skip to main content

Growing Tomatoes

Interesting results from heirloom 'Great White'

15 years ago

I've grown heirlooms from seed this year, all purchased at Tomatobob.com. I'm growing Great White, White Wonder, Hank, Homestead and Tiny Tim. (The Homestead and Tiny Tims were planted late).

I've got 2 of the Great White plants in the garden, and they have produced 2 completely different kinds of fruit. When I should have 8-18 ounce white beefsteaks, I instead have clusters of cherry-sized white tomatoes on one plant and plum-type RED tomatoes on the other. The white cherries are great for eating off the vine, and the red ones are very good, meaty tomatoes that we will be using for pizza. But they're not what they are supposed to be, and even stranger, the plants are identical - they look, grow, and even smell the same. (A lot of you may know how the foliage of different varieties slightly differ in smell). The flowers, leaves, growth rate and everything about the two plants seem identical, yet the fruit are completely different. I have emailed Tomatobob about it and hope to get a reply. I guess it was an accidental hybrid of some sort?

Here's some pics of the two different fruits, plus some of the nice-sized White Wonders I"m waiting for to ripen.

{{gwi:1359471}}
{{gwi:1359473}}
{{gwi:1359474}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

carolyn137
15 years ago
If you have two plants of the same variety from seeds from the same seed pack and both are nothing like what the variety is supposed to be it suggests to me that you got crossed seed and not stray seeds and hopefully tomatobob can clarify that for you.

I've grown Great White and lots of other so called whites, none of which are supposed to be white, and of the larger fruited whites my fave is still White Queen which I think has the best taste, whites not being known for taste, and is also the whitest of the whites I've grown.

I don't grow them anymore for it was primarily during my exploration into different colors and fruit shapes that I did for many years.

Now I grow primarily for taste and secondarily for production. ( smile)

If you really like what you have, right now you don't really know if it's crossed seed and the small red and small white are stray seeds or hybrids, you can save F2 seed from the hybrids, if that's what they turn out to be, and make some selections.

Carolyn
raisemybeds
15 years ago
My, this is interesting. A local freecycler brought me a Great White seedling this season that he said a friend had started for him, and I have it growing in some serious compost right now and looking fabulous. Although the fruits haven't ripened, they are nothing like either of your crossed selections. My plant is sporting very large beefsteaks, so I hope that what I have is what Great White is actually supposed to be. I am anticipating maybe very pale yellow fruits very soon? If not, we will have yet a third not-quite-Great-White. Sorry for your disappointment, catman529. I think we have all had a "hey this is not what I thought I planted" tomato moment.
Related Discussions
HAVE: Great white beefsteak heirloom tomato
Q
Comments (2)
I would love to trade with you but there is nothing on your exchange list. Could you tell me what kind of flowers you would like to trade for? Shade? Sun? Perennials? Annuals? My list hasn't been updated to date, but you can check it out and let me know what your interests are. Thanks.
...See More
WANTED: Issaquah trade:interested in heirloom veggie starts?
Q
Comments (8)
Hi, I'm very interested in your black bamboo. Is there any particular dahlia that you are looking for? I also have a dwarf crepe myrtle that I can part with. I do have a few vegetable starts, but nothing very exciting - just the everyday varieties. I might be able to get some heirloom tomato starts from a friend if you have a particular variety you want. Let me know. I have several annual flower starts, too, if you're interested.
...See More
An interesting result of all that rain...
Q
Comments (8)
Chelone, My guess is that a bird deposited it in there...I have lots of sunflowers, a bed of giant re-seeders that are "harvested" by the birds every year! Today, with an absence of downpours, the little seedling is looking less thrifty. I agree with paige and hostas, it has potential to loosen mortar, but, I don't think this plant will get that large. I'm going to let it go on growing. If it blooms, I'll be sure to post a pic! Emily
...See More
Initial marble restoration results if interested
Q
Comments (16)
Remodelfla, Thanks so much for posting. I have a section of marble in my shower that has some rust discoloration. We have well water and it is hard so it is treated. Unfortunately, our home was uninhabited for 18+ months after we bought it and before reno was move in ready. The water built up some rust which has now discolored part of my shower wall. I may try what you did. Anyway, I have some ideas about how to incorporate your lovely tile. I had a similar question about how to mix materials. The existing shower stall was 8'x8' and has a built in teak bench. It was floor to ceiling (including the floor and the ceiling) 12" sq white thassos marble tiles, shiny. I wanted to make the shower stall just a little smaller to accommodate a new bath on the other side, and I also wanted all new shower heads, etc. This meant one wall, of the six planes, had to be retiled. I knew i could never get a perfect match of the existing Thassos. So I opted to do a paisley mosaic of matte and shiny marble, and then use a matte border of smaller subways. I used a liner to outline the "feature tile", my paisley mosaic.So it was all white tile and all marble, to tie it together. But using different shapes and sizes finessed the lack of a true match, kwim? Here are some photos --- sorry for bad photos, all true white New wall: New wall close up: Old wall ( and also what the rest of the shower looks like)
...See More
reaverg
15 years ago
Perhaps the white/pale yellow cherry tomatoes are snow white? Those White Wonders look wonderful by the way.
carolyn137
15 years ago
Perhaps the white/pale yellow cherry tomatoes are snow white? Those White Wonders look wonderful by the way.

****

They also resemble Ghost, Rabbit, Mirabelle Blanche and Dr. Carolyn.

If it's a stray seed I didn't check at tomatobob's website to see what small white/pale yellow cherries might be listed.

Carolyn
catman529
Original Author
15 years ago
I don't think it's stray seeds, because the plants themselves are identical, so I'm sure it's cross-pollination. I'm saving some seeds from one of the white cherries and they're getting good and moldy right now, but I probably won't grow them in the garden next year.

BTW my first White Wonder is ripe (just a bit of green left on top) and I'll be picking it either tonight or tomorrow morning, and I'll post pics. It has a little BER and some deer tooth marks (grr I hate the deer) but other than that it's a nice one, about 4-5 inches wide and perfectly shaped.
lee_71
15 years ago
If it was cross pollination, and these are the F1 seeds,
the fruit would be identical.
If these are the F2 seeds, the fruit could be different as well as the plant growth, habit, leaf type, etc....

My vote is mixed up seeds....

But if they are good, it'll be a nice mystery!

Lee

Related Stories

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: In Brooklyn, Family Heirlooms and a Global Perspective

By Elaine Musiwa

Family keepsakes, African art and black walls add character to a couple’s New York apartment

INSIDE HOUZZ See the Results: The Houzz/Lowe’s Dream Kitchen Sweepstakes

By Becky Harris

An interior designer and products from Lowe’s help this homeowner fulfill a kitchen dream

KITCHEN DESIGN Survey Results: Kitchen Trends That Seem Here to Stay

By Mitchell Parker

More than a third of respondents in Houzz’s annual kitchen trends report now have the means to remodel. Here’s what else they told us

RANCH HOMES Houzz Tour: Ranch House Changes Yield Big Results

By Mary Jo Bowling

An architect helps homeowners add features, including a new kitchen, that make their Minnesota home feel just right

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Heirlooms and Antiques Befit a 1778 Vermont Home

By Theresa Fine

Family treasures fit right in with original details in a spacious pre–Civil War home renovated with respect for its history

COLOR Speed-Dial Color Selection to Get the Best Result

By Kimberly Collins Jermain

You’ve belabored your color decisions and are still stuck. Here is how to evaluate your space and make choices that are right for you

DECORATING GUIDES Vintage Modern: Featuring Heirlooms and Found Items

By Kerrie Kelly Design Lab

Can't Get Rid of It? Here's How to Create a Warm Mix of Old and New

REMODELING GUIDES Houzz Survey Results: Remodeling Likely to Trump Selling in 2014

By Mitchell Parker

Most homeowners say they’re staying put for now, and investing in features to help them live better and love their homes more

BASEMENTS Basement of the Week: Smart Cost Cutting, Beautiful Results

By Becky Harris

A stylish multipurpose basement for less than half the usual cost? See the budget-saving tricks that helped this underground space

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Battling the Tides Results in a Wondrous House on the Water

By Mitchell Parker

A complex construction effort pays off big-time with unobstructed views of Blue Hill Bay in Maine

Sponsored

More Discussions

Has anyone heard of a storage tomato? Looking at Giallorosso di Crispi

4

"Purple" tomatoes?

4