narrow minded mater people... :(

[Jim]

So I've been kind of prepping a list of what seeds I want to grow out to give out as seedlings. I'm a bit frustrated because almost everyone that I've asked "hey what are you interested in?" I get the classis red beefstack or red cherry answer. So my reply has been that I'll give them the red beefstakes but they have to try something "new" also. So now I have plans to introduce my friends and family to green zebra, absinthe, la mer, ect...I'm hoping they like them so much next year they'll me more interested in others.

[paquebot]

I have had that same or similar problem with my seed offers on HT each year. "Send what you think is best." or "Surprise me!" are the two most common open requests. Had one like that already today and filled with Amana Orange, Bear Claw, Boyarski, and Olive Doree.

Martin

[Jim]

I guess it's to be expected but it's still sad that people have been brainwashed into the red grocery store tasteless globe model.

I've never seen Bear Claw.

[grungy]

Clarkbar,
Surprise everyone this fall, have everyone you start plants for over for an afternoon or evening tomato tasting trial. It doesn't take that much effort, a plate full of slices or quarters or cherries and have everyone taste each variety. (incentive - give them a score sheet on rating the tomatoes according to sweet, acid, unusual flavour and over all out of say 5 or 10. By the time they have finished tasting and comparing (and generally gossiping over this one or that one) you will have converted several people over to trying different colors and shapes. At least that is what has happened around here over the last 3 years. Gone from "red, round, 2-6 oz. to what was that orange frilly shaped one, or the ugly black thing that had the wow taste." Course this means that you had better keep the scoresheets so you can figure out which ones they are refering to.
Val/grungy

[Jim]

Good idea Val....plus I always love a party at home..

[downinmyback]

Make sure you have lots of cold beer so they can rinse their mouth between varieties lol.

[flowerpower]

I do give my extra seedlings to a few friends. They know I like to be "different". So they are not surprised when their maters are not all red. But I am breaking them in to new varieties. One person asked me for Black Cherry, so I'll have to get a pack of those now.

[Jim]

I think I have some of those that I can send. How many do you want/need?

And yeh I guess it's just getting it out there that there are many choices.

[flowerpower]

I need about 6 seeds- only growing 2 plants out. Thanks. I am not crazy about the way "black" maters look -esp. Carbon. I actually ripped that variety out 2 yrs ago. I really thought it had a diease. I grew it from the wintersown.org Heirloom Tomato Collection (a mixed pack).

But one color I would never grow is White. There is something unnatural about a white mater. But I am very picky about food in general. If I dont like the way it looks or smells, I doubt I would like the way it tastes.

[Jim]

I'll get some some black cherry out to you this week. I think I have brown berry too which is either the same or super similar.

[Alan]

Black Cherry and Brown Berry are both terriffic varieties which do well here and sell great at market with customers always coming back for more, I highly reccomend both of them.

[downinmyback]

I grew Brown Berry this last year and did not think the flavor was anything special. But last year was a bad year for me with the drouth the flavor may not be as good as normal.

[kctomato]

Though I like blacks and purples, generally I do not care for most greens, yellows. oranges and whites. I have tried lots of different ones and Im still looking. Most to me really have little or no flavor found in the reds. Y,O and W's have different biochemistries in regard to the color development . I have often wondered if that in some way influences sugars, acids and phenols. Some even have different odors. There are a few exceptions.

If you really want people to try something different blindfold challenge them and let them sample things. Site and name recognition really detracts from people trying something new. That's why I dont put much relevance to the taste testings where they put the name out for people to see - it baises descisions.

Another way to introduce these bland ones is to make some kind of food for them to try it which has a striking presentation - like only yellow tomatoes made into a topping with EVOO, garlic, S&P and a dash of green basil (purple basil if you really want to attract attention) for a bruschetta. It gets attention and presents it in a "I want to try that" manner.

Alan, she's on vacation right now but Robbins has been growing out a "blackish" line for me that produces well for her. We have just been calling it "Bear Creek" and I've left it up to her what she wants to do with it (ie raise seed for increase/release or even keep that name). That line might do very well for you.

Id like to send Dan and Val some things to see how they do in the north.

Also I have an apricot looking fruit that is stable now (large cherry). That might generate market interest too.

[grungy]

Hi KCtomato,
Sure lets discuss it - after all after 400+ plants per year what's a few more between friends? LOL
What do you have in mind?
Val and Dan

[Alan]

I wouldn't mind to give "bear creek" a go here this summer or the apricot cherry you spoke of. I've still got a little room to spare on the farm.