It is hard to believe that our unique Dwarf Tomato breeding project has been around for 8 years. But what an 8 years it has been - around 300 volunteers, world-wide (including over 250 for the Northern Hemisphere part of the team), nearly 60 crosses made and named as leads for our work.....and, as of a few weeks ago, 25 new, stable, open pollinated Dwarf-growing tomatoes listed among the listings of a handful of small and medium sized seed companies!
This year saw a change in how we are running the project, as seed import rules dictate a split of the team; each side is following through and developing the leads and materials that they have in hand. I just finished sending hundreds of samples of seed to over 50 participants for the 2014 effort, and we've got some great things coming (stripes and hearts, with cherries and pastes on the horizon).
Here is the list of releases, along with the company who did the initial offering. For full descriptions, see the Dwarf page and scroll to the bottom.
NOTE that I will have seedlings of all of the following Dwarf releases this spring (local availability only).
2010 Releases (9)
Dwarf Jade Beauty - first offered to the public in 2010 by Sandhill Preservation.
Dwarf Beryl Beauty - first offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds.
Dwarf Emerald Giant - first offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds.
Summertime Green - First offered to the public in 2010 by Tomato Growers Supply.
Rosella Purple - first offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds.
Tasmanian Chocolate - First offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds.
Summertime Gold - First offered to the public in 2010 by Sandhill Preservation. We are reselecting this variety, as the released stock is too similar to Dwarf Mr. Snow and does not match our expectations. (if you are growing it, don't worry - it is still a great tomato...but do watch for the re-release, probably next year)
Dwarf Mr. Snow - First offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds.
Dwarf Wild Fred - First offered to the public in 2010 by Tomato Growers Supply.
2011 Releases (4)
Perth Pride first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase.
Iditarod Red first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase.
Yukon Quest first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase.
Sleeping Lady first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase.
2012 Releases (4)
Dwarf Kelly Green - First offered to the public in 2012 by Remy's Sample Seed Shop.
Dwarf Arctic Rose - first offered to the public in 2012 by Casey's Heirloom Seeds.
Dwarf Sweet Sue - First offered to the public in 2012 by Heritage Tomato Seeds.
Summer Sunrise - First offered to the public in 2012 by Gleckler Seedsmen.
2014 releases (8) - I am giving full descriptions, as they are new.
Rosella Crimson - now available from Heritage Tomato Seeds and The Sample Seed Shop (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 - now available from Jeff Casey's Heirloom Seeds company and The Sample Seed Shop (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 - now available from 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 - now available from Heritage Tomato Seeds and Tatiana's TOMATObase (dual release) - 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 - now available from Heritage Tomato Seeds and Tatiana's TOMATObase (dual release) - 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 - now available from Heritage Tomato Seeds, Knapp's Vegetable Seeds and Tatiana's TOMATObase (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 - now available from Tatians'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 - now available from Jeff Casey's Heirloom Seeds company and The 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.
This year saw a change in how we are running the project, as seed import rules dictate a split of the team; each side is following through and developing the leads and materials that they have in hand. I just finished sending hundreds of samples of seed to over 50 participants for the 2014 effort, and we've got some great things coming (stripes and hearts, with cherries and pastes on the horizon).
Here is the list of releases, along with the company who did the initial offering. For full descriptions, see the Dwarf page and scroll to the bottom.
NOTE that I will have seedlings of all of the following Dwarf releases this spring (local availability only).
2010 Releases (9)
Dwarf Jade Beauty - first offered to the public in 2010 by Sandhill Preservation.
Dwarf Beryl Beauty - first offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds.
Dwarf Emerald Giant - first offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds.
Summertime Green - First offered to the public in 2010 by Tomato Growers Supply.
Rosella Purple - first offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds.
Tasmanian Chocolate - First offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds.
Summertime Gold - First offered to the public in 2010 by Sandhill Preservation. We are reselecting this variety, as the released stock is too similar to Dwarf Mr. Snow and does not match our expectations. (if you are growing it, don't worry - it is still a great tomato...but do watch for the re-release, probably next year)
Dwarf Mr. Snow - First offered to the public in 2010 by Victory Seeds.
Dwarf Wild Fred - First offered to the public in 2010 by Tomato Growers Supply.
2011 Releases (4)
Perth Pride first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase.
Iditarod Red first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase.
Yukon Quest first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase.
Sleeping Lady first offered to the public in 2011 by Tania's Tomatobase.
2012 Releases (4)
Dwarf Kelly Green - First offered to the public in 2012 by Remy's Sample Seed Shop.
Dwarf Arctic Rose - first offered to the public in 2012 by Casey's Heirloom Seeds.
Dwarf Sweet Sue - First offered to the public in 2012 by Heritage Tomato Seeds.
Summer Sunrise - First offered to the public in 2012 by Gleckler Seedsmen.
2014 releases (8) - I am giving full descriptions, as they are new.
Rosella Crimson - now available from Heritage Tomato Seeds and The Sample Seed Shop (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 - now available from Jeff Casey's Heirloom Seeds company and The Sample Seed Shop (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 - now available from 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 - now available from Heritage Tomato Seeds and Tatiana's TOMATObase (dual release) - 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 - now available from Heritage Tomato Seeds and Tatiana's TOMATObase (dual release) - 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 - now available from Heritage Tomato Seeds, Knapp's Vegetable Seeds and Tatiana's TOMATObase (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 - now available from Tatians'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 - now available from Jeff Casey's Heirloom Seeds company and The 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.
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