There's plenty of pictures of Opalka for you to see at Google images and I linked to that below.

On the second page at the top left you'll see the picture from the SSE public catalog and since I'm the person who first listed Opalka in the SSE YEarbooks many years ago and also the source to SSE and Sandhill, and many other seed owners got their starts from the SSE listings as well, I can share with you that the SSE picture and most others are representative of what the fruits should look like.

There's a long thread here about Opalka from last year that you might also look at b'c it was suggested that the Sandhill listing for Opalka was not giving proper plants and I know that one person who reads and posts here contacted them about it.

I would think that if they agreed with that person then probably the 2010 seeds are a new batch produced in 2009. You'll know pretty soon.

You mentioned several variations in your research. I read and post at several message sites and other than the one long thread here I'm not aware of any other variations.

So I'd appreciate it if you would share with me what those variations are since Opalka is one of my tomato kids that has become quite popular.

I do recognize that with not good seed saving practices and the possibility of natural cross pollination that some folks may be offering something that's different from the original variety I obtained from Carl Swidorski, so that's why I'd like to know more. And that can happen with commercially offered seeds as well as traded seeds, as it can with any OP variety.

Thanks,

Carolyn

Here is a link that might be useful: Google images; Opalka

I was searching on here yesterday and saw the thread that you are referring too. I also saw in another thread where it mentioned that large commercial vendors seed didn't always appear to be true opalka. I may have mis lead you with other variations, these were the only two that I was referring to. I just hope I get good stuff from Sand Hill.

I can tell mine are true Opalkas by the wispy, curled foliage...looks a lot more sickly than the other varieties. I've heard Opalka is notorious for its wispy foliage. I got mine from seed trades though, don't know the original source.

I'm glad to hear that because that is how mine look catman. Leaves look curled under a bit and just look a bit sickly.

I had 191 tomato plants including 20 different varieties to sell in my first batch. I sold all of them except for two Opalkas. Don't know if it was because of the wispy foliage or people around here just have no use for a sauce tomato, even if its considered one of the best for that purpose. The two plants I have left are getting big, and the foliage is getting better looking the bigger they get, but still looks worse than any other variety. Of the 16 tomato plants I planted so far in my garden everyone has flowers on it already except for the Opalka. I planted a lot of Opalka seeds thinking it would be one of my biggest sellers, but that turned out to be a commercial mistake.

I'm the person who emailed Glen at Sand Hill about the Opalka seeds. He responded by saying that he would pull Opalka out of the online catalog, and he did. I did notice that he listed them again this year. Given Sand Hill's great reputation, I'm assuming he corrected the situation.
The plants I got from their seed last year had fruit shaped like a roma, the plants were more compact than Opalka, and did not have the wispy, droopy foliage. Hope this helps!!

As Carolyn mentioned it could happen to anyone and knowing how the true plant looks helped you identify the problem, good call louster. Opalka are hands down the best paste tomato and my favorite (not just because my hubby is from Poland either, hehe)

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Olpaka...

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Olpaka...

*****

Yes, that's how Pinetree and a few other places spelled it at one time b/c it was misspelled on a wholesale company's list that was sent out to retailers.

I think you and Mulio may be the last two holdouts on the spelling. ( smile)

Your picture of Opalka fruits does make a good point in that there can be variation of fruit shape and size. As with other varieties I find such variation is most closely associated with the weather in any one season.

Another paste variety I like almost as much as Opalka is Sarnowski Polish Plum and it can do the same thing as can Tony's Italian, another one I like. More consistent as to shape and size and also good tasting fresh are Heidi and Mama Leone.

Carolyn

jctm, those pictures make my mouth water!! And Carolyn, I'm trying Sarnowski Polish Plum this year for the first time, too, and can't wait to taste them.....late July and August seem so far away, sigh...

Thes so-called paste tomatoes are GREAT ON THE GRILL., sish kebobs.So you can sell them as GRILLING tomatoes, insread of PASTE.