Wanted: Mr. Stripey Tomato Seeds

[Ohiogal]

He all;
I'm looking for Mr. Stripey tomato seeds. The version I want is the variety that forms large fruit - and has distinctive yellow stripes alternating with red - not the small fruit with meandering color. I tried for several years to find the seeds that give the commercial fruit size and can't seem to get it right, so I'm asking here...does anyone have any saved? I'd like to hear from you if you do.
TIA,
Ohiogal

[redbrick]

I believe I have the variety you are looking for. It's a large fruited potato-leaf variety. My variety is German as opposed to the English Tigerella. Let me know if you are interested.

[Ohiogal]

Redbrick;
I'd love to get some from you. Shall I EM you for the exchange?

[redbrick]

Sure, that'll be fine!

[dandelion meadow]

Ohiogal, Three years ago a friend from Colorado sent me a few Mr. Stripey tomato seeds packed for 1998 by Gurney's, described as a big yellow beefsteak, pink striped golden, indet., 80 day. Last year was the first year I could grow them, two plants. They got quite large, were a mix of yellow and pink both inside and on skin, though not striped as distinctively as a Green Zebra, and had a most delicious flavor -sort of tangy and sweet. The little ones that weren't mature by fall frost still developed very good flavor over the next 6-8 weeks in the kitchen. The only place I could find seed this year was on the Gurney's website. Didn't buy new. Those original seeds are still germinating and have promised self to save seed this year. Your message reinforced this. If all goes well, would be glad to share seed (if you want some, please remind me later in year!). Interesting to compare with Redbrick's. I believe the plants were quite vigorous...but then the whole tomato patch was a jungle in '05.

[redbrick]

DM, you have a very good point. Vaieties do have a tendency to shift over time, especially when they are isolated. The best example of this is Brandywine, with its many faces. My personal experience with Brandywine has been less than stellar, although many people consider them the Holy Grail of flavor. I guess I've tried the wrong strain.

[dandelion meadow]

The three seedlings so far of this Mr. Stripey are not potato leaved like Redbrick's. They tasted and looked a lot like Fedco's description of their Pineapple tomato, which they say is also called Mr. Stripey Tigerella or something like that. Hmmm.

[redbrick]

Don'cha just love the name game? I can never decide if it's fascinating or just plain infuriating! LOL!

[Ohiogal]

Hello guys!
Thanks for the info. This is my second year of growing heirloom tomatoes.
I finally stumbled across a variety called "Hill Billy" which is from the W. Va. area. I've planted a few in my greenhouse and am waiting for them to get big enough to put outside.
Redbrick, I didn't want to take your time after I found this variety. Thanks for the offer on the seeds.

[redbrick]

Well, good luck with Hill Billy, I hope it's what you're looking for. If you want to try the Mr. Stripey next year, let me know.

[dandelion meadow]

Redbrick, what is the flavor and texture like on your Mr. Stripey? Obviously, we have different tomatoes, since their leaf types are different. The one I have produced long and well, with plenty later in the season. Was so impressed at the retention of unique tangy, sweet flavor even after weeks in the kitchen ripening in the later fall when most of the other tomatoes were ...well, better than nothing.... Is this a favorite for you? How did you come across this German one?

[redbrick]

I refound mine at a local greenhouse owned by Mennonites. Originally, I had gotten seed from Harris Seed, in conjunction with Genesee Valley Museum. They no longer carry it, now.

The vines are rather vigorous, though a bit shy to bear. The fruit are large, in the one-to-two pounder class, with indestinct red and yellow striping and marbled flesh. The flavor is rich, sweet, and fruity; almost like a pineapple without the zippiness. It's like no other tomato I've tasted.

[dandelion meadow]

That sounds a lot like the one I have. It rivals Aunt Ruby's German Green for unique flavor though very different from A. Ruby's. Next year, I would like to trade with you, if there is anything I would have then that you would like. (I ordered Hinnonmaki Gooseberry this year - supposed to have a dessert quality fruit with an apricot after taste. Hoping it does well in Missouri. Would need to learn how to take cuttings if you would like one then.)

[redbrick]

That would be wonderful (jumping for joy)! I'd love to trade for s few cuttings. They're really simple to take. Wait until the plant is dormant, after leaf-drop, then cut off about twelve inches of year-old wood (this year's growth). Wrap it in moist paper towel or, even better, moist long-fiber sphagnum moss. You'll probably be pruning off that much, any way.
If you're interested, I have a Poorman and a Pixwell bush. I think I also have what I call a "Bumbleberry". The story on that is: I have a thornless Red Lake currant that threw thorned suckers. The thorns didn't bother me, so I let them grow. They produced large black berries, about the size of shooter marbles. The berries are so tart that when DW's mom made a bumbleberry pie with them, every time you took a bite containing one, it "bumbled" you! LOL! I say, I think, because I can't remember if I left one grow or not! My bad!
So what does Aunt Ruby's taste like? I've never been brave enough to try a green tomato. Yet. And shouldn't it be named Aunt Emerald's? Just me bein' me!

[bluelacedredhead]

Gooseberries are an easy one to clone! Once your plants are well established in your berry patch, take a few of the longer branches and bury the tips securely in the ground beside the parent plant. Water and feed, leaving attached to the parent plant until well rooted. Next spring, when Redbrick wants to trade his Bumbleberry plants(LOL) for your Gooseberries, snip and ship!

[dandelion meadow]

Redbrick, will get back to you about a possible gooseberry. Again, will have to see how this one does here. Developed in Finland.
Don't mean to offend, but, as wonderful as your Bumbleberry sounds, will have to pass on it. Well, at least that leaves more for the waiting list you must surely have.

Aunt Ruby's is something else! Haven't got the words for it. Not at all what one would expect of a green tomato. Definately not for frying, too yummy fresh off the vine. Pinetree says "The green fruit become amber tinged when fully ripe. Slices are lime green and shiny with the Juice, resembling a sliced kiwi and the flavor is terrific, spicy and sweet. 5" x 4" fruit, many wiegh over a pound." Bakercreek says "Can grow to over a pound and are just delicious. ...brilliant, neon-green flesh with a strong, sweet, and fruity flavor, much tastier than most red tomatoes. ...family heirloom from Germany is beautiful." This year, Baker Creek has a cherry version of Aunt Ruby's. A late order meant getting the seeds started way late. Am hoping to get a good trial crop before fall frosts.

Bluelacedredhead: Thanks for tip. Will see how much growth occurs this summer.

[redbrick]

Wait, you mean there's a waiting list? No one told me! LOL! Honestly, I'd be surprised if someone WAS interested.

Hmm, maybe I should give Aunt Ruby's a try next year. Your description sounds awfully tempting... I'll have to think about it.

[mrtomatoexpres]

hi ohiogal i just got a mr stripy plant at homedepot. when i get seeds you want let me now. i have 25 kinds of tomatoe seeds if you want or anybody else will trade. i'll post my list tonite :)

[dandelion meadow]

Redbrick, Hinnonmaki gooseberry didn't make it. Probably a combo of intense heat early in growth seasn plus (more important) we had drought. I water usually deeply once a week. At the end of one week in June I looked at the gooseberry and she was wilted with leaves drying. Too late it dawned on me that the drought we have been having has left the soil so dry that any water in the garden or on individual plants is wicked away by the surrounding bone dry soil and thirsty tree roots. Have never seen such dry soil. Changed to daily watering for some plants and every 3 days for others. Won't try gooseberry again until am sure I can keep soil moist enough.

Mr. Smilie plants didn't do well this year - long story, basically a mis-judgement on planting site. After you shared that yours bears later in the season, I remembered that this one did, too, last year. Pehaps, the memory of abundant harvests was enhanced by the many that were available for ripening indoors in the fall and their great flavor in November when other tomatoes were tasting a bit blander.

Ohiogal, how did Hillbilly do for you?

[Jeannine]

I have I believe 3 Mr Smileys out there still hanging on for dear life with the up and down weather we've been having and they are still putin' out the maters! Amazing, DD and I counted 12 maters yesterday between the 3 plants, we've had 2 frosts; one light the other a bit heavier and still! I've brought one plant indoors for safe keeping in hopes of getting some more of these delightful tomatoes. I would be very interested in obtaining any seed form the potato-leaf variety (5 seeds would work) so I can compare the two. For trade I have mostly Moon Flowers and Morning Glories right now or I can send a SASE, let me know!

[redbrick]

Redbrick, Hinnonmaki gooseberry didn't make it. Won't try gooseberry again until am sure I can keep soil moist enough.

Mr. Smilie plants didn't do well this year - long story, basically a mis-judgement on planting site. After you shared that yours bears later in the season, I remembered that this one did, too, last year. Pehaps, the memory of abundant harvests was enhanced by the many that were available for ripening indoors in the fall and their great flavor in November when other tomatoes were tasting a bit blander.
DM, I'm sorry to hear that neither one really worked out for you. If you decide to try Gooseberries again, I could supply you with cuttings of either Poorman or Pixwell. After all, there's always next year!

[dandelion meadow]

Thank you, Redbrick for the generous offer. I'd like to go through '07 first - to better care for the plants that were started this year and to evaluate the whole yard better. Both of the gooseberries you mentioned have a reputation for good performance and adaptibility. If you do try Hinnonmaki, let me know if it is as delicious as catalog says. The plants were doing very well until the big heat+drought.