Artisan Seeds photos

[Fred Hempel]

That is a very nice Marzano Fire photo!

[moray-eel-bite]

Feel free to use it elsewhere if you want. I can send you a full size copy.

[clara]

If "Taste" is only half as delicious as Blush is, then I'll have two of your varieties on my "eternal list"!

[Barb_FL]

I have either Jazz or Orange Jazz just starting to blush right now. Color of fruit is a little funky but should change within the next couple of days. There are about 10 fruits on the plant with barely any foliage. One of the fruits is HUGE.

Plant was one of 2 left over from the summer/fall. The other plant was a Big Beef Hybrid which also looks horrible and has over 15 tomatoes.

I planted a bunch of Jazz/O Jazz for spring time. They definitely did not like starting in the heat last fall or was it the white flies?

I will post pictures once the fruit looks nice. Come to think of it we ate one already and it was Jazz and delicious.

[Fred Hempel]

Jazz, which is pink, is really big. The biggest tomato we have developed, by far.

Like other beefsteaks, flavor varies between fruits, but some always seem to be very good.

Unfortunately, it is susceptible to Verticillium and to white-fly spread Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl virus. So is Orange Jazz.

We are working on similar new varieties that have better resistance. They are still a few years off.

[Fred Hempel]

Taste is very good. We developed it a few years ago, with a chef at Taste Catering in San Francisco.

Our top lines turned out to have low productivity though, and so we went back and re-selected for plants with "Taste" flavor, but better productivity.

When I see it growing in Mexico later this week, I will know if it is ready to release or not. I'm crossing my fingers.

Originally Posted by clara

If "Taste" is only half as delicious as Blush is, then I'll have two of your varieties on my "eternal list"!

[habitat_gardener]

Originally Posted by Fred Hempel

Habitat,

Did you rescue your Saluki too?

Sarabi was a street dog, for an unknown period, in Dubai. I assume, however, that originally she had very loving owners because she is very affectionate, and even uses here "hands" show it.

She does not get along with other dogs well though. I assume because of some tough times living in the streets.

Daisy belonged to my housemates. She followed one of them home on a rainy day, they tracked down the breeder/owner, and it turned out the owner did not want her back! By that time, Daisy had "wormed her way into their hearts" even though she ate the windowsills while they were at work. They solved that problem by keeping the bedroom door open so she could sleep on the bed during the day. They also had a beagle mix and a cat, both of whom Daisy got along with, but they were careful to keep her away from other cats. The whole menagerie came with them when they drove from NJ to CA.

When Daisy had a toy or treat she wanted to save for later, she'd "bury" it in the middle of the living room by making burying motions with her muzzle.

The other dog was an escape artist, and Daisy was her loyal follower. About once a month or so, we'd go looking for them, and it was easy to track them down because people noticed the pair of them.

[Barb_FL]

What a difference 2 days makes:

The last tomato on this plant started the same color, but turned into a beautiful striped vivid orange-pink. It occurred duing our coldest weather.

These look ready to pick.

[BigVanVader]

Is that multi-lobed shape the norm for OJ?

[Fred Hempel]

That looks like Yellow Jazz (which does have that lousy shape frequently).

Orange Jazz is much more consistently rounded, and it typically has a nice blossom end too.

Yellow Jazz needs work. Which is why we are not selling seed for the variety.

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

Is that multi-lobed shape the norm for OJ?

[Fred Hempel]

Just back from Mexico, and there will be photos... within the next week.

Lots of exciting fruits, and we made some leaps forward with regard to productivity and disease resistance this year.

[heirloomtomaguy]

Look forward to them Fred!

[NarnianGarden]

Awww. Can one place an order for the dog?

[Barb_FL]

Originally Posted by Fred Hempel

Just back from Mexico, and there will be photos... within the next week.

Lots of exciting fruits, and we made some leaps forward with regard to productivity and disease resistance this year.

Bring on the disease resistance varieties - I'm ready.

I picked those 2 fruits too early; only ate one and letting the other change colors inside the house. Here is one changing color still on the vine. It has the beginnings of the beautiful one I mentioned earlier.

[Fred Hempel]

Catch my wife on the right day, and she'll pay you to take it.

Originally Posted by NarnianGarden

Awww. Can one place an order for the dog?