Cherokee Purple -- Finally!

TomatoDon · August 1, 2013

I think I've tried Cherokee Purple ever year since 2006, when I became a member here at Tomatoville. Every year was a disappointment with CP. What few fruit I'd get was usually small and very ordinary.

This year I had three plants and they did better than what I thought the best a Cherokee Purple could do. I'd say just one of those plants produced more big, delicious CP than all the others plants from all the other years combined.

I planted all three CP's in one bed. They were bought as seedlings, I think from Wal-Mart and produced by Bonnie's Plants. These plants, assuming they really are CP, produced an abundance of large, dusky-rose colored tomatoes. Many of them were in the one pound range. These three plants produced so many that I actually had to give some away. All the CP giveaways were really nice, large, and beautifully colored. I've had so many tomatoes coming in the past few weeks that I've given away probably 250 of all varieties.

NOW I can see why so many of you love Cherokee Purple. This year started out a little late, but boy did the plants take off and grow and produce when it warmed up. The Brandywines did good, the Cherokee Purples did good, and so did the Big Beef, Big Boys, and Better Boys.

I don't recall doing anything different than I always do. This just happened to be one of those good years for me. I have 42 plants total. Six in town and 36 at the farm. I never sprayed them a single time for anything, and only lost two plants to wilt. I never saw a tomato horn worm, either. The geese only pecked a few of the fruits, and the coons left them alone, too.

The stifling heat is slowing them all down a little now, and I'm seeing more small fruit in both tomato patches. However, if I just picked what is ready now and didn't get another tomato this year I'd still have to rate this season overall an "A." And I'll keep Cherokee Purple on the grow list for next year.

Thanks to the Good Lord blessing the garden and growing season this year.

peppero · August 1, 2013

don, i too have experienced some disappointment with CP but, i decided to try again. i put out two plants and they did grow in a fine manner. the first two tomatoes reinforced the idea that i would not grow them again however, the next three were very good and the plants have quite a few green ones. because of the good tasting ones i will grow them again

yes the creator' earth is capable of so many good things. now if man would get in step.

jon

peppero · August 1, 2013

i too have been disappointed by cherokee purple. i even decided after eating the first two this season that i would not try them next year, that is till i ate the next two. happily the vines have several green ones.

the creator has provided a wonderful place with many joys. now if man would learn to properly care for it.

jon

COMPOSTER · August 1, 2013

I'm growing CP for the first time. In the short time I have been learning about heirloom tomatoes they seem to be almost as famous as Brandywine pink, which I absolutely loved last year. I have a decent amount of fruit that is ripening nicely and I hope to pick and enjoy them as much as you folks have. That said, my CP plants have more foliage disease than any of my other plants. I have pruned so much foliage that they look like badly shaped bonsai plants.

Labradors2 · August 1, 2013

I've grown Cherokee Purple before and been disappointed. I think it's because I always have problems with large tomatoes taking so long to mature that they usually crack and or rot first.

This winter I found a packet of CP seeds on sale and bought some for a friend and a packet for myself. I'm SO glad that I did! Now that I've learned that we can pick tomatoes when they first blush, I did that and thoroughly enjoyed my three CP tomatoes, which were one of the first to ripen in my Ontario (Canada) garden this year.

Linda

TomatoDon · August 1, 2013

I hate to get off topic, but is there a preferred "right" way to bring them in to finish maturing inside? I've heard to put them in a paper sack, to put them on the window sill, or to just set them on the counter. One thing I know is to NOT put them in the refrigerator.

A long time ago someone here said something like, once they start to turn to their mature color that it's OK to pick them because by that time the tomato has all it needs to finish developing for taste. I guess this would translate to about three days or four days.

Does anyone have accurate information and experience on these two points?

Thanks,

Don

Deborah · August 1, 2013

The only CP I've ever had was one from a store-and if that one was so good then home grown must be outta this world !

TomatoDon · August 1, 2013

Peppero I see that you're in Selmer. We share a very similar climate. I'm right on the edge of 7 and you would be in 8 I think. Probably what works for me will work for you and vice versa.

Don

NarnianGarden · August 2, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomatoDon

I hate to get off topic, but is there a preferred "right" way to bring them in to finish maturing inside? I've heard to put them in a paper sack, to put them on the window sill, or to just set them on the counter. One thing I know is to NOT put them in the refrigerator.

A long time ago someone here said something like, once they start to turn to their mature color that it's OK to pick them because by that time the tomato has all it needs to finish developing for taste. I guess this would translate to about three days or four days.

Does anyone have accurate information and experience on these two points?

Thanks,

Don

*Waiting for the first hint of color*

Not sure about the best way, but I have heard that window sill is absolutely out of question! The place has to be dark, so a paper bag or wrapped in a newspaper would be ok.
When my mother was little, her family grew tomatoes and the green ones were left to ripen in a box under a bed...

peppero · August 2, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomatoDon

Peppero I see that you're in Selmer. We share a very similar climate. I'm right on the edge of 7 and you would be in 8 I think. Probably what works for me will work for you and vice versa.

Don

Don I maY be in 8 now what with the recent change in zones. it seems that this area is in a micro climate that includes an area that is north of you. I do know that tornadic storms that affect marshall county usually sweep up into mcnairy county.

Jon

mbrowne · August 2, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomatoDon

I hate to get off topic, but is there a preferred "right" way to bring them in to finish maturing inside? I've heard to put them in a paper sack, to put them on the window sill, or to just set them on the counter. One thing I know is to NOT put them in the refrigerator.
...
Does anyone have accurate information and experience on these two points?

This is my first year with Cherokee Purple, and I love them. The off-vine ripening is easy to test, and I haven't found any difference between on a counter or in a bag, either in time to completion or taste.

TomatoDon · August 3, 2013

To my mind it seems like the absolute perfect time to harvest is when they peak with red and firmness (red varieties), but time and again people here at Tomatoville say that the taste is just as good if you pick then before hitting that peak. I know the storage life is much shorter if you pick the really ripe ones.

I am going to pick some "turning" tomatoes and keep them out of the sun and see how good they taste becomes and if they get to their peak of color.

Thanks!

Don

**carolyn137** · August 3, 2013

I have never had a problem with Cherokee Purple, seeds to Craig from John Green of TN, since Craig introduced it in 1992, nor with Indian Stripe, a version of CP found in Arkansas, and if those of you in the south have problems with CP, which most don't, then try Indian Stripe.

http://t.tatianastomatobase.com:88/wiki/Indian_Stripe

As to ripening fruits off the vine, never put them in the sun since they'll dry out and NEVER put them in a paper bag either.

Fruits give off the gas ethylene, it's part of the normal ripening process, but if you put fruits in a paper bag the ethylene builds up, even more so if you add an apple slice or whatever, that some suggest.

The increased concentrationof that gas is about the same as the deliberate gassing in huge chambers of those anemic looking fruits we see shipped up from the south in the winter.

If you feel you have to ripen fruits off the vine,just put them somewhere on a counter out of the sun and leave them alone.

Carolyn

tache · August 3, 2013

Last year was not a great tomato year for me accept for CP. It was a real star. I think it's going to be this year as well. It's a big healthy vine full of lovely red tomatoes that I am going to harvest today. Every thing is looking really great accept for some Brandywines that look a little scrawny. For a few years the plants all looked rather pathetic but this year I can actually sit in their shade. Green Zebra was a little slow to start setting fruit but it's fine now. Hope I will mot jinx anything but I think it is going to be a great year.

Oh yes..I'm in Eugene.

TomatoDon · August 3, 2013

Indian Stripe is one I plan to grow next year. There are always good reports about it here, but I've never tried it. Also, in addition to my CP, I grew Black Krim this year and it did pretty good, too. It was not spectacular, but I was not disappointed with it.

August 1, 2013	#1
TomatoDon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MS Posts: 1,523	Cherokee Purple -- Finally! I think I've tried Cherokee Purple ever year since 2006, when I became a member here at Tomatoville. Every year was a disappointment with CP. What few fruit I'd get was usually small and very ordinary. This year I had three plants and they did better than what I thought the best a Cherokee Purple could do. I'd say just one of those plants produced more big, delicious CP than all the others plants from all the other years combined. I planted all three CP's in one bed. They were bought as seedlings, I think from Wal-Mart and produced by Bonnie's Plants. These plants, assuming they really are CP, produced an abundance of large, dusky-rose colored tomatoes. Many of them were in the one pound range. These three plants produced so many that I actually had to give some away. All the CP giveaways were really nice, large, and beautifully colored. I've had so many tomatoes coming in the past few weeks that I've given away probably 250 of all varieties. NOW I can see why so many of you love Cherokee Purple. This year started out a little late, but boy did the plants take off and grow and produce when it warmed up. The Brandywines did good, the Cherokee Purples did good, and so did the Big Beef, Big Boys, and Better Boys. I don't recall doing anything different than I always do. This just happened to be one of those good years for me. I have 42 plants total. Six in town and 36 at the farm. I never sprayed them a single time for anything, and only lost two plants to wilt. I never saw a tomato horn worm, either. The geese only pecked a few of the fruits, and the coons left them alone, too. The stifling heat is slowing them all down a little now, and I'm seeing more small fruit in both tomato patches. However, if I just picked what is ready now and didn't get another tomato this year I'd still have to rate this season overall an "A." And I'll keep Cherokee Purple on the grow list for next year. Thanks to the Good Lord blessing the garden and growing season this year. __________________ Zone 7B, N. MS

August 1, 2013	#6
TomatoDon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MS Posts: 1,523	I hate to get off topic, but is there a preferred "right" way to bring them in to finish maturing inside? I've heard to put them in a paper sack, to put them on the window sill, or to just set them on the counter. One thing I know is to NOT put them in the refrigerator. A long time ago someone here said something like, once they start to turn to their mature color that it's OK to pick them because by that time the tomato has all it needs to finish developing for taste. I guess this would translate to about three days or four days. Does anyone have accurate information and experience on these two points? Thanks, Don __________________ Zone 7B, N. MS

August 1, 2013	#8
TomatoDon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MS Posts: 1,523	Peppero I see that you're in Selmer. We share a very similar climate. I'm right on the edge of 7 and you would be in 8 I think. Probably what works for me will work for you and vice versa. Don __________________ Zone 7B, N. MS

August 3, 2013	#12
TomatoDon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MS Posts: 1,523	To my mind it seems like the absolute perfect time to harvest is when they peak with red and firmness (red varieties), but time and again people here at Tomatoville say that the taste is just as good if you pick then before hitting that peak. I know the storage life is much shorter if you pick the really ripe ones. I am going to pick some "turning" tomatoes and keep them out of the sun and see how good they taste becomes and if they get to their peak of color. Thanks! Don __________________ Zone 7B, N. MS Last edited by TomatoDon; August 3, 2013 at 02:14 AM.

August 3, 2013	#13
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	I have never had a problem with Cherokee Purple, seeds to Craig from John Green of TN, since Craig introduced it in 1992, nor with Indian Stripe, a version of CP found in Arkansas, and if those of you in the south have problems with CP, which most don't, then try Indian Stripe. http://t.tatianastomatobase.com:88/wiki/Indian_Stripe As to ripening fruits off the vine, never put them in the sun since they'll dry out and NEVER put them in a paper bag either. Fruits give off the gas ethylene, it's part of the normal ripening process, but if you put fruits in a paper bag the ethylene builds up, even more so if you add an apple slice or whatever, that some suggest. The increased concentrationof that gas is about the same as the deliberate gassing in huge chambers of those anemic looking fruits we see shipped up from the south in the winter. If you feel you have to ripen fruits off the vine,just put them somewhere on a counter out of the sun and leave them alone. Carolyn __________________ Carolyn

August 1, 2013	#2
peppero Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: selmer, tn Posts: 2,944	don, i too have experienced some disappointment with CP but, i decided to try again. i put out two plants and they did grow in a fine manner. the first two tomatoes reinforced the idea that i would not grow them again however, the next three were very good and the plants have quite a few green ones. because of the good tasting ones i will grow them again yes the creator' earth is capable of so many good things. now if man would get in step. jon

August 1, 2013	#4
COMPOSTER Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Connecticut Posts: 252	I'm growing CP for the first time. In the short time I have been learning about heirloom tomatoes they seem to be almost as famous as Brandywine pink, which I absolutely loved last year. I have a decent amount of fruit that is ripening nicely and I hope to pick and enjoy them as much as you folks have. That said, my CP plants have more foliage disease than any of my other plants. I have pruned so much foliage that they look like badly shaped bonsai plants.

August 1, 2013	#5
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,896	I've grown Cherokee Purple before and been disappointed. I think it's because I always have problems with large tomatoes taking so long to mature that they usually crack and or rot first. This winter I found a packet of CP seeds on sale and bought some for a friend and a packet for myself. I'm SO glad that I did! Now that I've learned that we can pick tomatoes when they first blush, I did that and thoroughly enjoyed my three CP tomatoes, which were one of the first to ripen in my Ontario (Canada) garden this year. Linda

August 1, 2013	#7
Deborah Riding The Crazy Train Again Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Marcos, California Posts: 2,562	The only CP I've ever had was one from a store-and if that one was so good then home grown must be outta this world !

August 3, 2013	#14
tache Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 52	Last year was not a great tomato year for me accept for CP. It was a real star. I think it's going to be this year as well. It's a big healthy vine full of lovely red tomatoes that I am going to harvest today. Every thing is looking really great accept for some Brandywines that look a little scrawny. For a few years the plants all looked rather pathetic but this year I can actually sit in their shade. Green Zebra was a little slow to start setting fruit but it's fine now. Hope I will mot jinx anything but I think it is going to be a great year. Oh yes..I'm in Eugene.