Guess What Tomato is Growing?

[campingcorgis]

So, I have no clue.  That is why I'm posting the picture below.  I planted one Golden Harvest Tomato pod (front, right) and 3 Heirloom Cherry Tomato Plants.  The 2 plants in the back look pretty much the same as the Golden Harvest...cherry tomato-like.  But the oddball, front, left, has always been different. Taller, thinner, and a much lighter green.  Obviously, what it is growing is not cherry-tomato-like!  So...what do you think it is?  Do you think I'll get something edible from its efforts?  

[maskedsonnet]

A mystery! It doesn't really look like the photos AG has of the mega cherry tomatoes either 

[airscapes]

Could have been wrong seeds in the pod, could be a defective seed if the variety is a hybrid.  A hybrid is a combo of 2 or more varieties and if for whatever reason only one part of the hybrid is active you will get just that part.. I grow the Burpee Early 4th of July hybrid and sometimes the seed from fallen tomatoes will germinate the next year.  The leaves are different and the fruit is small like a cherry tomato.  Wife said they didn't task like much.. The early 4th is very fast to mature, has 1-2oz fruit and tastes awesome.  So we probably were getting the small size trait and fast grow but missing the larger parts that make bigger and taste good.. No idea how they do this.. just know this is why you can't usually reproduce from seeds that come from hybrids.. Also I have read that some are even engineered to be sterile to keep their secret, but that could be just the internet..   Let it grow and see what you get!

[maskedsonnet]

I second letting it ripen up and seeing what happens! And if it's amazing you could save some seeds and see if it re-grows the same! I love grow experiments so much

[campingcorgis]

Who remembers Ernest T. Bass on the Andy Griffith Show?  Especially the one where Ernest T. takes to breaking all the windows in Mayberry!?  He runs around, laughing with a silly cackle and jumping & clicking his heels...reminds me of an evil Leprechaun or gremlin...LOL.  Anyway, I sometimes wonder if there's a gremlin hiding in the AG facility that only comes out at night.  Runs around switching seeds or substituting AG seeds with foreigners!  LOL. 

 

[T]

Ernst T ... now you making me 🤔 and I’m thinking do I say I know or not age is in the answer sometimes. Mystery remains! As for the tomato we may need to send off for paternity test lord know Sally  needs a seed show. 

[campingcorgis]

Apr 4, 2021 8:27:48 GMT -5 T said:

Ernst T ... now you making me 🤔 and I’m thinking do I say I know or not age is in the answer sometimes. Mystery remains! As for the tomato we may need to send off for paternity test lord know Sally  needs a seed show. 

Hmmm, well, there are a number of "Classic TV channels" that still play the old Andy Griffith show, among other classics...so I don't think that is a giveaway on age...but you're being a grandparent, that kind of hints that you aren't a spring chicken?  

In the meantime, the cherry tomatoes are about ready for a taste test.  The oddball tomato is still rock hard & very green. 

[T]

Attention to detail is your strong point   . Yuck hard tomato. 

[campingcorgis]

Apr 6, 2021 7:49:57 GMT -5 T said:

Attention to detail is your strong point   . Yuck hard tomato. 

It is still in the AG.  Who knows, maybe it will ripen into a delightful fruit, with time?  One can hope!

[campingcorgis]

Almost ready...

[Sher]

Wow!  It is big! Could it be an Aerogarden mega tomato? I know some here have grown them.

[Shawn]

Beautiful and red!

[campingcorgis]

Thanks Sher and Shawn !  I have no idea what it is since it was stuck in a pod with the AG Heirloom Cherry tomatoes.  Since I had never grown either one before, I had to choose what to keep & I kept one of the smaller, darker green plants and one of the taller, lighter green plants.  This is the taller one.  Presumably, it is some other tomato that AG sells, but someone suggested it could be a throw-back or some other oddity?  

We'll see how it tastes!  There are 3 more that are a bit behind this one in growth etc.  I'm thinking this one will either be consumed as a stand-alone side-dish...LOL...or on a sandwich.  

Not tonight though, as I'm making Orange Beef with steamed rice and a zuke side-dish.  Yum!

[mike]

I've grown the Megas a  couple of times. I got some real freaks, 3-inchers. I had one 3-inch Mega that grew into the shape of a heart. I thought the heirlooms tasted better, though.

These are from 2014.

[campingcorgis]

Thanks, mike!  I'm not sure what this one might be.  I think it will give us 4 tomatoes.  They are large, maybe 3.5-4 inches.  The flavor is good, but not as bright as the cherries.