Chocolate Stripes
 

What's the history of this tomato? I tried searching around but haven't uncovered anything.

A couple of small seed sellers state that this was red by Al Anderson of Troy, Ohio, and inntroduced by him via Seed Savers Exchange in 2008.

[quote=bmerryman;169296]What's the history of this tomato? I tried searching around but haven't uncovered anything.[/quote]


It's not a legacy tomato, as in those varieties that are much older varieties, either family or commercial heirlooms. But here's what I know from looking at Anderson's explanation from the SSE YEarbook.

It was first offered to SSE members in the SSE 2007 Yearbook by Anderson but he just introduced it, he was not the person who either bred it or in whose garden it appeared initially by Cross pollination; that person was John Siegel , also of Ohio as is Anderson and Ansderson has introduced severa varieties from Siegel.. He states that it was a cross between Schimmig Craig and a pink and he doesn't say if it was an accidental cross or a deliberate one. perhaps Siegel didn't tell him that.

I haven't grown it and don't intend to for various reasons, but I'm shaking my head as to how the fruits have the color that's described for it knowing what S Craig looks like b'c I've grown it and knowing that pink fruited varieties are pink. Ah well, I guess we'll never know for sure.

So that's Chocolate Stripes, not an heirloom, not a legacy variety, but OP, either from an accidental X pollination or a deliberate one, but I'm betting on the former.;)

[URL]http://t.tatianastomatobase.com:88/wiki/Chocolate_Stripes[/URL]

Above is a link to Tania's Tomato data base for this variety. It's a MUST to have this wonderful website in your faves. When you're through reading that page go to the upper left and click on HOME and then save the site to your faves. Tania lists over 3,000 varieties of tomatoes, most with pictures, histories where known as well as seed sources, if there are ones, for each variety. Notice the different ways that you can search for variety information. I prefer to use the alphabetical way myself.

[URL]http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=chocolate+stripes+tomato&aq=f&aqi=g1g-v3&aql=&oq[/URL]=

Above is a general Google search for this variety which also gives much information but mainly for seed sources and the like. And since some of those seed sites are owned by SSE members there's information they have from the SSE YEarbooks themselves.

Hope that helps.

If anyone wants to try it I have almost a full pack of seeds from last year that are available for SASE! 'Cause that horrendous disease magnet is NEVER going back in MY garden... not worth the risk!!! Not that I ever got an actual tomato from it... it just attracted the diseases.

Wow!
Now I am actually a bit leery to try this one again.
I grew a couple last year. One went to a co-worker of my wife's.
The other one grew fine in my garden but was NOT a good producer. The nearby Radiator Charlier was the one that got all diseased and bug infested.
I was actually going to give the Chocolate Stripe the benefit of the doubt because I didn't have it in the best location. I was going to give it a much better, sunnier location this summer.
I have so many others to grow so if I pass on it, I won't be upset.

What's so funny is that my wife's friend said it was the best tasting tomato in his garden.

Maybe he was growing hybrids from the local nurseries?/puke

[quote=BigBrownDogHouse;196610]Wow!
Now I am actually a bit leery to try this one again.
I grew a couple last year. One went to a co-worker of my wife's.
The other one grew fine in my garden but was NOT a good producer. The nearby Radiator Charlier was the one that got all diseased and bug infested.
I was actually going to give the Chocolate Stripe the benefit of the doubt because I didn't have it in the best location. I was going to give it a much better, sunnier location this summer.
I have so many others to grow so if I pass on it, I won't be upset.

What's so funny is that my wife's friend said it was the best tasting tomato in his garden.[/quote]

Eeeek! Don't be leery b/c of me! I probably shouldn't have posted that!:o Last year was my first year growing ANYTHING, ever!!! It was a great learning experience! In other words; one disaster after another!;)And even [B][I]if[/I][/B] my experience is an accurate predictor of future problems[B][I] I[/I][/B] could expect from this variety, we are in such different climates! If I had to guess I would say that it doesn't tolerate combined heat and humidity.

[quote=lurley;196615]Maybe he was growing hybrids from the local nurseries?/puke[/quote]

Good point! That's funny!

Actually, I had grown so many plants in the past that my wife supplied a bunch of people at her workplace with tomatoes. Everyone would get 2-3-4 heirloom plants. It was kind of the talk that no one had to go out and buy tomato plants.
This year I am just not doing that anymore.

Plus, that dude actually got fired come to think of it....

[quote=shlacm;196616] I would say that it doesn't tolerate combined heat and humidity.[/quote]

You know what though....that describes Illinois perfectly in the summer. Hot and very HUMID.
Last summer was definitely hotter than 2009 around here.. I do remember that.

I'll probably try it again. I think you have to give every tomato two growing seasons if that first year isn't a good one.

I grew Chocolate Stripes last year and found it to be a vigorous grower which had set 20 fruits by 7/1. About 50% of the fruits were catfaced early, it had trouble setting fruit in the heat, and the fruits were variable in taste tests- none bad, just some better than others, and I actually liked it most of the time, which is unusual! :lol: The pretty fruits were very pretty. It was attacked by aphids once, but then had no problems until Early Blight started to affect most all the plants. Just my experience. Oh, and it doesn't get too much hotter and more humid than it was in my area last summer.

[quote=carolyn137;196553]I haven't grown it and don't intend to for various reasons, but I'm shaking my head as to how the fruits have the color that's described for it knowing what S Craig looks like b'c I've grown it and knowing that pink fruited varieties are pink. Ah well, I guess we'll never know for sure.

So that's Chocolate Stripes, not an heirloom, not a legacy variety, but OP, either from an accidental X pollination or a deliberate one, but I'm betting on the former.;)
[/quote]

I'm wondering why you're betting on a bee cross, when the person who introduced it said SC x "a pink fruited" variety. How would he know it was a pink fruited variety if a bee did the crossing?

I also wonder why it couldn't be SC x pink since the pink could be a striped variety as well, something like Pink Tie Dye, thereby donating even more pronounced striping that SC donated.

But then, I'm like you. I always question and wonder more than accept verbatim. :yes:

[quote=travis;196678]I'm wondering why you're betting on a bee cross, when the person who introduced it said SC x "a pink fruited" variety. How would he know it was a pink fruited variety if a bee did the crossing?

I also wonder why it couldn't be SC x pink since the pink could be a striped variety as well, something like Pink Tie Dye, thereby donating even more pronounced striping that SC donated.

But then, I'm like you. I always question and wonder more than accept verbatim. :yes:[/quote]

I always question, as you do.

So where are the dark genes coming from? Not SC. A "pink". A 'striped pink", all possibilities but Al Anderson has introduced several varieties from Fred Siegel, and well, I mean, ahem, Al, whom I don't know, hasn't always gotten everything right even with known varieties.:(

I'm actually more interested in the origin of what led to the mahogany color than I am with any striping, but you already know that about me from posts made here and there.:)

[quote=carolyn137;196687]

I'm actually more interested in the origin of what led to the mahogany color than I am with any striping, but you already know that about me from posts made here and there.:)[/quote]

I don't know. Is Schmoozo Who, or whatever it's called, a clear skin or yellow skin thing? If clear skinned red fleshed, and the unnamed, so-called pink actually was a mahogony type like Cherokee Purple, then the F1 bee cross would've been pink, and the viewer may have thought the mystery parent was pink, when in fact it was mahogony as the subsequent grow out showed. But then I don't know anything about Schmoozo Who, so I can't really say. Besides, I don't really care! :no:

[quote=travis;196706]I don't know. Is Schmoozo Who, or whatever it's called, a clear skin or yellow skin thing? If clear skinned red fleshed, and the unnamed, so-called pink actually was a mahogony type like Cherokee Purple, then the F1 bee cross would've been pink, and the viewer may have thought the mystery parent was pink, when in fact it was mahogony as the subsequent grow out showed. But then I don't know anything about Schmoozo Who, so I can't really say. Besides, I don't really care! :no:[/quote]

Sch___________Creg is red with orange stripes, and as I remember it can be kinda hollow and not very tasty either. So epi is yellow.

Bred by Tom Wagner.

I don't care either. I just want them to come this weekend and get the snow and ice off my roof before the next big storm expected mid-week.

The original poster wanted to know the history behind Chocolate Stripes so that's what I tried to provide, but getting down to the details of which varieties, directed cross, natural cross, whatever, is a bit beyond the general history, as I see it, especially when at least you and I have some questions about the parentage.;)

I've eaten a couple of chocolate stripes' from different gardens that were delicious and beautiful. The interior of both had pinkish interiors for what its worth.

That's interesting.
This will be my fourth year growing Chocolate Stripes and I've found it to be vigorous and essentially no maintenance. I haven't had disease problems with it and I've found the fruits to be delicious. They are gorgeous on a plate too!

[IMG]http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p22/stacyp9/PrettyChocolateStripes.jpg[/IMG]

I've grown Chocolate Stripe for 2 yrs now and have had very good luck with it. Last year, it was one of my healthiest plants and kept putting out gorgeous tasty tomatoes. In fact, just last week, DH and I ate the last of our fresh tomatoes, and Chocolate Stripe was outstanding - in February!

I grew Chocolate Stripes this year, and gave some seedlings away. All agreed it was one of the best tasting tomatoes we've had in years. It did go early with heat, but I'll grow this one every spring and take what I can get.

I have chocolate stripes in the garden this year, but nothing ripe yet. Didn't know it was so buggy. Nice pic, btw. That's either a very small child or some very large tomatoes.

Both Chocolate Stripes and Dark Chocolate Stripes have been very vigorous plants in this my first year of growing them. CS has been very productive. DCS is less productive but larger fruits. The photo is some green and ripening Chocolate Stripes about 3 weeks ago.

I am writing about big and colorful tomatos, and chocolate stripes is one. Did they produce well for you? and, did you eat them by the slice, or as part of a dish?

Chocolate Stripes
 

Been growing Chocolate Stripes for years. It is ONE of my top 10 favorites for our FL winter climate. The warmer the weather, the darker the stripes are. I love the green gel inside as well makes for a pretty cut tomato. It does have an "earthy" taste to it and very juicy and FULL of seeds. I have only had some BER early on this tomato but not many diseases as others have posted. The plant did outgrow the BER later in season. Had some tomatoes close to 1lb this season. I have lots of seeds saved if anyone would like to try them. :)

Just now getting around to read the comments about CHOCOLATE STRIPES. I saved seed from it last year from a fruit given me. I didn't know much about it and now that I read that my creation..SCHIMMEIG CREG....was involved somehow in the pedigree, I had to make a comment or two.

I thought that one of my striped tomatoes was involved but I doubt if a pink tomato was the other parent, one just doesn't get brown/black/chocolate from that source. Crossing a Schimmeig Creg with another brown/black or a green flesh tomato would come up with that coloring that Chocolate Stripes has. The other fact about the striping is that I feel that most of the improved striping of tomatoes came from a single collection I made in Ames, Iowa in the 1960's. The striping of that collection was not good by today's standards and it was improved through the many crosses and recombinations that I made to fix the trait. This improved striping exists in the early varieties I created...Green Zebra, Schimmeig Stoo, Elberta Girl, etc.

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/0R77XhD.png?1[/IMG]

thanks to Heike and Reinhard 2006 Gartentagbuch


Schimmeig Creg was bred for the beauty and firmness and was designed to be a canning tomato on the family farm near Lancaster, Kansas. The flavor was from a selection from the USDA, or make that the seemingly lack of flavor. It was still good enough for what our family needing in canning whole tomatoes, juicing and ketchup. I also was after a type of mechanical harvest friendly tomato....jointless pedicels, thick walls, few locules.....etc.


A cross I would like to make soon is one between Chocolate Stripes and Chocolate Blues..which is unrelated but a chocolate colored stripe with blue shoulders.


Tom Wagner

[QUOTE=Tom Wagner;350968]Just now getting around to read the comments about CHOCOLATE STRIPES. I saved seed from it last year from a fruit given me. I didn't know much about it and now that I read that my creation..SCHIMMEIG CREG....was involved somehow in the pedigree, I had to make a comment or two.

I thought that one of my striped tomatoes was involved but I doubt if a pink tomato was the other parent, one just doesn't get brown/black/chocolate from that source. Crossing a Schimmeig Creg with another brown/black or a green flesh tomato would come up with that coloring that Chocolate Stripes has. The other fact about the striping is that I feel that most of the improved striping of tomatoes came from a single collection I made in Ames, Iowa in the 1960's. The striping of that collection was not good by today's standards and it was improved through the many crosses and recombinations that I made to fix the trait. This improved striping exists in the early varieties I created...Green Zebra, Schimmeig Stoo, Elberta Girl, etc.

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/0R77XhD.png?1[/IMG]

thanks to Heike and Reinhard 2006 Gartentagbuch


Schimmeig Creg was bred for the beauty and firmness and was designed to be a canning tomato on the family farm near Lancaster, Kansas. The flavor was from a selection from the USDA, or make that the seemingly lack of flavor. It was still good enough for what our family needing in canning whole tomatoes, juicing and ketchup. I also was after a type of mechanical harvest friendly tomato....jointless pedicels, thick walls, few locules.....etc.


A cross I would like to make soon is one between Chocolate Stripes and Chocolate Blues..which is unrelated but a chocolate colored stripe with blue shoulders.


Tom Wagner[/QUOTE]

Tom, you don't know the listed SSE members, I don't know all of them either, but I do know Al Anderson, by reputation, and without going into it his reputation is not sterling and I would have some doubt as to what he says, or says someone else has said to him.

I already pointed out above about the pink possible parent, as did Travis I think, no way to get what's being called Chocolate Stripes, dark colored. Maybe your S Creg, I can never spell it, was involved but there have been lots and lots of striped ones around that post dated S. Creg.

I went to Amishland to see what Lisa had posted since I knew that early on many had bought seeds from her for Chocolate Stripes.

I don't know why I did that b'c her site is filled with so many problems as to facts about tomato histories, where she got the seeds from and so much more. And I should know b'c for the past couple of years she's been listing Amish Potato Leaf and Todd County Amish and there are only two people who know the background on that one and that's Doug in MN who got both varieties, sent the seeds to me and we both decided on names for them. So when she says no clear history, etc., she wouldn't have a clue.

But it's typical of her to kind of be inventive. And she's listed many other varieteis that I introduced and when freadining what she says, I just wince.

Sorry for the mini rant but when she initially called Green Grape Eenie Weenie Greenie and Cherokee Purple as Native American,, well, I don't go to the website unless asked to b'c it just upsets me.

Carolyn, rant over.:lol:

So, not I have another Chocolate Stripes questions as to history. I recently purchased 12 tomato seedlings from one of the persons mentioned in one of the above posts, seeds having come from Al Anderson. One of the plants is Golden Stripes, which is supposed to be "the original" Chocolate Stripes.

What is the history of Golden Stripes? anyone know? I bought my Chocolate Stripes seeds directly from Al Anderson, drove up north from where I live and picked them up! He told me he has a grower/farmer and an outlet for selling the seedlings. I've now met that person. His tomato info was interesting, but if reputations are 'foggy' as to the background on some of the tomatoes, I would love to hear what anyone here knows of these 2 tomatoes, which one came first and anything else on the actual history.

And flavor/growth/disease & health issues of Golden Stripes too. I love learning all about my 'little tomato babies'. Can't wait to start eating 'em!

[QUOTE=zeroma;351022]So, not I have another Chocolate Stripes questions as to history. I recently purchased 12 tomato seedlings from one of the persons mentioned in one of the above posts, seeds having come from Al Anderson. One of the plants is Golden Stripes, which is supposed to be "the original" Chocolate Stripes.

What is the history of Golden Stripes? anyone know? I bought my Chocolate Stripes seeds directly from Al Anderson, drove up north from where I live and picked them up! He told me he has a grower/farmer and an outlet for selling the seedlings. I've now met that person. His tomato info was interesting, but if reputations are 'foggy' as to the background on some of the tomatoes, I would love to hear what anyone here knows of these 2 tomatoes, which one came first and anything else on the actual history.

And flavor/growth/disease & health issues of Golden Stripes too. I love learning all about my 'little tomato babies'. Can't wait to start eating 'em![/QUOTE]

Anderson lists Gold ( not Golden) Stripes in the SSE Yearbook, I'll just have to type it out since I don't think Tania or others would have any other info, but didn't check to confirm that.

&&&&&Gold Stripes, 85 days,indet, RL, darker color version of Chocolate Stripes,4-6 oz, dark colors and stripes,very good flavor, from OH SI J 02 ( which means he got the seeds in 2002 from Siegle and is only now listing it.

Anderson gets lots of varieties from Siegle who lists none by himself and is not an SSE listed member .

So I assume that you got your plants from Siegle since his farm is not that far away.

And since you know both Anderson and Siegle there is no way I'm going to make any specific comments about Anderson and reputation as known by quite a few SSE members.

Carolyn

Grew great for me in a greenhouse in a 10 gallon container, taste was super yummy.

Has anyone else had this variety lose its stripes?
I have grown it for two seasons and got one without its stripes this year, it was good too, and also seems to be pretty darn crack resistant.

As for the regular Stripes, I was slightly disappointed with the first couple tomatoes off the vine this season, but it sure did turn around, super yummy again, everyone loves these tomatoes that eats one,and it is a hit at the farmers markets.