September 18, 2012	#2
delltraveller Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 481	Well, the green gel would be the right color for Purple Calabash. And environmental conditions can make them lean towards red as opposed to the "black", I've had that happen myself. But I'd still expect to see fruits that were ribbed and irregular, even if they were very small.

September 22, 2012	#4
maf Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: England Posts: 512	Ruffled tomatoes start off ruffled when they are very small, if they are round they are the wrong variety for sure.