Please note that this website is no longer being updated - please go to craiglehoullier.com for the latest!
Just a bit about the Dwarf Tomato Project
NEWS - We just released 8 new Dwarf varieties (four seed companies are sharing the releases)....as of February 2014, our project is responsible for the creation of 25 new Dwarf growing tomatoes! Scroll to the bottom of the page for descriptions and names, as well as the initial offering company.
Note - We are all volunteer, amateur, hobby gardeners in this project and over time become increasingly aware of ways we can do this project better. With some great coaching and help from a local USDA agent, I've learned about the eAPHIS program that allows for electronic approval to send and receive very small quantities of tomato seeds from other countries; I've done the level 2 approval and sent in the appropriate form to do so. Note that the regulations are specific for each country, and Patrina is now working through her local regulations. It is quite possible that differing local situations will result in a split of our project, so all seed movement will be within the US, separate from movement within Australia. This won't hinder our project; we have 17 new releases and sufficient work has been progressing in each area that future releases and work can easily be handled locally. I plan to be working with the SSE in the near future to ensure that all members are aware of this as seeds are exchanged between gardeners all over the world, between many countries.
Finally – an opportunity for space-challenged gardeners to experience the different colors and delicious flavors that were previously only available in tall growing (indeterminate) heirlooms!
First, a bit of history….back in 2005, Craig LeHoullier (aka nctomatoman) of Raleigh, NC, long time heirloom tomato enthusiast and SSE member, discussed an idea with Patrina Nuske-Small of Australia on the popular garden site Garden Web. Craig and his wife, Susan, have been selling tomato seedlings at the local farmer’s market for years, and a frequent request was for delicious, unusual tomato varieties that would do well when grown on decks or patios, in reasonably sized containers. Though his customers loved the big fruited, differently colored heirlooms, the tall vines proved to be quite a challenge for many of them.
Craig, through his seed collecting, was aware of a very few so-called dwarf growing varieties, distinct from the determinate types (which were also relatively compact) in that the flavor seemed in general to be better in the dwarfs. These dwarf types are very distinctive in having a thick central stem, stout compact growth, and dark green, crinkly looking (so-called rugose) foliage.
Craig also collects old seed catalogs to satisfy his interest in the historical development of tomatoes in the United States, and noted in his collection a 1915 catalog from the Isbell Seed Company a listing for New Big Dwarf. What caught Craig’s eye was that the creation of New Big Dwarf was clearly described. This involved a cross of a known medium sized pink fruited dwarf, Dwarf Champion (well known from the late 1800s), with the largest tomato known at that time, Ponderosa. Following the cross and a few generations of selection, a new variety was born – New Big Dwarf – which had the compact growth of Dwarf Champion, but the large fruit size of Ponderosa.
Realizing that through their Garden Web chats Patrina (also an avid heirloom tomato grower) was also skillful at carrying out crosses, Craig explained the Isbell Seed Company listing to Patrina. It was clear that the approach Isbell used was successful, yet strangely never further explored to create a range of new dwarf growing varieties with large fruit, in different colors. So Craig and Patrina described a project in which some strategic crosses would be made, the resulting new hybrids grown out, then seeds shared for work on selection of promising new varieties, followed by several generations to reach a stable new non-hybrid variety with the desired characteristics.
Around that same time, a new tomato chat website emerged, Tomatoville, which provided both a structure for tracking the project, as well as a magnet for the kind of extreme tomato enthusiasts who could make up a perfect volunteer team to take this new project forward. Craig set about to gather volunteers in the US and Canada, and Patrina in Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. By working the project across hemispheres, two growing seasons could be achieved in one calendar year, thus reducing the new tomato variety development time by half.
So, armed with more than 100 willing volunteers, the project set off with the first crosses being grown out in 2006. As of this time, over 40 interesting crosses have been made by Patrina and others, resulting in dozens and dozens of possible color, size and shape combinations. Craig and Patrina are quite sure that this is the very first all volunteer world-wide tomato breeding project in documented gardening history. None involved are botanists or horticulturists – just avid gardeners with a keen interest in learning about tomato genetics or discovering interesting new tomatoes.
What you will find in this catalog are a few of the very first tomatoes made available from this project, which carries on very actively today (and will for the foreseeable future!). Craig selected four seed companies (Tomato Growers Supply Company, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Sandhill Preservation, and Victory Seeds) to introduce small quantities of a few of the new dwarf varieties each.
None of those involved with the project receive any payment for the development of these new varieties – it is just the fulfillment of a passion to create what will hopefully end up being considered heirloom tomato varieties many years from now – a donation to the tomato gene pool, and to those space-challenged gardeners the world over. Full descriptions of the varieties used and volunteers involved in the development will be given for each new variety.
A brief note about Dwarf varieties:
The vast majority of tomato varieties are Indeterminate in growth habit. Think Cherokee Purple or Better Boy or Sungold to get a picture of how indeterminate varieties behave. They are the varieties that need staking, caging, or plenty of room to sprawl. If diseases don’t get to them first, indeterminate varieties grow and bear fruit from planting until they are killed by frost. Though most of the true treasures of the tomato world are indeterminate in growth habit, including most heirloom types, they are a challenge to grow in terms of dealing with the rampant growth of the vines.
Determinate varieties are familiar to tomato growers who have tried Roma, Sophie’s Choice or Taxi. The foliage is indistinguishable from indeterminate types, but the plants (which should never be pruned) reach a particular height and spread, bear loads of fruit (which tend to ripen in a concentrated time period), then die off. With a very high fruit to foliage ratio, determinates, while incredibly productive, for the most part lack the intense, complex flavors of indeterminate varieties. In addition, the choice of colors, sizes and shapes is quite limited when compared with the indeterminate selections.
Dwarf varieties, prior to this project, are relatively rare, unknown and undeveloped as a group. Appearing quite distinct in all growth phases – from seeding to mature plant – they behave as if they are very compact indeterminate varieties in the manner that they fruit, persevere until frost, and exhibit flavors that in many cases can approach the best of the indeterminate varieties, due to similar foliage to fruit ratios. There is some variation in height throughout the new dwarf varieties – some appearing to be more “determinate” than others. As young seedlings they are half the size of indeterminate or determinate seedlings right from the start. The central growing stem is particularly stout, and the foliage, which can be either regular or potato leaf, tends to be a darker bluish green and have a puckered, wrinkled characteristic that is known as “rugose”. Though the yields of dwarfs will never approach that of indeterminate varieties, the ability to plant them much more closely or grow in as little as 5 gallon pots are adequate compensation. What we are producing in this project is a color, size and shape range that will allow those who are space constrained to experience the nature of many of the well known heirloom types, but in a growth habit that is much easier to manage. We are excited about what we are creating, and are anxious, as well as finally ready, to share the very best of these with gardeners. We invite feedback – there is always a chance that you will not get exactly what is described or expected, and all of these, while quite stable, are still in a way works in progress. We hope to have created a set of non-hybrid varieties that will make gardening interesting for you, as well as provide what will be considered valuable heirloom varieties at some point in the distant future!
Some of the new Dwarf varieties can be found at Victory Seeds, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Tatiana's TOMATO Base, Sample Seed Shop, Glecklers, Sandhill Preservation, and Heritage Tomato Seeds.
Here is our release list:
2010 Releases (9)
Dwarf Jade Beauty - 70 days from transplant - first offered to the public in 2010 by Sandhill Preservation. Developed from a cross made by Patrina between Golden Dwarf Champion and Green Giant (the hybrid was named Sneezy). I grew out vial 2820, F9 seed which I got from Reinhard Kraft and is the CV seed source. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Indeterminate potato leaf dwarf, more "vertical" and rugose than Jade Beauty, first ripe fruit in 67 days, plant still healthy and producing. Yield moderate (wasn't in the best location, partially shaded). Fruit is perfectly round and consistently 3 ounces, smooth, green with a very pale pink blossom end when very ripe. Flavor balanced and very good, consistent 7.5 out of 10. This performed as expected. I am saving F10 seed as vial 11-23.
Dwarf Beryl Beauty - 70 days - first offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds. I grew out vial 2812, F9 seed, which I got from Bill Minkey and is the CV seed source. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Indeterminate potato leaf dwarf, foliage not as rugose as Jade Beauty and plant a bit more spreading, first ripe fruit in 85 days, which is a bit late - it was pretty much shaded and heat aborted the first cluster. Plant is still healthy and now starting to produce well. Yield moderate, fruit perfectly round and consistently in the 3-5 ounce range, a bit larger than Jade Beauty, smooth, green with a pale pink blossom end. Flavor balanced and excellent, around 8 out of 10. This performed as expected - am saving F10 seed as vial 11-25.
Dwarf Emerald Giant - 75 days - first offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds. I grew out vial 2818, F8 seed which I got from Bill Minkey and is the CV seed source - as well as vial 3040, F8 seed which I got from Suze. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Indeterminate potato leaf dwarf, first ripe fruit in 77 days and 69 days for the two plantings (77 days for the plant a bit more shaded). Plants are still healthy and producing well. Yield very good, fruit are oblate but smooth and quite regular, in the 8 - 12 ounce range with a few larger, green with just a hint of pale pink blush on the blossom end of some fruit. Flavor is balanced and excellent, in the 8 out of 10 range. This exceeded my flavor expectations - it is really a great tomato and a worthy alternative to Green Giant in terms of getting the same eating experience, fruit size and color in an easier to maintain plant. F9 seed is saved in vials 11-24 and 11-146. My feeling is that the two are essentially identical.
Summertime Green - 75 days - First offered to the public in 2010 by Tomato Growers Supply. I grew out vial 2817, F9 seed which I got from Bill Minkey and is one of the CV seed sources - as well as vial 2821, F9 seed which I got from Reinhard Kraft and is also one of the CV seed sources, and 3038, F9 seed from Suze. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Indeterminate regular leaf dwarf, first ripe fruit in 74 days and 66 days for the two plantings (74 days for the plant a bit more shaded); no ripe fruit yet from 3038, as the first planting died due to wilt and was replaced. Plants are still healthy and producing well. Yield very good, fruit are oblate but smooth and quite regular, in the 8 - 12 ounce range with a few larger, green with just a hint of pale pink blush on the blossom end of some fruit. The fruit shape can be a bit more irregular and lobed than Dwarf Emerald Giant this year. Flavor is balanced and excellent in the 8 out of 10 range. This matched my flavor expectations - it is really a great tomato and a worthy alternative to Aunt Ruby's German Green in terms of getting the same eating experience, fruit size and color in an easier to maintain plant. F10 seed is saved in vials 11-42 and 11-137. My feeling is that the two I've tasted are essentially identical, and assume the same will be true for the third.
Rosella Purple - 65 days - first offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds. I grew out vial 2814, F8 seed which I got from Bill Minkey and is the CV seed source - as well as vial 2822, F8 seed which I got from Reinhard Kraft and is also a CV seed source, 2826, F8 seed from ddsack as the one with the closest description of her growouts, and 3039, F8 seed from Suze . Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Semi-determinate regular leaf dwarf, first ripe fruit in 65, 88, 67 and 58 days respectively - the shorter length with the best location and longest day with the worst. Two of the plants are still healthy and producing well, and two others are now struggling but still alive. Yield very good, fruit are oblate but smooth and quite regular, in the 6 - 10 ounce range with a few larger, a nice rich deep purple exterior and rich crimson interior, small seed locules. Flavor is balanced and excellent, with some in the 9 out of 10 range, amongst the best tomatoes we've tasted this year and pretty much equal to Cherokee Purple. This exceeded my flavor expectations - it is really a great tomato and a worthy alternative to Cherokee Purple in terms of getting the same eating experience, fruit size and color in an easier to maintain plant. F9 seed is saved in vials 11-32, 11-29, 11-33 and 11-151. The plants that were in the same general locations performed pretty much identically - my feeling is that all four of these selections are pretty much the same. It will be interesting to see how this one performs for people, since I think the variety may be a bit more sensitive to climate/conditions than the Sneezy family varieties.
Tasmanian Chocolate - 65 days - First offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds. I grew out vial 2813, F6 seed which I got from Reinhard Kraft and is the CV seed source. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Semi -determinate regular leaf dwarf, first ripe fruit in 60 days, but got something akin to Tomato Spotted Wilt - stunted and killed the plant after one large, nice fruit. Yield could not be judged because of this, but typically is a heavy yielder. Fruit was oblate and 7 ounces and brown (a yellow skinned black variety). Flavor balanced and very good, best example I've tasted, and came in at 7.5. This performed better in the flavor department, though the early demise was a disappointment. I saved F7 seed as vial 11-34. I also grew out F6 selection vial 2852, grown by Paul Fish in 2010. This plant did much better performance wise and is still pretty healthy and producing fruit. Fruits tend to be oblate, at around 6 ounces, and brown in color, with the same good flavor, at 7.5. F7 seeds are saved as 11-136. I consider these to be essentially the same. This is a good variety to get out as a medium to medium large, oblate brown tomato, with its main questions being disease tolerance. There are better flavored brown tomatoes coming along, but I anxiously await hearing how customers liked this one.
Summertime Gold - 80 days - First offered to the public in 2010 by Sandhill Preservation. I grew out vial 2816, F8 seed which I got from Bill Minkey and is one of the CV seed sources - as well as vial 3035, F9 seed from Suze. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Indeterminate potato leaf dwarf, first ripe fruit in 83 days and 69 days for the two plantings (83 days for the plant a bit more shaded). Plants are still healthy and producing well. Yield very good to excellent, fruit are oblate but smooth and quite regular, in the 6-8 ounce range with a few larger, pale nearly waxy yellow with a hint of pale pink blush on the blossom end of some fruit which darkens on sitting on the shelf. Flavor is balanced and excellent in the 8 out of 10 range, with sweetness predominating, but the flavor is quit intense, not mild - there are small seed cavities sprinkled throughout and the seeds are small. This matched my flavor expectations - it is really a great tomato.
My concern is that the color seemed a bit lighter than expected - nearly as pale as Dwarf Mr. Snow - and the fruit a bit smaller. F9 seed is saved in vials 11-30, and F10 seed in 11-150. My feeling is that the two I've tasted are essentially identical - the only thing left to do is do a comparative grow out with Lee's possibly larger fruited selection - this was undertaken in 2012 and there is now a more representative lead to take forward - current estimate is a re-release of Summertime Gold in 2013.
Dwarf Mr. Snow - 80 days - First offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds. I grew out vial 2819, F7 seed which I got from Bill Minkey and is one of the CV seed sources - as well as vial 3041, F7 seed which I got from Suze. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Indeterminate potato leaf dwarf, first ripe fruit in 82 days and 68 days for the two plantings (82 days for the plant a bit more shaded). Plants are still healthy and producing well. Yield very good, fruit are oblate but smooth and quite regular, in the 6-8 ounce range with a few larger, ivory with a pale pink blush on the blossom end of some fruit for 2819, and smooth, medium green for 3041, which is a surprise! Flavor is just outstanding - balanced, intense, in the 8.5 out of 10 range. This matched my flavor expectations - it is really a great tomato - both in the expected white, and surprising green colored fruit. F8 see of the expected white is saved in vial 11-31 and the green in vial 11-149. It may be well worth working on stabilizing the green - perhaps we can call it Dwarf Mr. Green Genes!
Dwarf Wild Fred - 70 days - First offered to the public in 2010 by Tomato Growers Supply. I grew out vial 2815, F7 seed which I got from Bill Minkey and is the CV seed source. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Indeterminate regular leaf dwarf, first ripe fruit in 66 days. Plant succumbed to wilt a few weeks ago and has been pulled. Yield was fair, but fruit set was good and if it hadn't become sick would have yielded well. Fruit are oblate, smooth and a bit irregular, in the 8-10 ounce range with a few larger, and a nice even purple. Flavor was balanced and excellent in the 8 out of 10 range. This exceeded my flavor expectations; though not quite in the same category as Rosella Purple, it is a fine variety. The F8 seed is saved in vials 11-35.
colors - green - 4; purple - 2, yellow - 1, brown - 1, white - 1
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2011 Releases (4)
Perth Pride - 65 days - first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase. Developed in the 2006-2011 by the members of the Dwarf Tomato Project from a cross between New Big Dwarf and Paul Robeson, made in 2006 by Patrina Nuske Small in Australia and named Happy. This tomato was selected and named by Tessa Millesse who lives in Perth, Western Australia. I grew out vial 2782, F5 seed to get the representative sample, F6 seed, 10-46, which was sent to Ted Maiden; he grew it out and this commercial sample, F7 vial 3132, was sent to Tatiana. Indeterminate regular leaf dwarf, mid season, fruit is perfectly round and ranges 3 - 5 ounces, smooth, purple color (like Cherokee Purple). Flavor is full and rich with a distinct refreshing tartness.
Iditarod Red - 60 days - first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase. Developed in the 2006-2011 by the members of the Dwarf Tomato Project from a cross between Budai Torpe and Black from Tula, made in 2006 by Patrina Nuske Small in Australia and named Grumpy. A selection grown by Richard Allen of Australia was sent to Sue Bailey of Alaska, who found and named Iditarod Red, after the world class dogsled race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. Early to mid season. Regular leaf, dark green rugose foliage, stout central stem. Fruit are smooth and round, with some showing a nippled blossom end, ranging from 3-4 ounces, and ripen to red (the color of Nepal or Aker's West Virginia). Flavor is well balanced and pleasant. The commercial sample was grown out by Ted from F6 vial 3060 - Ted's F7, in vial 3135, was sent to Tania.
Yukon Quest - 60 days - first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase. Developed in the 2006-2011 by the members of the Dwarf Tomato Project from a cross between Budai Torpe and Black from Tula, made in 2006 by Patrina Nuske Small in Australia and named Grumpy. A selection grown by Richard Allen of Australia was sent to Susan Bailey of Alaska, who found and named Yukon Quest. Early to mid season. Regular leaf, dark green rugose foliage, stout central stem, grows to 3 feet tall. Fruit are smooth and round to oblate, ranging from 3-6 ounces, and ripen pink (the color of Brandywine). Flavor is well balanced and pleasant. Ted grew out F6 seed, vial 3061, to provide the commercial material, F7, vial 3134, which was sent to Tatiana.
Sleeping Lady - 60 days - first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase. This new variety originated from a cross between Budai Torpe and Black from Tula, made in 2006 by Patrina Nuske Small in Australia and named Grumpy. The variety was selected and named after the Legend of the Sleeping Lady by Sherry Shiesl of Alaska. Early to mid season. Regular leaf, dark green rugose foliage, stout central stem, grows to 3' tall. Fruit are smooth and round to oblate, ranging from 3-6 ounces, and ripen to a chocolate/mahogany color (the color of Cherokee Chocolate or Paul Robeson). Flavor is well balanced and pleasant. Sleeping Lady seems to be particularly prolific in comparison with most of the other new Dwarf project varieties. Ted provided the commercial sample as F7 seeds, vial 3133, which was sent to Tania.
colors - purple - 1, red - 1, pink - 1, brown - 1
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2012 Releases (4)
Dwarf Kelly Green - 75 days - First offered to the public in 2012 by Remy's Sample Seed Shop (link to be provided once it is listed). Dwarf Kelly Green is a product of the Dwarf Tomato Project, originating in the Sneezy family (Golden Dwarf Champion X Green Giant, cross made by Patrina in 2005). The tomato originated as a selection of Barossa Fest 2 (which was selected and named by Patrina), found and named by Craig in 2007 after Sue's beloved uncle, Edward Kelly, who had recently passed away. Dwarf Kelly Green is an indeterminate regular leaf Dwarf that will reach from 4-5 feet tall by the end of the growing season, and produce nearly round green-fleshed, clear skinned fruit in the 3-6 ounce range. The fruit have a well balanced, full, delicious flavor. Dwarf Kelly Green seems to be quite disease tolerant and one of the more prolific of the new Dwarf varieties. Primary work on Dwarf Kelly Green was done by Craig, Patrina, and Michael Volk, with additional help from Lawrence Andris (Australia) and Sherry Long (Alaska). Ted Maiden did the finalizing work and seed propagation for release. Information on the Dwarf Tomato Project can be found on its own website - here - as well as Craig's website, here.
Dwarf Arctic Rose - 60 days - first offered to the public in 2012 by Jeff Casey's tomato seed company (link to be provided once it is listed). Developed between 2006-2012 by the members of the Dwarf Tomato Project from a cross between Budai Torpe and Black from Tula, made in 2006 by Patrina Nuske Small in Australia and named Grumpy. Sherry Shiesl and Susan Bailey of Alaska carried out the majority of the selection work on this new variety, which was named collaboratively by them in 2011. Early to mid season. Regular leaf, dark green rugose foliage, stout central stem, grows to 3 feet tall - relatively compact for a Dwarf project release. Fruit are smooth and round to oblate, ranging from 3-8 ounces, and ripen pink (clear skin, red interior). Flavor is well balanced and delicious. Ted Maiden grew out the F8 seed that will be sent to the vendor for release. Information on the Dwarf Tomato Project can be found on its own website - here - as well as Craig's website, here.
Dwarf Sweet Sue - 80 days - First offered to the public in 2012 by Heritage Tomato Seeds (link to be provided once it is listed). Dwarf Sweet Sue is a product of the Dwarf Tomato Project, originating in the Sneezy family (Golden Dwarf Champion X Green Giant, cross made by Patrina in 2005). The tomato originated as a selection of Summertime Gold 3 (which was selected and named by David Lockwood), found and named by Craig in 2007 after his wife, Susan (who loved the tomato and is very sweet!) Dwarf Sweet Sue is an indeterminate potato leaf Dwarf that will reach from 4-5 feet tall by the end of the growing season, and produced variably shaped (oblate to round), smooth, bright yellow fruit in the 5-10 ounce range, that take on a pronounced pink blossom end blush when very ripe. The fruit have a well balanced, full, delicious flavor with particularly sweet overtones. Dwarf Sweet Sue seems to be quite disease tolerant and one of the more prolific of the new Dwarf varieties. Primary work on Dwarf Sweet Sue was done by Craig, David, Patrina, Michael Volk, and Susan Anderson, with additional help from Russell Pietzch (Australia), Stephanie Gernert, Martha Hufford, Ruth TenBrink, Paul Fish, and Carol Knapp. Ted Maiden did the finalizing work and seed propagation for release. Information on the Dwarf Tomato Project can be found on its own website - here - as well as Craig's website, here.
Summer Sunrise - 80 days - First offered to the public in 2012 by Gleckler Seedsmen (link to be provided once it is listed). Summer Sunrise is a product of the Dwarf Tomato Project, originating in the Sneezy family (Golden Dwarf Champion X Green Giant, cross made by Patrina in 2005). The tomato originated as a selection of Summertime Gold 1 (selected and named by David Lockwood), found and named by David after some selection work carried out by he and Susan Anderson. Summer Sunrise is an indeterminate potato leaf Dwarf that will reach from 4-5 feet tall by the end of the growing season, and produce medium to medium large smooth oblate bright yellow fruit with a pronounced blossom end blush. Summer Sunrise is distinguished from the similar Summertime Gold by having larger seed locules, larger seed, a slightly more pronounced blush, and slightly different flavor nuances. The fruit of Summer Sunrise have a well balanced, full, delicious flavor. The plant seems to be quite disease tolerant and yields quite well throughout the season. Primary work on Summer Sunrise was done by David, Susan, Neil Lockhart and Justin Morse, with additional help from Craig. Ted Maiden did the finalizing work and seed propagation for release. Information on the Dwarf Tomato Project can be found on its own website - here - as well as Craig's website, here.
colors - green - 1, pink - 1, yellow - 2
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2014 releases (8)
Rosella Crimson - 70 days - first offered by Remy's Sample Seed Shop and Heritage Tomato Seeds (dual release) - early to midseason regular leaf Dwarf, producing medium to medium large oblate fruit that have clear skin and red flesh, hence are a pink variety. Vigorous and productive, the flavor is excellent to outstanding, in some seasons approaching Brandywine in quality. A member of the Sleep family (Budai X Stump of the World), Rosella Crimson is the collaborative work of primarily Patrina Nuske Small (who named it), Craig LeHoullier, Linda Black, Denise Sackett, Justin Morse, Bill Minkey, with input from many others.
Chocolate Champion - 70 days- first offered by Remy's Sample Seed Shop and Jeff Casey's Heirloom Seeds (dual release!) - midseason regular dwarf Dwarf producing medium to medium large oblate chocolate brown fruit and lots of them. The flavor is nicely balanced and very tasty, and both appearance and flavor resemble Cherokee Chocolate. A member of the Cheeky Dwarf family (Golden Dwarf Champion X Cherokee Chocolate), Chocolate Champion is the collaborative work of Patrina Nuske Small, Ray South (who named it), David Lockwood, Denise Bath, Bill Yoder, Mark Gladney, Ruth TenBrink, Craig LeHoullier and Bill Minkey.
Big Green Dwarf - 70 days - first offered by Heritage Tomato Seeds and Tatiana's TOMATObase (dual release) - midseason regular leaf Dwarf, producing medium to medium large oblate fruit that retain green flesh when ripe but develop an amber skin like Cherokee Green; nice, well balanced, medium intensity flavor. A member of the Cheeky Dwarf family (Golden Dwarf Champion X Cherokee Chocolate), Big Green Dwarf is the collaborative work of Patrina Nuske Small, Marjorie Holloway (who named it), Craig LeHoullier and Bill Minkey.
Wherokowhai - 75 days - first offered by Heritage Tomato Seeds and Tatiana's TOMATbase (co-launch) - midseason potato leaf Dwarf and our first bicolored offering, name pronounced "fer-dow-co-fi", a native New Zealand Maori word (the variety was named by New Zealand project member Richard Watson). The medium to medium large, oblate fruit are yellow with red swirls with an outstanding flavor, and can be considered a dwarf version of one of its parents, Lucky Cross. A member of the Dizzy family (Dwarf Russian Swirl, out of the Dopey family, X Lucky Cross), Wherokowhai is the collaborative work of Ray South, Richard Watson (who named it), Craig LeHoullier, Martha Hufford, Soren Linnemann, Lyn Rancourt, Patrina Nuske Small, Michael Volk, Bill Yoder, Doug Frank, Bill Minkey and Willa Osis.
Dwarf Blazing Beauty - 75 days - first offered by Heritage Tomato Seeds and Tatiana's TOMATbase (co-launch) - mid to late midseason; our first orange dwarf project release, produced on a vigorous potato leaf Dwarf plant. The fruit are medium to medium large, smooth oblate and a deep orange in and out. The flavor sparkles with an ample tart bite and is quite intense, resembling very much one of its parents, Elbe. A member of the Tipsy family (Golden Dwarf Champion X Elbe), Dwarf Blazing Beauty is the collaborative work of Patrina Nuske Small, Craig LeHoullier (who named it), John Schmuch, Amanda Fischer, Bill Yoder, Dee Sackett, Doug Frank, and Susan Oliverson
Boronia - 65 days - first offered by Heritage Tomato Seeds, Knapp's and Tatiana's TOMATbase (tri-launch!) - early midseason to midseason, regular leaf Dwarf producing lots of medium to medium large, oblate purple fruit with a delicious, intense flavor that in some seasons approaches Cherokee Purple in quality. A member of the Happy family (New Big Dwarf X Paul Robeson), Boronia is the collaborative work of Patrina Nuske Small (who named it), Gina McDermott, Tanya Kucak, David Lockwood, Craig LeHoullier, Sherry Shiesl, Carol Knapp, Michael Volk and Bill Minkey.
Sean's Yellow Dwarf - 65 days - first offered by Tania's TOMATObase - early-mid season regular leaf Dwarf producing lots of smooth medium sized oblate bright yellow fruit with a very pale yellow interior, with a refreshing, bright delicious flavor. A member of the Witty family (Budai X Cherokee Green), Sean's Yellow Dwarf is the collaborative work of Patrina Nuske Small, Lee Newman (who named it after his friend, Sean, in whose garden it first appeared), Linda Stormes, Ginny Bishton, Ruth TenBrink and Craig LeHoullier.
Sweet Adelaide - 70 days - first offered by Jeff Casey's heirloom seed company and Sample Seed Shop (dual release) - midseason regular leaf Dwarf, producing medium to medium large oblate pink fruit with a balanced, delicious flavor. It is a vigorous and productive variety that makes a wonderful slicing tomato. A member of the Happy family (New Big Dwarf X Paul Robeson), Sweet Adelaide is the collaborative work of Patrina Nuske Small (who named it), Jeff Casey, Craig LeHoullier, David Lockwood, Lurley Hernandez, Ted Maiden, Doug Frank, Damon Huck,Tanya Kucak, and Bill Minkey, with input from many others.
colors - brown - 1, yellow - 1, bicolor - 1, purple - 1, orange - 1, green - 1, pink - 2
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2014/2015 releases (11)
Dwarf Pink Passion - 65 days - coming soon from Remy's Sample Seed Shop and Tatiana's TOMATO base (double launch). This variety originated with a cross between Anna Banana Russian and Roza Vetrov made by Patrina Nuske Small and named Nosey. Dwarf Pink Passion was selected and named by Linda Black. The vigorous dwarf regular leaf plants produce a heavy yield of medium sized (4-6 ounces) strongly heart shaped pink fruit with a delightful, balanced, sweet flavor. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Linda, Charlotte Burk, Sherry Long, Paul Anguiano, Amanda Fischer, Jessica Dubin, Dan Follett, Gina McDermott, and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
- medium sized strong heart shaped pink, nice sweet flavor, very prolific, quite early. From the Nosey line.
Chocolate Lightning - 80 days - coming soon from Victory Seeds, Tatiana's TOMATO base and Remy's Sample Seed Shop (triple launch). This variety originated with a cross between Dwarf Wild Fred and Beauty King made by Vince Lavallo and named Beauty. Chocolate Lightning was selected and named by Vince. The vigorous dwarf regular leaf plants are among the taller growing of the new dwarf varieties. The plants produce excellent yields of medium sized (4-8 ounce) smooth, slightly oblate chocolate colored tomatoes with jagged green and gold stripes. The rich crimson flesh has the intense flavor of black tomatoes, with great balance. The Beauty line is very complex and a few surprises could result when growing this variety, with stripes of different colors. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Robin Bort, Susan Oliverson, Lisa Moore, Patrick Sullivan, Bill Yoder, Roberto, Caro del Castillo, Desire Sommers, Jenna D’Amore, and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Uluru Ochre - 65 days - coming soon from Tatiana's TOMATO Base and Remy's Sample Seed shop (double launch). This variety originated with a cross between Orange Heirloom and Rosella Purple made by Patrina Nuske Small and named Rosy. Uluru Ochre was selected and named by Patrina. The vigorous dwarf regular leaf plants are relatively compact, quite early to produce and prolific. Producing a good yield of medium to medium to large sized (6-12 ounces) oblate uniquely colored tomatoes that are essentially the first "black/orange" we've seen - orange flesh with green overtones, and somewhat amber/orange/green in appearance when whole. The flavor can be a bit variable season to season, but at it's best, is absolutely delicious. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Patrina, Patrick Sullivan, Steve McClaren, Linda Black, Marla McClaren, Ted Maiden, Paul Fish, Lurley Hernandez, Dee Sackett, Ginny Bishton, Sue Bailey, Lisa Moore, Sherry Shiesl, Simone Pennig, Amanda Fischer, Sandra Tipton and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Sweet Scarlet Dwarf - 75 days - coming soon from Heritage Tomato Seed. This variety originated with a cross between Elbe and Golden Dwarf Champion made by Patrina Nuske Small and named Tipsy. Sweet Scarlet Dwarf was selected and named by Craig LeHoullier. The vigorous dwarf potato leaf plants produce a heavy yield of medium to medium large sized (6-16 ounces) oblate, smooth red fruit, possessing a superb, intense, complex flavor – one of the very best flavored of all of the new Dwarf varieties. Due to the challenge of stabilizing the dominant color (red), don’t be surprised if you find an occasional plant producing yellow or orange fruit; be sure to try them, because they will likely be just as delicious. (Dwarf Blazing Beauty is the orange release from this line, and the yellow, Dwarf Golden Gypsy, is on the way soon!). Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Jon Schmuck, Susan Oliverson, Michael Volk, Susan Barber, Patrina Nuske Small, Steve McClaren, Marla McClaren, Dee Sackett, Scott Stough, Ginny Bishton, Wendy Montanez, Amanda Fischer, Linda Black, Bobby Whicker, Kathy Wolfe, Paul Fish, and Kay Robbins. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Fred's Tie Dye - 75 days - coming soon from Tatiana's TOMATO Base and Remy's Sample Seed Shop (double launch). This variety originated with a cross between Dwarf Wild Fred and Pink Berkeley Tie Dye made by Vince Lavallo and named Messy. Fred’s Tie Dye was selected and named by Vince. The vigorous dwarf regular leaf plants are among the taller growing of the dwarfs. Producing a good yield of medium to medium sized (5-6 ounce average) round purple tomatoes with jagged gold and green stripes and the deep crimson flesh of black tomatoes, Fred’s Tie Dye has a rich, intense, balanced flavor. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Vince Lavallo, Lyne Rancourt, Ted Maiden, Lisa Moore, Connie Dockler, Richard Watson, Gina McDermott, Bill Yoder, Simone Pennig, Scott Stough, Donna Marie Kudrak, Marsha Eisenberg, Antoniette Koshykar, and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Dwarf Purple Heart - 70 days - coming soon from Remy's Sample Seed Shop, Victory Seeds and Tatiana's TOMATO base (triple launch). This variety originated with a cross between Dwarf Wild Fred and Brad’s Black Heart made by Vince Lavallo and named Porky. Dwarf Purple Heart was selected and named by Vince. The vigorous dwarf regular leaf plants are among the most spreading and branching of the dwarf varieties. Producing heavy yields of medium to medium large sized (6-16 ounces) heart shaped purple tomatoes, Dwarf Purple Heart has delicious deep crimson flesh with a well-balanced flavor. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Linda Black, Patrina Nuske Small, Amanda Fischer, Robbins Hail , Lisa Moore, Lurley Hernandez, Paul Fish, Kenny Jacobs, Stuart Pollack, Jessica Dubin, John Graham, Stephanie McVeigh, Antoniette Koshykar, and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Banksia Queen - 80 days - coming soon from Victory Seeds. This variety originated with a cross between Elbe and Golden Dwarf Champion made by Patrina Nuske Small and named Tipsy. Banksia was selected and named by Patrina Nuske Small. The vigorous dwarf regular leaf plants are among the taller growing of the dwarfs. Producing a good yield of medium to medium large sized (6-12 ounces) oblate bright yellow tomatoes, with occasional lobing, Banksia Queen has delicious juicy pale yellow flesh with a good balance of sweet and tart. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Patrina, Jon Schmuck, Gary Woods, Susan Oliverson, Bill Yoger, Susan Dzejachok, Danny Lee Turner, Shawn Connant, and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Summer Sweet Gold - 80 days - (what this really is, is Summertime Gold reselected or improved, but to avoid confusion, it is getting a distinct name) - coming soon from Heritage Tomato Seeds. The original release of Summertime Gold showed too much of a similarity to Dwarf Mr. Snow, likely due to some lingering segregation of genes. Selection work carried out by Craig LeHoullier and Lee Newman resulted in this improved version, which we are naming Summer Sweet Gold, which is exactly what we hoped for with the original release of Summertime Gold. One of the best flavored of all of the dwarfs, the plentiful medium large (most in the 6-10 ounce range), smooth oblate fruit are produced on vigorous potato leaf Dwarf plants. The medium yellow tomatoes, often showing a pale pink blossom end blush, have an intense, wonderful and memorable flavor. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Dwarf Golden Heart - 70 days - coming soon from Remy's Sample Seed Shop. This variety originated with a cross between Anna Banana Russian and Roza Vetrov made by Patrina Nuske Small and named Nosey. Dwarf Golden Heart was selected and named by Linda Black. The vigorous dwarf regular leaf plants produce a heavy yield of medium to medium large sized (4-10 ounces) blunt heart shaped medium yellow fruit with a more pale colored flesh, possessing a delightful, balanced, sweet flavor. Dwarf Golden Heart was selected and named by Linda Black. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Lurley Hernandez, Christy Shedd, Dan Follett, Jason Ford, Paul Fish, Linda Stormes and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Bundaberg Rumball - 60 days - coming soon from Tatiana's TOMATO Base. This variety originated with a cross between Black from Tula and Budai made by Patrina Nuske Small and named Grumpy. Bundaberg Rumball was selected and named by Richard Allen. The vigorous but relatively compact dwarf regular leaf plants produce a heavy yield of medium to medium small sized (2-3 ounces) round chocolate colored fruit with delightful, balanced, sweet flavor. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Patrina, Howard Kushner, Carol Knapp, Ted Maiden, Christy Shedd, Amanda Fischer and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Sarandipity - 65 days - coming soon from Victory Seeds. This variety originated with a cross between Black Zebra and a pink selection of the Cheeky family, made by Ray South and named Streaky (Cheeky’s lineage is Golden Dwarf Champion crossed with Cherokee Chocolate by Patrina Nuske Small – this is therefore quite a complex lineage). Sarandipity was selected and named by Craig LeHoullier after his daughter Sara. The vigorous, relatively compact dwarf regular leaf plants produce a heavy yield of medium to medium small sized (2-4 ounce) round chocolate fruit with vertical green stripes. The firm deep crimson flesh is mild and sweet, and the productivity and fruit size and texture make this a great canning or grilling variety. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety areTessa Millesse, Paul Fish, Susan Oliverson, Ginny Bishton, Patrina Nuske Small, Amanda Fischer, Marla McClaren, Ginger Eisenberg, Carol Knapp, and Jason Ford. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
There are some double and triple releases due to the quantity of seeds - see above!
Finally – an opportunity for space-challenged gardeners to experience the different colors and delicious flavors that were previously only available in tall growing (indeterminate) heirlooms!
First, a bit of history….back in 2005, Craig LeHoullier (aka nctomatoman) of Raleigh, NC, long time heirloom tomato enthusiast and SSE member, discussed an idea with Patrina Nuske-Small of Australia on the popular garden site Garden Web. Craig and his wife, Susan, have been selling tomato seedlings at the local farmer’s market for years, and a frequent request was for delicious, unusual tomato varieties that would do well when grown on decks or patios, in reasonably sized containers. Though his customers loved the big fruited, differently colored heirlooms, the tall vines proved to be quite a challenge for many of them.
Craig, through his seed collecting, was aware of a very few so-called dwarf growing varieties, distinct from the determinate types (which were also relatively compact) in that the flavor seemed in general to be better in the dwarfs. These dwarf types are very distinctive in having a thick central stem, stout compact growth, and dark green, crinkly looking (so-called rugose) foliage.
Craig also collects old seed catalogs to satisfy his interest in the historical development of tomatoes in the United States, and noted in his collection a 1915 catalog from the Isbell Seed Company a listing for New Big Dwarf. What caught Craig’s eye was that the creation of New Big Dwarf was clearly described. This involved a cross of a known medium sized pink fruited dwarf, Dwarf Champion (well known from the late 1800s), with the largest tomato known at that time, Ponderosa. Following the cross and a few generations of selection, a new variety was born – New Big Dwarf – which had the compact growth of Dwarf Champion, but the large fruit size of Ponderosa.
Realizing that through their Garden Web chats Patrina (also an avid heirloom tomato grower) was also skillful at carrying out crosses, Craig explained the Isbell Seed Company listing to Patrina. It was clear that the approach Isbell used was successful, yet strangely never further explored to create a range of new dwarf growing varieties with large fruit, in different colors. So Craig and Patrina described a project in which some strategic crosses would be made, the resulting new hybrids grown out, then seeds shared for work on selection of promising new varieties, followed by several generations to reach a stable new non-hybrid variety with the desired characteristics.
Around that same time, a new tomato chat website emerged, Tomatoville, which provided both a structure for tracking the project, as well as a magnet for the kind of extreme tomato enthusiasts who could make up a perfect volunteer team to take this new project forward. Craig set about to gather volunteers in the US and Canada, and Patrina in Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. By working the project across hemispheres, two growing seasons could be achieved in one calendar year, thus reducing the new tomato variety development time by half.
So, armed with more than 100 willing volunteers, the project set off with the first crosses being grown out in 2006. As of this time, over 40 interesting crosses have been made by Patrina and others, resulting in dozens and dozens of possible color, size and shape combinations. Craig and Patrina are quite sure that this is the very first all volunteer world-wide tomato breeding project in documented gardening history. None involved are botanists or horticulturists – just avid gardeners with a keen interest in learning about tomato genetics or discovering interesting new tomatoes.
What you will find in this catalog are a few of the very first tomatoes made available from this project, which carries on very actively today (and will for the foreseeable future!). Craig selected four seed companies (Tomato Growers Supply Company, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Sandhill Preservation, and Victory Seeds) to introduce small quantities of a few of the new dwarf varieties each.
None of those involved with the project receive any payment for the development of these new varieties – it is just the fulfillment of a passion to create what will hopefully end up being considered heirloom tomato varieties many years from now – a donation to the tomato gene pool, and to those space-challenged gardeners the world over. Full descriptions of the varieties used and volunteers involved in the development will be given for each new variety.
A brief note about Dwarf varieties:
The vast majority of tomato varieties are Indeterminate in growth habit. Think Cherokee Purple or Better Boy or Sungold to get a picture of how indeterminate varieties behave. They are the varieties that need staking, caging, or plenty of room to sprawl. If diseases don’t get to them first, indeterminate varieties grow and bear fruit from planting until they are killed by frost. Though most of the true treasures of the tomato world are indeterminate in growth habit, including most heirloom types, they are a challenge to grow in terms of dealing with the rampant growth of the vines.
Determinate varieties are familiar to tomato growers who have tried Roma, Sophie’s Choice or Taxi. The foliage is indistinguishable from indeterminate types, but the plants (which should never be pruned) reach a particular height and spread, bear loads of fruit (which tend to ripen in a concentrated time period), then die off. With a very high fruit to foliage ratio, determinates, while incredibly productive, for the most part lack the intense, complex flavors of indeterminate varieties. In addition, the choice of colors, sizes and shapes is quite limited when compared with the indeterminate selections.
Dwarf varieties, prior to this project, are relatively rare, unknown and undeveloped as a group. Appearing quite distinct in all growth phases – from seeding to mature plant – they behave as if they are very compact indeterminate varieties in the manner that they fruit, persevere until frost, and exhibit flavors that in many cases can approach the best of the indeterminate varieties, due to similar foliage to fruit ratios. There is some variation in height throughout the new dwarf varieties – some appearing to be more “determinate” than others. As young seedlings they are half the size of indeterminate or determinate seedlings right from the start. The central growing stem is particularly stout, and the foliage, which can be either regular or potato leaf, tends to be a darker bluish green and have a puckered, wrinkled characteristic that is known as “rugose”. Though the yields of dwarfs will never approach that of indeterminate varieties, the ability to plant them much more closely or grow in as little as 5 gallon pots are adequate compensation. What we are producing in this project is a color, size and shape range that will allow those who are space constrained to experience the nature of many of the well known heirloom types, but in a growth habit that is much easier to manage. We are excited about what we are creating, and are anxious, as well as finally ready, to share the very best of these with gardeners. We invite feedback – there is always a chance that you will not get exactly what is described or expected, and all of these, while quite stable, are still in a way works in progress. We hope to have created a set of non-hybrid varieties that will make gardening interesting for you, as well as provide what will be considered valuable heirloom varieties at some point in the distant future!
Some of the new Dwarf varieties can be found at Victory Seeds, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Tatiana's TOMATO Base, Sample Seed Shop, Glecklers, Sandhill Preservation, and Heritage Tomato Seeds.
Here is our release list:
2010 Releases (9)
Dwarf Jade Beauty - 70 days from transplant - first offered to the public in 2010 by Sandhill Preservation. Developed from a cross made by Patrina between Golden Dwarf Champion and Green Giant (the hybrid was named Sneezy). I grew out vial 2820, F9 seed which I got from Reinhard Kraft and is the CV seed source. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Indeterminate potato leaf dwarf, more "vertical" and rugose than Jade Beauty, first ripe fruit in 67 days, plant still healthy and producing. Yield moderate (wasn't in the best location, partially shaded). Fruit is perfectly round and consistently 3 ounces, smooth, green with a very pale pink blossom end when very ripe. Flavor balanced and very good, consistent 7.5 out of 10. This performed as expected. I am saving F10 seed as vial 11-23.
Dwarf Beryl Beauty - 70 days - first offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds. I grew out vial 2812, F9 seed, which I got from Bill Minkey and is the CV seed source. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Indeterminate potato leaf dwarf, foliage not as rugose as Jade Beauty and plant a bit more spreading, first ripe fruit in 85 days, which is a bit late - it was pretty much shaded and heat aborted the first cluster. Plant is still healthy and now starting to produce well. Yield moderate, fruit perfectly round and consistently in the 3-5 ounce range, a bit larger than Jade Beauty, smooth, green with a pale pink blossom end. Flavor balanced and excellent, around 8 out of 10. This performed as expected - am saving F10 seed as vial 11-25.
Dwarf Emerald Giant - 75 days - first offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds. I grew out vial 2818, F8 seed which I got from Bill Minkey and is the CV seed source - as well as vial 3040, F8 seed which I got from Suze. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Indeterminate potato leaf dwarf, first ripe fruit in 77 days and 69 days for the two plantings (77 days for the plant a bit more shaded). Plants are still healthy and producing well. Yield very good, fruit are oblate but smooth and quite regular, in the 8 - 12 ounce range with a few larger, green with just a hint of pale pink blush on the blossom end of some fruit. Flavor is balanced and excellent, in the 8 out of 10 range. This exceeded my flavor expectations - it is really a great tomato and a worthy alternative to Green Giant in terms of getting the same eating experience, fruit size and color in an easier to maintain plant. F9 seed is saved in vials 11-24 and 11-146. My feeling is that the two are essentially identical.
Summertime Green - 75 days - First offered to the public in 2010 by Tomato Growers Supply. I grew out vial 2817, F9 seed which I got from Bill Minkey and is one of the CV seed sources - as well as vial 2821, F9 seed which I got from Reinhard Kraft and is also one of the CV seed sources, and 3038, F9 seed from Suze. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Indeterminate regular leaf dwarf, first ripe fruit in 74 days and 66 days for the two plantings (74 days for the plant a bit more shaded); no ripe fruit yet from 3038, as the first planting died due to wilt and was replaced. Plants are still healthy and producing well. Yield very good, fruit are oblate but smooth and quite regular, in the 8 - 12 ounce range with a few larger, green with just a hint of pale pink blush on the blossom end of some fruit. The fruit shape can be a bit more irregular and lobed than Dwarf Emerald Giant this year. Flavor is balanced and excellent in the 8 out of 10 range. This matched my flavor expectations - it is really a great tomato and a worthy alternative to Aunt Ruby's German Green in terms of getting the same eating experience, fruit size and color in an easier to maintain plant. F10 seed is saved in vials 11-42 and 11-137. My feeling is that the two I've tasted are essentially identical, and assume the same will be true for the third.
Rosella Purple - 65 days - first offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds. I grew out vial 2814, F8 seed which I got from Bill Minkey and is the CV seed source - as well as vial 2822, F8 seed which I got from Reinhard Kraft and is also a CV seed source, 2826, F8 seed from ddsack as the one with the closest description of her growouts, and 3039, F8 seed from Suze . Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Semi-determinate regular leaf dwarf, first ripe fruit in 65, 88, 67 and 58 days respectively - the shorter length with the best location and longest day with the worst. Two of the plants are still healthy and producing well, and two others are now struggling but still alive. Yield very good, fruit are oblate but smooth and quite regular, in the 6 - 10 ounce range with a few larger, a nice rich deep purple exterior and rich crimson interior, small seed locules. Flavor is balanced and excellent, with some in the 9 out of 10 range, amongst the best tomatoes we've tasted this year and pretty much equal to Cherokee Purple. This exceeded my flavor expectations - it is really a great tomato and a worthy alternative to Cherokee Purple in terms of getting the same eating experience, fruit size and color in an easier to maintain plant. F9 seed is saved in vials 11-32, 11-29, 11-33 and 11-151. The plants that were in the same general locations performed pretty much identically - my feeling is that all four of these selections are pretty much the same. It will be interesting to see how this one performs for people, since I think the variety may be a bit more sensitive to climate/conditions than the Sneezy family varieties.
Tasmanian Chocolate - 65 days - First offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds. I grew out vial 2813, F6 seed which I got from Reinhard Kraft and is the CV seed source. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Semi -determinate regular leaf dwarf, first ripe fruit in 60 days, but got something akin to Tomato Spotted Wilt - stunted and killed the plant after one large, nice fruit. Yield could not be judged because of this, but typically is a heavy yielder. Fruit was oblate and 7 ounces and brown (a yellow skinned black variety). Flavor balanced and very good, best example I've tasted, and came in at 7.5. This performed better in the flavor department, though the early demise was a disappointment. I saved F7 seed as vial 11-34. I also grew out F6 selection vial 2852, grown by Paul Fish in 2010. This plant did much better performance wise and is still pretty healthy and producing fruit. Fruits tend to be oblate, at around 6 ounces, and brown in color, with the same good flavor, at 7.5. F7 seeds are saved as 11-136. I consider these to be essentially the same. This is a good variety to get out as a medium to medium large, oblate brown tomato, with its main questions being disease tolerance. There are better flavored brown tomatoes coming along, but I anxiously await hearing how customers liked this one.
Summertime Gold - 80 days - First offered to the public in 2010 by Sandhill Preservation. I grew out vial 2816, F8 seed which I got from Bill Minkey and is one of the CV seed sources - as well as vial 3035, F9 seed from Suze. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Indeterminate potato leaf dwarf, first ripe fruit in 83 days and 69 days for the two plantings (83 days for the plant a bit more shaded). Plants are still healthy and producing well. Yield very good to excellent, fruit are oblate but smooth and quite regular, in the 6-8 ounce range with a few larger, pale nearly waxy yellow with a hint of pale pink blush on the blossom end of some fruit which darkens on sitting on the shelf. Flavor is balanced and excellent in the 8 out of 10 range, with sweetness predominating, but the flavor is quit intense, not mild - there are small seed cavities sprinkled throughout and the seeds are small. This matched my flavor expectations - it is really a great tomato.
My concern is that the color seemed a bit lighter than expected - nearly as pale as Dwarf Mr. Snow - and the fruit a bit smaller. F9 seed is saved in vials 11-30, and F10 seed in 11-150. My feeling is that the two I've tasted are essentially identical - the only thing left to do is do a comparative grow out with Lee's possibly larger fruited selection - this was undertaken in 2012 and there is now a more representative lead to take forward - current estimate is a re-release of Summertime Gold in 2013.
Dwarf Mr. Snow - 80 days - First offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds. I grew out vial 2819, F7 seed which I got from Bill Minkey and is one of the CV seed sources - as well as vial 3041, F7 seed which I got from Suze. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Indeterminate potato leaf dwarf, first ripe fruit in 82 days and 68 days for the two plantings (82 days for the plant a bit more shaded). Plants are still healthy and producing well. Yield very good, fruit are oblate but smooth and quite regular, in the 6-8 ounce range with a few larger, ivory with a pale pink blush on the blossom end of some fruit for 2819, and smooth, medium green for 3041, which is a surprise! Flavor is just outstanding - balanced, intense, in the 8.5 out of 10 range. This matched my flavor expectations - it is really a great tomato - both in the expected white, and surprising green colored fruit. F8 see of the expected white is saved in vial 11-31 and the green in vial 11-149. It may be well worth working on stabilizing the green - perhaps we can call it Dwarf Mr. Green Genes!
Dwarf Wild Fred - 70 days - First offered to the public in 2010 by Tomato Growers Supply. I grew out vial 2815, F7 seed which I got from Bill Minkey and is the CV seed source. Plant habit and leaf shape as expected - Indeterminate regular leaf dwarf, first ripe fruit in 66 days. Plant succumbed to wilt a few weeks ago and has been pulled. Yield was fair, but fruit set was good and if it hadn't become sick would have yielded well. Fruit are oblate, smooth and a bit irregular, in the 8-10 ounce range with a few larger, and a nice even purple. Flavor was balanced and excellent in the 8 out of 10 range. This exceeded my flavor expectations; though not quite in the same category as Rosella Purple, it is a fine variety. The F8 seed is saved in vials 11-35.
colors - green - 4; purple - 2, yellow - 1, brown - 1, white - 1
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2011 Releases (4)
Perth Pride - 65 days - first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase. Developed in the 2006-2011 by the members of the Dwarf Tomato Project from a cross between New Big Dwarf and Paul Robeson, made in 2006 by Patrina Nuske Small in Australia and named Happy. This tomato was selected and named by Tessa Millesse who lives in Perth, Western Australia. I grew out vial 2782, F5 seed to get the representative sample, F6 seed, 10-46, which was sent to Ted Maiden; he grew it out and this commercial sample, F7 vial 3132, was sent to Tatiana. Indeterminate regular leaf dwarf, mid season, fruit is perfectly round and ranges 3 - 5 ounces, smooth, purple color (like Cherokee Purple). Flavor is full and rich with a distinct refreshing tartness.
Iditarod Red - 60 days - first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase. Developed in the 2006-2011 by the members of the Dwarf Tomato Project from a cross between Budai Torpe and Black from Tula, made in 2006 by Patrina Nuske Small in Australia and named Grumpy. A selection grown by Richard Allen of Australia was sent to Sue Bailey of Alaska, who found and named Iditarod Red, after the world class dogsled race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. Early to mid season. Regular leaf, dark green rugose foliage, stout central stem. Fruit are smooth and round, with some showing a nippled blossom end, ranging from 3-4 ounces, and ripen to red (the color of Nepal or Aker's West Virginia). Flavor is well balanced and pleasant. The commercial sample was grown out by Ted from F6 vial 3060 - Ted's F7, in vial 3135, was sent to Tania.
Yukon Quest - 60 days - first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase. Developed in the 2006-2011 by the members of the Dwarf Tomato Project from a cross between Budai Torpe and Black from Tula, made in 2006 by Patrina Nuske Small in Australia and named Grumpy. A selection grown by Richard Allen of Australia was sent to Susan Bailey of Alaska, who found and named Yukon Quest. Early to mid season. Regular leaf, dark green rugose foliage, stout central stem, grows to 3 feet tall. Fruit are smooth and round to oblate, ranging from 3-6 ounces, and ripen pink (the color of Brandywine). Flavor is well balanced and pleasant. Ted grew out F6 seed, vial 3061, to provide the commercial material, F7, vial 3134, which was sent to Tatiana.
Sleeping Lady - 60 days - first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase. This new variety originated from a cross between Budai Torpe and Black from Tula, made in 2006 by Patrina Nuske Small in Australia and named Grumpy. The variety was selected and named after the Legend of the Sleeping Lady by Sherry Shiesl of Alaska. Early to mid season. Regular leaf, dark green rugose foliage, stout central stem, grows to 3' tall. Fruit are smooth and round to oblate, ranging from 3-6 ounces, and ripen to a chocolate/mahogany color (the color of Cherokee Chocolate or Paul Robeson). Flavor is well balanced and pleasant. Sleeping Lady seems to be particularly prolific in comparison with most of the other new Dwarf project varieties. Ted provided the commercial sample as F7 seeds, vial 3133, which was sent to Tania.
colors - purple - 1, red - 1, pink - 1, brown - 1
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2012 Releases (4)
Dwarf Kelly Green - 75 days - First offered to the public in 2012 by Remy's Sample Seed Shop (link to be provided once it is listed). Dwarf Kelly Green is a product of the Dwarf Tomato Project, originating in the Sneezy family (Golden Dwarf Champion X Green Giant, cross made by Patrina in 2005). The tomato originated as a selection of Barossa Fest 2 (which was selected and named by Patrina), found and named by Craig in 2007 after Sue's beloved uncle, Edward Kelly, who had recently passed away. Dwarf Kelly Green is an indeterminate regular leaf Dwarf that will reach from 4-5 feet tall by the end of the growing season, and produce nearly round green-fleshed, clear skinned fruit in the 3-6 ounce range. The fruit have a well balanced, full, delicious flavor. Dwarf Kelly Green seems to be quite disease tolerant and one of the more prolific of the new Dwarf varieties. Primary work on Dwarf Kelly Green was done by Craig, Patrina, and Michael Volk, with additional help from Lawrence Andris (Australia) and Sherry Long (Alaska). Ted Maiden did the finalizing work and seed propagation for release. Information on the Dwarf Tomato Project can be found on its own website - here - as well as Craig's website, here.
Dwarf Arctic Rose - 60 days - first offered to the public in 2012 by Jeff Casey's tomato seed company (link to be provided once it is listed). Developed between 2006-2012 by the members of the Dwarf Tomato Project from a cross between Budai Torpe and Black from Tula, made in 2006 by Patrina Nuske Small in Australia and named Grumpy. Sherry Shiesl and Susan Bailey of Alaska carried out the majority of the selection work on this new variety, which was named collaboratively by them in 2011. Early to mid season. Regular leaf, dark green rugose foliage, stout central stem, grows to 3 feet tall - relatively compact for a Dwarf project release. Fruit are smooth and round to oblate, ranging from 3-8 ounces, and ripen pink (clear skin, red interior). Flavor is well balanced and delicious. Ted Maiden grew out the F8 seed that will be sent to the vendor for release. Information on the Dwarf Tomato Project can be found on its own website - here - as well as Craig's website, here.
Dwarf Sweet Sue - 80 days - First offered to the public in 2012 by Heritage Tomato Seeds (link to be provided once it is listed). Dwarf Sweet Sue is a product of the Dwarf Tomato Project, originating in the Sneezy family (Golden Dwarf Champion X Green Giant, cross made by Patrina in 2005). The tomato originated as a selection of Summertime Gold 3 (which was selected and named by David Lockwood), found and named by Craig in 2007 after his wife, Susan (who loved the tomato and is very sweet!) Dwarf Sweet Sue is an indeterminate potato leaf Dwarf that will reach from 4-5 feet tall by the end of the growing season, and produced variably shaped (oblate to round), smooth, bright yellow fruit in the 5-10 ounce range, that take on a pronounced pink blossom end blush when very ripe. The fruit have a well balanced, full, delicious flavor with particularly sweet overtones. Dwarf Sweet Sue seems to be quite disease tolerant and one of the more prolific of the new Dwarf varieties. Primary work on Dwarf Sweet Sue was done by Craig, David, Patrina, Michael Volk, and Susan Anderson, with additional help from Russell Pietzch (Australia), Stephanie Gernert, Martha Hufford, Ruth TenBrink, Paul Fish, and Carol Knapp. Ted Maiden did the finalizing work and seed propagation for release. Information on the Dwarf Tomato Project can be found on its own website - here - as well as Craig's website, here.
Summer Sunrise - 80 days - First offered to the public in 2012 by Gleckler Seedsmen (link to be provided once it is listed). Summer Sunrise is a product of the Dwarf Tomato Project, originating in the Sneezy family (Golden Dwarf Champion X Green Giant, cross made by Patrina in 2005). The tomato originated as a selection of Summertime Gold 1 (selected and named by David Lockwood), found and named by David after some selection work carried out by he and Susan Anderson. Summer Sunrise is an indeterminate potato leaf Dwarf that will reach from 4-5 feet tall by the end of the growing season, and produce medium to medium large smooth oblate bright yellow fruit with a pronounced blossom end blush. Summer Sunrise is distinguished from the similar Summertime Gold by having larger seed locules, larger seed, a slightly more pronounced blush, and slightly different flavor nuances. The fruit of Summer Sunrise have a well balanced, full, delicious flavor. The plant seems to be quite disease tolerant and yields quite well throughout the season. Primary work on Summer Sunrise was done by David, Susan, Neil Lockhart and Justin Morse, with additional help from Craig. Ted Maiden did the finalizing work and seed propagation for release. Information on the Dwarf Tomato Project can be found on its own website - here - as well as Craig's website, here.
colors - green - 1, pink - 1, yellow - 2
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2014 releases (8)
Rosella Crimson - 70 days - first offered by Remy's Sample Seed Shop and Heritage Tomato Seeds (dual release) - early to midseason regular leaf Dwarf, producing medium to medium large oblate fruit that have clear skin and red flesh, hence are a pink variety. Vigorous and productive, the flavor is excellent to outstanding, in some seasons approaching Brandywine in quality. A member of the Sleep family (Budai X Stump of the World), Rosella Crimson is the collaborative work of primarily Patrina Nuske Small (who named it), Craig LeHoullier, Linda Black, Denise Sackett, Justin Morse, Bill Minkey, with input from many others.
Chocolate Champion - 70 days- first offered by Remy's Sample Seed Shop and Jeff Casey's Heirloom Seeds (dual release!) - midseason regular dwarf Dwarf producing medium to medium large oblate chocolate brown fruit and lots of them. The flavor is nicely balanced and very tasty, and both appearance and flavor resemble Cherokee Chocolate. A member of the Cheeky Dwarf family (Golden Dwarf Champion X Cherokee Chocolate), Chocolate Champion is the collaborative work of Patrina Nuske Small, Ray South (who named it), David Lockwood, Denise Bath, Bill Yoder, Mark Gladney, Ruth TenBrink, Craig LeHoullier and Bill Minkey.
Big Green Dwarf - 70 days - first offered by Heritage Tomato Seeds and Tatiana's TOMATObase (dual release) - midseason regular leaf Dwarf, producing medium to medium large oblate fruit that retain green flesh when ripe but develop an amber skin like Cherokee Green; nice, well balanced, medium intensity flavor. A member of the Cheeky Dwarf family (Golden Dwarf Champion X Cherokee Chocolate), Big Green Dwarf is the collaborative work of Patrina Nuske Small, Marjorie Holloway (who named it), Craig LeHoullier and Bill Minkey.
Wherokowhai - 75 days - first offered by Heritage Tomato Seeds and Tatiana's TOMATbase (co-launch) - midseason potato leaf Dwarf and our first bicolored offering, name pronounced "fer-dow-co-fi", a native New Zealand Maori word (the variety was named by New Zealand project member Richard Watson). The medium to medium large, oblate fruit are yellow with red swirls with an outstanding flavor, and can be considered a dwarf version of one of its parents, Lucky Cross. A member of the Dizzy family (Dwarf Russian Swirl, out of the Dopey family, X Lucky Cross), Wherokowhai is the collaborative work of Ray South, Richard Watson (who named it), Craig LeHoullier, Martha Hufford, Soren Linnemann, Lyn Rancourt, Patrina Nuske Small, Michael Volk, Bill Yoder, Doug Frank, Bill Minkey and Willa Osis.
Dwarf Blazing Beauty - 75 days - first offered by Heritage Tomato Seeds and Tatiana's TOMATbase (co-launch) - mid to late midseason; our first orange dwarf project release, produced on a vigorous potato leaf Dwarf plant. The fruit are medium to medium large, smooth oblate and a deep orange in and out. The flavor sparkles with an ample tart bite and is quite intense, resembling very much one of its parents, Elbe. A member of the Tipsy family (Golden Dwarf Champion X Elbe), Dwarf Blazing Beauty is the collaborative work of Patrina Nuske Small, Craig LeHoullier (who named it), John Schmuch, Amanda Fischer, Bill Yoder, Dee Sackett, Doug Frank, and Susan Oliverson
Boronia - 65 days - first offered by Heritage Tomato Seeds, Knapp's and Tatiana's TOMATbase (tri-launch!) - early midseason to midseason, regular leaf Dwarf producing lots of medium to medium large, oblate purple fruit with a delicious, intense flavor that in some seasons approaches Cherokee Purple in quality. A member of the Happy family (New Big Dwarf X Paul Robeson), Boronia is the collaborative work of Patrina Nuske Small (who named it), Gina McDermott, Tanya Kucak, David Lockwood, Craig LeHoullier, Sherry Shiesl, Carol Knapp, Michael Volk and Bill Minkey.
Sean's Yellow Dwarf - 65 days - first offered by Tania's TOMATObase - early-mid season regular leaf Dwarf producing lots of smooth medium sized oblate bright yellow fruit with a very pale yellow interior, with a refreshing, bright delicious flavor. A member of the Witty family (Budai X Cherokee Green), Sean's Yellow Dwarf is the collaborative work of Patrina Nuske Small, Lee Newman (who named it after his friend, Sean, in whose garden it first appeared), Linda Stormes, Ginny Bishton, Ruth TenBrink and Craig LeHoullier.
Sweet Adelaide - 70 days - first offered by Jeff Casey's heirloom seed company and Sample Seed Shop (dual release) - midseason regular leaf Dwarf, producing medium to medium large oblate pink fruit with a balanced, delicious flavor. It is a vigorous and productive variety that makes a wonderful slicing tomato. A member of the Happy family (New Big Dwarf X Paul Robeson), Sweet Adelaide is the collaborative work of Patrina Nuske Small (who named it), Jeff Casey, Craig LeHoullier, David Lockwood, Lurley Hernandez, Ted Maiden, Doug Frank, Damon Huck,Tanya Kucak, and Bill Minkey, with input from many others.
colors - brown - 1, yellow - 1, bicolor - 1, purple - 1, orange - 1, green - 1, pink - 2
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2014/2015 releases (11)
Dwarf Pink Passion - 65 days - coming soon from Remy's Sample Seed Shop and Tatiana's TOMATO base (double launch). This variety originated with a cross between Anna Banana Russian and Roza Vetrov made by Patrina Nuske Small and named Nosey. Dwarf Pink Passion was selected and named by Linda Black. The vigorous dwarf regular leaf plants produce a heavy yield of medium sized (4-6 ounces) strongly heart shaped pink fruit with a delightful, balanced, sweet flavor. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Linda, Charlotte Burk, Sherry Long, Paul Anguiano, Amanda Fischer, Jessica Dubin, Dan Follett, Gina McDermott, and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
- medium sized strong heart shaped pink, nice sweet flavor, very prolific, quite early. From the Nosey line.
Chocolate Lightning - 80 days - coming soon from Victory Seeds, Tatiana's TOMATO base and Remy's Sample Seed Shop (triple launch). This variety originated with a cross between Dwarf Wild Fred and Beauty King made by Vince Lavallo and named Beauty. Chocolate Lightning was selected and named by Vince. The vigorous dwarf regular leaf plants are among the taller growing of the new dwarf varieties. The plants produce excellent yields of medium sized (4-8 ounce) smooth, slightly oblate chocolate colored tomatoes with jagged green and gold stripes. The rich crimson flesh has the intense flavor of black tomatoes, with great balance. The Beauty line is very complex and a few surprises could result when growing this variety, with stripes of different colors. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Robin Bort, Susan Oliverson, Lisa Moore, Patrick Sullivan, Bill Yoder, Roberto, Caro del Castillo, Desire Sommers, Jenna D’Amore, and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Uluru Ochre - 65 days - coming soon from Tatiana's TOMATO Base and Remy's Sample Seed shop (double launch). This variety originated with a cross between Orange Heirloom and Rosella Purple made by Patrina Nuske Small and named Rosy. Uluru Ochre was selected and named by Patrina. The vigorous dwarf regular leaf plants are relatively compact, quite early to produce and prolific. Producing a good yield of medium to medium to large sized (6-12 ounces) oblate uniquely colored tomatoes that are essentially the first "black/orange" we've seen - orange flesh with green overtones, and somewhat amber/orange/green in appearance when whole. The flavor can be a bit variable season to season, but at it's best, is absolutely delicious. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Patrina, Patrick Sullivan, Steve McClaren, Linda Black, Marla McClaren, Ted Maiden, Paul Fish, Lurley Hernandez, Dee Sackett, Ginny Bishton, Sue Bailey, Lisa Moore, Sherry Shiesl, Simone Pennig, Amanda Fischer, Sandra Tipton and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Sweet Scarlet Dwarf - 75 days - coming soon from Heritage Tomato Seed. This variety originated with a cross between Elbe and Golden Dwarf Champion made by Patrina Nuske Small and named Tipsy. Sweet Scarlet Dwarf was selected and named by Craig LeHoullier. The vigorous dwarf potato leaf plants produce a heavy yield of medium to medium large sized (6-16 ounces) oblate, smooth red fruit, possessing a superb, intense, complex flavor – one of the very best flavored of all of the new Dwarf varieties. Due to the challenge of stabilizing the dominant color (red), don’t be surprised if you find an occasional plant producing yellow or orange fruit; be sure to try them, because they will likely be just as delicious. (Dwarf Blazing Beauty is the orange release from this line, and the yellow, Dwarf Golden Gypsy, is on the way soon!). Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Jon Schmuck, Susan Oliverson, Michael Volk, Susan Barber, Patrina Nuske Small, Steve McClaren, Marla McClaren, Dee Sackett, Scott Stough, Ginny Bishton, Wendy Montanez, Amanda Fischer, Linda Black, Bobby Whicker, Kathy Wolfe, Paul Fish, and Kay Robbins. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Fred's Tie Dye - 75 days - coming soon from Tatiana's TOMATO Base and Remy's Sample Seed Shop (double launch). This variety originated with a cross between Dwarf Wild Fred and Pink Berkeley Tie Dye made by Vince Lavallo and named Messy. Fred’s Tie Dye was selected and named by Vince. The vigorous dwarf regular leaf plants are among the taller growing of the dwarfs. Producing a good yield of medium to medium sized (5-6 ounce average) round purple tomatoes with jagged gold and green stripes and the deep crimson flesh of black tomatoes, Fred’s Tie Dye has a rich, intense, balanced flavor. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Vince Lavallo, Lyne Rancourt, Ted Maiden, Lisa Moore, Connie Dockler, Richard Watson, Gina McDermott, Bill Yoder, Simone Pennig, Scott Stough, Donna Marie Kudrak, Marsha Eisenberg, Antoniette Koshykar, and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Dwarf Purple Heart - 70 days - coming soon from Remy's Sample Seed Shop, Victory Seeds and Tatiana's TOMATO base (triple launch). This variety originated with a cross between Dwarf Wild Fred and Brad’s Black Heart made by Vince Lavallo and named Porky. Dwarf Purple Heart was selected and named by Vince. The vigorous dwarf regular leaf plants are among the most spreading and branching of the dwarf varieties. Producing heavy yields of medium to medium large sized (6-16 ounces) heart shaped purple tomatoes, Dwarf Purple Heart has delicious deep crimson flesh with a well-balanced flavor. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Linda Black, Patrina Nuske Small, Amanda Fischer, Robbins Hail , Lisa Moore, Lurley Hernandez, Paul Fish, Kenny Jacobs, Stuart Pollack, Jessica Dubin, John Graham, Stephanie McVeigh, Antoniette Koshykar, and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Banksia Queen - 80 days - coming soon from Victory Seeds. This variety originated with a cross between Elbe and Golden Dwarf Champion made by Patrina Nuske Small and named Tipsy. Banksia was selected and named by Patrina Nuske Small. The vigorous dwarf regular leaf plants are among the taller growing of the dwarfs. Producing a good yield of medium to medium large sized (6-12 ounces) oblate bright yellow tomatoes, with occasional lobing, Banksia Queen has delicious juicy pale yellow flesh with a good balance of sweet and tart. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Patrina, Jon Schmuck, Gary Woods, Susan Oliverson, Bill Yoger, Susan Dzejachok, Danny Lee Turner, Shawn Connant, and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Summer Sweet Gold - 80 days - (what this really is, is Summertime Gold reselected or improved, but to avoid confusion, it is getting a distinct name) - coming soon from Heritage Tomato Seeds. The original release of Summertime Gold showed too much of a similarity to Dwarf Mr. Snow, likely due to some lingering segregation of genes. Selection work carried out by Craig LeHoullier and Lee Newman resulted in this improved version, which we are naming Summer Sweet Gold, which is exactly what we hoped for with the original release of Summertime Gold. One of the best flavored of all of the dwarfs, the plentiful medium large (most in the 6-10 ounce range), smooth oblate fruit are produced on vigorous potato leaf Dwarf plants. The medium yellow tomatoes, often showing a pale pink blossom end blush, have an intense, wonderful and memorable flavor. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Dwarf Golden Heart - 70 days - coming soon from Remy's Sample Seed Shop. This variety originated with a cross between Anna Banana Russian and Roza Vetrov made by Patrina Nuske Small and named Nosey. Dwarf Golden Heart was selected and named by Linda Black. The vigorous dwarf regular leaf plants produce a heavy yield of medium to medium large sized (4-10 ounces) blunt heart shaped medium yellow fruit with a more pale colored flesh, possessing a delightful, balanced, sweet flavor. Dwarf Golden Heart was selected and named by Linda Black. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Lurley Hernandez, Christy Shedd, Dan Follett, Jason Ford, Paul Fish, Linda Stormes and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Bundaberg Rumball - 60 days - coming soon from Tatiana's TOMATO Base. This variety originated with a cross between Black from Tula and Budai made by Patrina Nuske Small and named Grumpy. Bundaberg Rumball was selected and named by Richard Allen. The vigorous but relatively compact dwarf regular leaf plants produce a heavy yield of medium to medium small sized (2-3 ounces) round chocolate colored fruit with delightful, balanced, sweet flavor. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety are Patrina, Howard Kushner, Carol Knapp, Ted Maiden, Christy Shedd, Amanda Fischer and Craig LeHoullier. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
Sarandipity - 65 days - coming soon from Victory Seeds. This variety originated with a cross between Black Zebra and a pink selection of the Cheeky family, made by Ray South and named Streaky (Cheeky’s lineage is Golden Dwarf Champion crossed with Cherokee Chocolate by Patrina Nuske Small – this is therefore quite a complex lineage). Sarandipity was selected and named by Craig LeHoullier after his daughter Sara. The vigorous, relatively compact dwarf regular leaf plants produce a heavy yield of medium to medium small sized (2-4 ounce) round chocolate fruit with vertical green stripes. The firm deep crimson flesh is mild and sweet, and the productivity and fruit size and texture make this a great canning or grilling variety. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new Dwarf variety areTessa Millesse, Paul Fish, Susan Oliverson, Ginny Bishton, Patrina Nuske Small, Amanda Fischer, Marla McClaren, Ginger Eisenberg, Carol Knapp, and Jason Ford. The starting seed sample was grown out and supplied by Bill Minkey.
There are some double and triple releases due to the quantity of seeds - see above!