GGWT Stable?

[gdaddybill]

I have 4 or 5 GGWT plants and so far only one looks like the large flat striped ones I've seen in other posts. Most of them are Early Girl size, with faint stripes, especially when green, though they have been juicy, melting and intensely flavored. Seed source was Marianna's and no criticism intended. I haven't tried the big striped ones yet but will report back when I do.

[Spartanburg123]

Those in your picture look consistent with what I have grown the last two years. I've never had any that resembled EG. Here is pic from last year's harvest.

[Gardeneer]

Marsha maybe can give you the answer.
But I have read rave reviews on it and nevera deviation.
I have not grown it but would like to.

Q: Is GGWT is a cross or due to mutation ?

[bad.kelpie]

Gardeneer, I don't think anyone knows. It showed up in someone's garden from some commercial green zebra seeds. As far as I know.

[zipcode]

Your pictures look fairly beefsteak style. One thing is that catfacing will further flatten the fruit, and your are quite catface free, so that may be one thing. Also striping pattern changes during the season. Not sure about this particular one but Berkley Tie Dye pattern changes, with more green stripes at first, like your pictures, and then less and less like SPartanburg's pictures.

[gdaddybill]

Tried the two GGWT variations I've seen so far. The large striped ones have some green cores and ugly seed cavities but a slice tasted great (acid with background sweetness) on an Asiago bread/smoked turkey sandwich. The small variation with barely discernible stripes is also tasty and 95% edible (no hard or green cavities).

Originally Posted by gdaddybill

I have 4 or 5 GGWT plants and so far only one looks like the large flat striped ones I've seen in other posts. Most of them are Early Girl size, with faint stripes, especially when green, though they have been juicy, melting and intensely flavored. Seed source was Marianna's and no criticism intended. I haven't tried the big striped ones yet but will report back when I do.

Are your potassium levels good? Potassium is said to help fruit size (some say phosphorus does, too). Did you add too much nitrogen? (Too much nitrogen can sometimes result in smaller, but more, fruits, according to a study that I read.)

It's possible that Marianna's seeds might have been crossed somewhere in their ancestry, but I don't know anything about the variety as a whole being unstable. Its ancestor (if Green Zebra is it) does seem to have a history of frequent mutations, however. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a lot of mutations coming from GGWT.

[gdaddybill]

Thanks for your input. I believe the differences are mainly genetic at this point. Several other plants should begin fruiting soon and we will see how they turn out.

[oakley]

From a thread last Spring in Jesica's words...

"Hi, these are originally from my garden. It was a mutation from a commercial packet of green zebra from renees seeds. I loved it so i saved seeds and started growing them year after year. I decided to share them because i didnt want to have some kind of gardening disaster wipe this variety out."

I believe she shared them on another forum, then here last year. My seeds are from
Jessica directly. A wonderful tomato. The big star in my garden last year. The closest
i've come to a 10. We gave it a 9.8, since nothing gets a 10.

I consider a 9 outstanding.

Search Girl Girl's and that post will be on the first search page if you want the full 9
page discussion.

Thanks, oakley! I was curious what the founder of the variety had to say.

[Gardeneer]

So that figures. Mutation should be stable.
I will / might grow it next year.
What kind of DTM it has ? Early, Mid , Late ??
I don't care for LATE varieties, no matter what the taste or production.

[Spartanburg123]

Originally Posted by Gardeneer

So that figures. Mutation should be stable.
I will / might grow it next year.
What kind of DTM it has ? Early, Mid , Late ??
I don't care for LATE varieties, no matter what the taste or production.

I'll let you know. I have excellent fruit set, and it was planted on March 12.

I wouldn't miss growing this wonderful plant for anything. What a discovery!

[Gardeneer]

Originally Posted by Spartanburg123

I'll let you know. I have excellent fruit set, and it was planted on March 12.

I wouldn't miss growing this wonderful plant for anything. What a discovery!

March 12 to June 10 is 90 days already !!!
I planted some on/about March 22 . Had ripe tomatoes mid May. One of the is seen in my avatar and the others are IS PL and Ananas Noire , Big Beef. These are beefsteaks I am talking about.
So anyway. Sorry for getting off the track. Lets go back to GGWT issue.
I like the striped skin with nice red meat inside.

[Spartanburg123]

Yes, it's no speed demon. But it's worth the wait IMHO. We munch on Early Girls until the big 'uns come in

[Spartanburg123]

Originally Posted by Gardeneer

March 12 to June 10 is 90 days already !!!
I planted some on/about March 22 . Had ripe tomatoes mid May. One of the is seen in my avatar and the others are IS PL and Ananas Noire , Big Beef. These are beefsteaks I am talking about.
So anyway. Sorry for getting off the track. Lets go back to GGWT issue.
I like the striped skin with nice red meat inside.

Let me check my dates, Gardeneer. I thought you planted out right before me, and there were a few scary nights of freezing up your way. I'll have to check my picture dates. Stay tuned...