Identify this tomato

[hornstrider]

I grew all of my plants from seed. The three tomato's pictured are cherokee purple, ???, and kosovo. I have never grown dester before, and I decided to try them this year because of the reviews from some of you guys. I planted three dester tomato plants, and two plants seem to be what I expected.... large red beefsteaks tomato's. This plant is more prolific, but is yellow. I have never grown a yellow beefsteak tomato before. What could it be? When are they ripe?

[jmsieglaff]

As far as ripeness, the pink blush on the bottom of the yellow fruit is a good indication, go by feel as well.

What it is? I can't help much there. I would ask a couple questions to try to figure it out--what was your seed source, perhaps someone's seeds got crossed, maybe contact them to see if they've noticed the similar results? Could be a stray seed. Last thought is it is possible it is a mutation of some sort--do the fruits match Dester (size, shape, etc) except for color?

[hornstrider]

Thanks JM....I thought it was ripe from the feel of it. I will cut into it today.

[hornstrider]

Today for lunch I cut into the "Yellow Dester", and a red Dester, and they look exactly the same on the inside except one is red, and the other is yellow. They taste the same, with the yellow being a little sweeter. If I save seeds will the tomato's be yellow? or red? This was the first tomato off of each plant, and w/ all of the rain we have had the flavor is not as intense as they will become once it warms up to normal temps.

[jmsieglaff]

Originally Posted by hornstrider

Today for lunch I cut into the "Yellow Dester", and a red Dester, and they look exactly the same on the inside except one is red, and the other is yellow. They taste the same, with the yellow being a little sweeter. If I save seeds will the tomato's be yellow? or red? This was the first tomato off of each plant, and w/ all of the rain we have had the flavor is not as intense as they will become once it warms up to normal temps.

Do the plants look identical as well? With future fruits cut some in half both vertically and horizontally and see if the structure is similar. Will "yellow dester" come true from saved seeds? Depends. Say it is a mutation then yes the seeds saved from the fruits should all breed true. I would guess it is not a cross since it is yellow and red is dominate to yellow, but I suppose if it crossed seed of yellows it is possible. Lastly it could be stray seed from your collection or where you got the seeds from.

If the fruits and plants of yellow are pretty much the same as the red plants I'd grow some seed out next year and see if it comes true (at least a few plants).

[UFXEFU]

What was your seed source for the Dester? It is possible that a stray yellow beefsteak got mixed with the Dester seeds. I have never grown either, but looking at Tatiana's page Yellow Beefsteak and Dester look similar except for color.

[hornstrider]

I purchased the seeds from Tomato Growers Supply. I have had very good luck with them in the past. When I cut into both tomato's they looked exactly the same. The leaves on the plant are also the same.??????????