Tomato - Orange Fleshed Purple Smudge

OH This tomato seems to have originated in the USA, it was first donated to the USDA seed bank by Texas A&M University in 1963, and was first listed in the Seed Savers Yearbook in 1984. The seeds we grew out were gifted to us by Jenny Freemantle, a Wairarapa seed saver. It is the only tomato showing a true purple colour before the breeding programs for the blue tomatoes took off in 2012. The purple coloration is the result of the anthocyanin pigment in the skin, which becomes more prominent with light exposure and temperature fluctuations. Blue tomatoes are different from Black tomatoes (Black Krim etc) in pigment and how the colour is produced. This tomato produces medium sized fruit with vibrant tangerine-orange skin and flesh with purple splashes on the shoulder as they ripen. The flesh is meaty with minimal seeds, and its mild, sweet flavour is well balanced with low acid levels. Tastes great fresh as a sandwich slicer or in salads, but also works well for saucing. Indeterminate, prolific cropper.

Sow in August into trays in a glasshouse. Keep soil temp above 18°C for ideal germination. Prick out when true leaves appear to 4cm diagonal spacing. Pot on to small pots to further develop roots. Transplant after last frost to 40cm diagonal spacing into fertile ground in direct sun. Stake and de-lateral as needed.

15 seeds.