Porter/Porter's Pride -- Lost Varieties?!

[jdwhitaker]

Being from West Texas, Porter and Porter's Pride have always been two of my favorite varieties. They were developed in this area specifically for our conditions.

4 years ago all my Porter's Pride tomatoes turned out to be Porter, the smaller oval tomato. I chalked it up to a mistake on my part. Next year, same thing. I again blamed myself as this was seed I had saved. I then ordered seed from Wilhite--same thing occurred! Last year I planted Porter's Pride from seed obtained from Tomato Growers Supply--again I got the small egg shaped tomato identical to what is sold as Porter.

This year I am growing 6 plants labeled as Porter's Pride, and have 6 more seedlings started from a different source (Reimers). Of the spring planted tomatoes, only one appears to be round (they are marble-sized now). This is a plant from my own saved seed. It was my hope that I mixed the two varieties in the same envelope. I have several hundred seeds, but only grow a few each year.

Porter is a different problem entirely. It is being sold as Porter, Improved Porter, Porter Improved, Porter's Dark Cherry, and recently Porter--Charles Herring Strain. All are described as being pink. Problem is, the tomato was always described as being red in the old Porter & Sons catalogs. Porter & Sons shut down in 1994. Have we been growing a different tomato since that time?

Jason

[AlittleSalt]

I grow Porter every year. Stephenville, Texas is around 50 miles away. It is my favorite tomato so far. Porter was developed back in the 1920s by V.O. Porter.

I bought some Porter's Pride (It is Improved Porter) in a six pack this year, and they are growing larger tomatoes than Porter already. They were developed by V.O,'s son Gene Porter in 1953 or 54.

The reason they were called red back then is because they are very red in color. The truth is that they have a clear epidermis like pink tomatoes have - instead of how red varieties have a yellow epidermis. Yes, they are called a pink tomato even though they look red. I think all the different names are due to sellers wanting sell the next new thing - even if it's not. I bought some one year that were supposed to produce a smaller plant - but it didn't. I don't remember the name it was sold as, but it worked because I bought some. The Porter - Charles Herring Strain, I don't know anything about.

I'm sure someone else can describe why. I'm still new to this epidermis thing.

[wormgirl]

This is interesting... Good luck, and keep us updated on how your plants turn out.

[jdwhitaker]

[carolyn137]

Here is the thread about the Charles-Herring Porter strain, it's a long thread that started in 2012 and is now up to 2015 with folks reporting back.

Baz ends up by saying that Tania and one more place I ahem, forgot to remember, are selling seeds for it.

http://tomatoville.com/showthread.ph...Herring+Porter

Carolyn

[Tapout]

Originally Posted by carolyn137

Here is the thread about the Charles-Herring Porter strain, it's a long thread that started in 2012 and is now up to 2015 with folks reporting back.

Baz ends up by saying that Tania and one more place I ahem, forgot to remember, are selling seeds for it.

http://tomatoville.com/showthread.ph...Herring+Porter

Carolyn

I grew Charles Herring Porter strain a few years ago and the plants grew pretty vigorously, but as far as the size of the tomatoes is concerned they were smaller then expected. I had a low germination rate as well. I remember he said he was working on getting the germination rate higher if I recall right. Over all its a real easy plant to grow.

[OldHondaNut]

Originally Posted by jdwhitaker

4 years ago all my Porter's Pride tomatoes turned out to be Porter, the smaller oval tomato. I chalked it up to a mistake on my part. Next year, same thing. I again blamed myself as this was seed I had saved. I then ordered seed from Wilhite--same thing occurred! Last year I planted Porter's Pride from seed obtained from Tomato Growers Supply--again I got the small egg shaped tomato identical to what is sold as Porter.

This year I am growing 6 plants labeled as Porter's Pride, and have 6 more seedlings started from a different source (Reimers). Of the spring planted tomatoes, only one appears to be round (they are marble-sized now). This is a plant from my own saved seed. It was my hope that I mixed the two varieties in the same envelope. I have several hundred seeds, but only grow a few each year.

Porter is a different problem entirely. It is being sold as Porter, Improved Porter, Porter Improved, Porter's Dark Cherry, and recently Porter--Charles Herring Strain. All are described as being pink. Problem is, the tomato was always described as being red in the old Porter & Sons catalogs. Porter & Sons shut down in 1994. Have we been growing a different tomato since that time?

Jason

I bought some seed from Willhite about 4 or 5 years ago, both Porter and Porters Pride. PP was 4 ounces, my Porter was 1 or 1.5 ounces.

The Porter was my keeper and I have been saving seed for it. What I hear from you is that I best find my old PP and grow it and save it too as it might help save it.

It will be fall before I can start.

[sjamesNorway]

Just a note (not an endorsement): A search shows TomatoFest lists both Porter and Porter's Pride seeds.

Steve

[OldHondaNut]

I have my seed pack from Willhite that created the 4 ounce round reds and it has about 200 seeds. The test date is 11-07 and I don't know if that is 2007 or 2011. And it is labeled "PORTER IMP."

Back in the day I thought it was Porter's Pride or Improved Porter, 2 names for the same seed. Neither being PORTER IMP but I can tell it is the same as before. It is the Porter that seems to no longer match the old "pullet" egg size but that is another story.

[jdwhitaker]

I was always under the impression that Porter's Pride and Improved Porter were one and the same-- the 3-4 oz round red tomato. Hopefully you have the correct variety.

[OldHondaNut]

Originally Posted by jdwhitaker

I was always under the impression that Porter's Pride and Improved Porter were one and the same-- the 3-4 oz round red tomato. Hopefully you have the correct variety.

That has always been my understanding. So what is Porter Imp.? Pretty good bet it is Improved Porter and likely mislabeled. It now becomes a third name for the same.

[AlittleSalt]

I have not read the link about Charles-Herring Porter strain that Carolyn posted yet. I made a shortcut to it though, and will read it Friday after our young grandchildren have gone home. Lol, I had to stop typing to get some pickles for our 5 year old grandchild, and then we played hide and seek with grandma (My beautiful wife)

I have read countless times that Porter's Pride and Improved Porter are the same thing. I don't know what Porter Imp. is? It would be nice if there are other varieties of Porter.

I plan on growing some Porter crosses when I get to that point in learning about tomatoes.

[jdwhitaker]

There were several other Porter varieties many years ago:
http://allthingsplants.com/plants/se...tomato&button=
(Thanks to Mike at Victory Seeds for leading me to this info)

Unfortunately, all are probably long lost except the two most of us are familiar with.

[OldHondaNut]

Porterhouse is unrelated and still available.

I would like to try the yellow Porter in the link. You are right, it is probably lost.

I plant the Porters Dark Cherry and I remember where that one came from - Bonnie. I would argue with much of what is in that database. PDC is pink, regular Porter is red. Porter plants are compact, PDC is vining.

[mdvpc]

When I was in El Paso, I grew Porters Dark Cherry, and it came true. I cannot remember where I got the seed from. I also grew Porters Pride and that came true also. They grew well in El Paso, and I had a good harvest from them. Not the greatest tasting, but were good.