Purple to the core carrot

[uno]

I just wanted to see if anyone knew what variety the completely purple carrot in this link is?

http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/e...ple/index.html



Thanks

Jim

[cosmicgardener]

Jim, I tried Cosmic Purple last year but only managed a few puny carrots. I'm going for Purple Dragon which looks a lot sturdier next spring. Seeds of Cosmic Purple from Eden Seeds and Kings Seeds have Purple Dragon which is supposedly a 1000 year old heirloom. The variety in the picture looks too smooth to be either of these.

www.edenseeds.com.au
www.kingsseeds.com.au

Cosmic

[Raymondo]

Hmmm...the article says that the purple carrots retain their orange centres, so, either that's a mistake and there is an all purple carrot or the picture has been 'touched up'.
I've only grown Purple Dragon and they have orange/yellow centres. Lubyana is a lovely all yellow carrot by the way.

[Spatzbear]

I like Purple Dragon. Lovely taste, groovy colour. Orange core.
So definitely not purple through and through.

Cosmic, if you haven't ordered the seeds yet, I can pass some on to you, if you like.

[Rena]

I was reading a children's book on gardening and they said most ALL carrots used to be purple but the orange became more popular due to the fact the purple carrots turned brown when you cooked them. It was a visual issue.

[Spatzbear]

That's interesting. Just tried to remember whether my Purple Dragons did turn brown when cooked, and realized we always ate them raw. Must sow more and then try to cook them.

[phreddy]

You might like to know that here in Malaysia one can buy Purple Carrot juice. I will look for the seeds.

[cdntomato]

Purple Dragon is NOT a heirloom, let alone 1000 yo. Wonderful and dedicated breeder American Dr John Navazio developed it.

Why this urge to connect new carrot varieties with heirlooms? I've seen most of the relatively recently developed 'cosmic' line associated (falsely) with other older varieties, particularly the Lunar White. Heavy sigh. Let's please acknowledge, credit and support modern breeders.

I have seed for point of origin breeding lines from Afghanistan and Turkey: red,purple, black. I'll report back but suspect the product might be best suited to fodder.

Google for the History of Carrots site. It's quite enlightening and entertaining.

Will be interested in hearing about the Malaysian carrots!

Jennifer

[cosmicgardener]

Yikes - all I did was quote the seed seller

Spatz I had so little success with the cosmic ( no relative of mine ) variety that I think I'll stick with ordinary carrots.

cosmic

[Raymondo]

Thanks for the heads up Jennifer, though looking back over the thread, no-one mentioned the word 'heirloom'. I'd be very interested to hear what those Afghani/Turkish carrots are like. I love the idea of a truly red carrot.
Cosmic, I too like the Purple Dragon carrots. They have a spicy sweetness to them, almost a pepper undertone. A couple of others here have tried them but had very poor germination so have gone off them. I don't know why, but I had no problem with them. I suspect it may have been due to a certain planting guide that I use

[Spatzbear]

Originally Posted by Raymondo

I suspect it may have been due to a certain planting guide that I use

Yeah, Ray, that's a beauty. Cosmic, you should try it some time. *hides grin* It really works for me, too. Even though I can't keep up with the sowing required to satisfy our carrot needs.

I have been trying all kinds of varieties and all work well. Might have just been a bad season. Try again.

It would still be interesting to see whether there is a carrot that is purple through and through.

[cdntomato]

Sorry, sorry, Cosmic, I wasn't in any way referring to you. My apologies. I meant the numerous seed sellers (and not just the ones you've cited) and their sometimes questionable research and marketing schemes to unsuspecting customers.

Yes, Spatz, the ones I have are coloured through and through, according to the organizations from which I received the seeds. Will keep you posted.

Jennifer

[phreddy]

Originally Posted by cdntomato

Will be interested in hearing about the Malaysian carrots!

Jennifer

Have only seen the common old red jobs so far, not a lot of seeds for anything.
Might be that I am in Penang a tourist centre mostly.
I continue looking