Honey

GreenThumbGal_07 · February 20, 2006

I tried to grow this last year (TomatoFest seed source) and germination was zero. Trying again this year (newly-ordered, seed from same source) and there are no sprouts from seeds planted 10 days ago.

Tanager Song Farm used to carry Honey, but no longer does.

If anyone knows of another source for Honey, a place which sells viable seeds of this variety, could you please post it here?

Thanks in advance.

GTG

**carolyn137** · February 21, 2006

GTG,

I took some time last night to check some back SSE Yearbooks to see who had listed it to see if any of those folks own companies that sell seeds.

One possibility was Marianne Jones but I checked her website and she isn't listing it.

I was able to trace the appearance of Honey back to 1989 when it was introduced by an SSE member from MN.

And it had far more listings in the early 90's rather than in more recent years although a few folks still do list it.

If I may ask, what is your interest in this variety? Is it b'c of the presumed Latvian background? I ask b'c while almost everyone who listed it spoke well of the taste, I don't see it as being that different from many other large pinks.

Or is it the name that attracts you?

Just curious.

**nctomatoman** · February 21, 2006

Honey seemed to originate with Calvin Wait - he called it the sweetest tomato he'd tasted. I got seeds from him and grew it out - it was a good pink, but nothing I would rate as noteworthy or above any of dozens of other pinks.

**carolyn137** · February 21, 2006

Craig, it went back further than Calvin, see my post above, and I agree with you about it being nothing special and also see my post above as to other possible reasons for GTG's interest in this variety.

Jonesey1 · February 21, 2006

They may not be the same thing, but TGS has a Honey Hybrid. i started some and they germinated fine.

**carolyn137** · February 21, 2006

No Scott, they aren't the same thing.

The variety Honey being talked about here is an OP heirloom that was first listed at SSE in 1989 and what you're referring to is a brand new hybrid just listed for 2006 in the TGS catalog/website.

Tomatofest and Tanager Song Farm that GTG mentioned sell only OP's and in the SSE Yearbook only OP's are listed as well, or should be.

But glad your seeds germinated well.

GreenThumbGal_07 · February 21, 2006

Carolyn,

I'm interested in Honey because I'm looking for a good sweet tomato, and I also like the idea of having a rare variety. I had "Honey Hybrid" from TGS under consideration and may try it. TSF had originally described Honey as "rampant indeterminate" and "a poor keeper" (fragile fruit) also.

GTG

**nctomatoman** · February 21, 2006

So tempting to reply to this thread with a simple

"Yes, dear"???

a very small amt of humor...best I can do while at work!

**coronabarb** · February 21, 2006

craig,

Humor duly noted and very appreciated this particular morning.

**carolyn137** · February 21, 2006

GTG,

If you're looking for a sweet variety why not consider Pink Sweet, named by Craig who got it unnamed, and Sandul Moldovan, both at Sandhill.

But as always, my sweet and your sweet may not be the same sweets.

Craig, that was awful, just awful..... as in "yes dear", although I must confess that not having been actually married and having to, excuse me, put up with someone on a full time basis, it does sound a bit "sweet" to my ears.

And now I'm hopping mad and of course I'll tell you why.

About an hour ago my mind was wandering, as it does from time to time, and I remembered very clearly that Calvin had sent me Honey, as in the tomato variety, lest you interpret that differently, and I never grew it out. He sent me lots of varieties I just never got around to and Fax Stinnet did the same.

And no, I no longer have those seeds.

bully · February 21, 2006

sweetest I had to date in a non cherry was Momotaro.

i messed the name up so badly that Laurel found it funny and sent me seeds.

you can buy them at kitazawa(sp?)

Catntree · February 21, 2006

GTG,

I have a few spare Honey from Marianna's....

PM me if you have a trade or SSE is ok, too.

I thought it was a fine variety....not especially sweet, but i'll grow it out again this year....esp. since seeds are scarce.

GreenThumbGal_07 · February 23, 2006

I let TomatoFest know of my seed germination problems. They sent me more seeds*, including replacement seeds for Honey.

So now I have two packets of Honey seeds from TomatoFest.

Tonight I placed all these seeds between layers of toilet tissue, dampened with water, in two zip-lock sandwich bags. I'll wait a week or so and see what I get.

Those who have sent me offers of viable Honey seeds, I may take you up on it, and thanks in advance for your generosity.

GTG

*I now have lots of extra seeds from them! Black Prince, Box Car Willie, Dagma's Perfection, Earl of Edgecombe, Peppermint, Cherokee Chocolate, Julia Child, Mirabell, and Mrs. Houseworth, as well as the replacement seeds for the non-germinating Honey, Heidi, and Roughwood Golden Plum.

Mantis · February 23, 2006

I second Bullys comments on Momotaro. Loved the taste of this one. Very sweet but not sickly sweet. Great hybrid in my opinion and will grow it again next season.
TGS has this one.

February 20, 2006	#1
GreenThumbGal_07 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern California Posts: 300	Honey I tried to grow this last year (TomatoFest seed source) and germination was zero. Trying again this year (newly-ordered, seed from same source) and there are no sprouts from seeds planted 10 days ago. Tanager Song Farm used to carry Honey, but no longer does. If anyone knows of another source for Honey, a place which sells viable seeds of this variety, could you please post it here? Thanks in advance. GTG

February 21, 2006	#2
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	GTG, I took some time last night to check some back SSE Yearbooks to see who had listed it to see if any of those folks own companies that sell seeds. One possibility was Marianne Jones but I checked her website and she isn't listing it. I was able to trace the appearance of Honey back to 1989 when it was introduced by an SSE member from MN. And it had far more listings in the early 90's rather than in more recent years although a few folks still do list it. If I may ask, what is your interest in this variety? Is it b'c of the presumed Latvian background? I ask b'c while almost everyone who listed it spoke well of the taste, I don't see it as being that different from many other large pinks. Or is it the name that attracts you? Just curious. __________________ Carolyn

February 21, 2006	#3
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Honey seemed to originate with Calvin Wait - he called it the sweetest tomato he'd tasted. I got seeds from him and grew it out - it was a good pink, but nothing I would rate as noteworthy or above any of dozens of other pinks. __________________ Craig

February 21, 2006	#4
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	Craig, it went back further than Calvin, see my post above, and I agree with you about it being nothing special and also see my post above as to other possible reasons for GTG's interest in this variety. __________________ Carolyn

February 21, 2006	#5
Jonesey1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tolosa, Texas Posts: 25	They may not be the same thing, but TGS has a Honey Hybrid. i started some and they germinated fine. __________________ Scott Zone 8a Tolosa, Texas

February 21, 2006	#7
GreenThumbGal_07 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern California Posts: 300	Honey Carolyn, I'm interested in Honey because I'm looking for a good sweet tomato, and I also like the idea of having a rare variety. I had "Honey Hybrid" from TGS under consideration and may try it. TSF had originally described Honey as "rampant indeterminate" and "a poor keeper" (fragile fruit) also. GTG

February 21, 2006	#9
coronabarb Tomatoville® Recipe Keeper Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Roseburg, Oregon - zone 7 Posts: 2,821	craig, Humor duly noted and very appreciated this particular morning. __________________ Corona~Barb Now an Oregon gal

February 21, 2006	#11
bully Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: S.E. MI Posts: 794	sweetest I had to date in a non cherry was Momotaro. i messed the name up so badly that Laurel found it funny and sent me seeds. you can buy them at kitazawa(sp?)

February 21, 2006	#12
Catntree Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 177	GTG, I have a few spare Honey from Marianna's.... PM me if you have a trade or SSE is ok, too. I thought it was a fine variety....not especially sweet, but i'll grow it out again this year....esp. since seeds are scarce. __________________ Zone 4/5

February 23, 2006	#13
GreenThumbGal_07 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern California Posts: 300	Honey I let TomatoFest know of my seed germination problems. They sent me more seeds, including replacement seeds for Honey. So now I have two packets of Honey seeds from TomatoFest. Tonight I placed all* these seeds between layers of toilet tissue, dampened with water, in two zip-lock sandwich bags. I'll wait a week or so and see what I get. Those who have sent me offers of viable Honey seeds, I may take you up on it, and thanks in advance for your generosity. GTG I now have lots* of extra seeds from them! Black Prince, Box Car Willie, Dagma's Perfection, Earl of Edgecombe, Peppermint, Cherokee Chocolate, Julia Child, Mirabell, and Mrs. Houseworth, as well as the replacement seeds for the non-germinating Honey, Heidi, and Roughwood Golden Plum.

February 23, 2006	#14
Mantis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 1,241	I second Bullys comments on Momotaro. Loved the taste of this one. Very sweet but not sickly sweet. Great hybrid in my opinion and will grow it again next season. TGS has this one.