[QUOTE=Al@NC;550109]@Bower, how did Gary O'Sena turn out for you last season? Did it grow well and produce fruit for you?

Al[/QUOTE]

One of my friends grew it in her folks greenhouse. It set lots and did fine, which is saying something considering what a bad weather year we had. Sadly her seed saving was a failure for that one, so I'll have to source it again if I want to try it.
She also had a 'mystery black' that came in a packet supposed to be a red paste. Not a cross, definitely something mislabeled. She said that one was her favourite out of GOS, Indian Stripe, and the ??.

Black slicers for me this year: Owen's Purple and Royal Purple are just up (thanks so much!!). :D And Chernomor for my mother, she has to have the sure thing, year after year. :lol:

That's good to hear about Owen's Purple and Royal Purple! My Royal Purple had a good head start on Owen's and it's looking really good in it's plastic cup! Not dark tomato related but Pink Passion dwarf is a very good looking plant (to me)...

So far my best looking most vigorous small plants are IS PL and IS RL along with Pruden's Purple, the Indian Zebra's are ok but they aren't as vigorous so far.

I've got a " " Purple series going on this year with Pruden's Purple, Royal Purple and Owen's Purple. :)

Al

Just thought I would chime in here. I opted not to try Owen's Purple this year, debated about Mikado Black, decided not to grow that one either. Cherokee Carbon has really taken off and Daniel Burson looks to be a strong one as well. Spudatula has so far only one seedling out of 9, and Girl Girl's weird thing is promising, as well as Carbon Copy. ISPL was a bit slow starting but is now showing great germination. I am such an IS fan. Bower I was hesitant with Owen's Purple because I was worried about DTM.
Looking forward to everyone's results.
Sharon

Sharon, I couldn't find any info about the DTM of Owen's... guess I should have looked at the parents because they're both on the late side for us afaict now that I've looked. One thing (besides the taste review!) that made me choose it, is that Terry describes mostly 8-10 oz fruit. Smaller beefs tend to be earlier than huge ones, so.... maybe it'll be earlier than feared.
I'm only growing a few new to me varieties this year, and I did also try to pare it down by DTM, but I have one other that might be late for us which is Mazarini. They are just too beautiful to pass up. I have one devious plan for those "maybe too late" ones, and that is to use them as pollen donors for crosses early in the year, and try breeding some of those traits into an earlier package.
Always the optimist... ;)