Hoskin's Yellow

[Tom Akers]

I am wondering how many others are growing this and with what results?
I received slips from Alan and planted only one plant. I gave some to others to grow. My plant seems fine and is ripening fruit at a pretty good rate, but my friend has a plant that seems to be a "mule". It is huge and has a lot of blossoms but hasn't set one yet. He has other plants that are doing fine with the same treatment. Any one else see this?
As far as the tomato itself the first fruit was extremely watery (possibly overripe) and I almost gave up on it . (I have about 20 other varieties to taste also.) However, I tried another today and was pleased with the taste and texture. I was kind of surprised that the tomatoes weren't MORE yellow. Mine look more like the shading of dark red/black to yellow seen on some apples. Alan, does this sound correct?
Anyhow, overall this seems like a pretty good tomato.

[Alan]

Yes, at some point in this tomato's past (coming from one of two sources for my seed) there has been some intentional crossing with a potato leaf pink type tomato apparently, at first I thought that it was a mistake, but when I asked my second seed source (a great aunt in KY) if this was normal she said that it had been that way for a number of years, that is apparently there are a few forms of fruit and plant and that she and her side of the family save some of each type every year and mix seedlots(would have been usefull to have known previously), thus there are a number of variations:

Reg leaf, yellow/pink
potato leaf yellow/pink
reg leaf yellow
potato leaf yellow (one plant out of more than 200 that I grew)
potato leaf pnk
reg leaf pink

This year most of my plants were beautiful reg. leaf pink fruit tomatoes, but the pink is a different shade than say something like brandywine or Caspian pink, a little darker, yet not as dark as somethig like Cherokee Purple, Flavor is also outstanding according to market customers, along with the potato leaf varient with Pink fruit.

I am sorry for any confusion this apparent cross may have caused but rest assured this has been that rare "pleasant suprise" for me this year.

[Alan]

P.S. I never noticed any "mule" plants out of my plot of more than 200 plants, but keep us updated, also let us know how the later fruits from your plants turn out.
-Alan

[Tom Akers]

My friend's "mule" plant is still producing flowers at a fantastic rate and is the largest, most healthy looking plant in his garden. It has not produced a single fruit, however. This thing is at least 8' tall and wide and absolutely covered with blossoms. He has a warmer area than I, as most of mine are history or have slowed so much they might as well be.
I thought my plant was an excellent producer of good tasting tomatoes and I saved a lot of seed. Not sure how or if I should offer it as it is still apparently segregating.

[Alan]

Wow, that is weird, a purely "ornamental" plant I suppose.

Tom, I would go ahead an offer them, just do so witht he history of family induced crossing above, that way folks know what to expect, then they can choose out what they would like to keep.

Just my opinion.

Your friend,
Alan