Big Ben: True to its Name
 

Received seed from Gary Staley from the SSE yearbook who in turn got them from Bill Minkey also a SSE listed member. A Ben Quisenberry variety, true to it's heritage it was RL but due to weather problems here in Germany the plant produced several large fruits of which none ripened on the plant so I had to take them inside to ripen. According to history Big Ben preceded Stump of the World which is the PL version of Big Ben. Here are some pictures taken today. Ami

Thanks for the photos and story. I will be growing Big Ben in 2011 as part of my theme to have a tomato for as many family members as possible. My older son is Ben.

Yeah, it is a nice tomato. In the late 80s, I grew Stump of the World and Big Ben the same year - they were both PL large pinks, with Stump having the better flavor and productivity....and pretty much identical to Brandywine, which I also grew that year. I have a suspicion that there is quite a lot of confusion around these varieties.....with Big Ben being listed as either PL or RL in different sources.

Those look beautiful!

There was an interesting thread awhile ago in which Ben Q's grandson joined the discussion - do you remember that, Craig? I *think* he suggested that Stump and Big Ben were, in fact, the same tomato and that it was originally RL.

I remember that - I believe the grandson said that he got the tomato already named "Stump of the World", but didn't like the name and renamed it "Big Ben".

There was a seed pack containing three varieties which were Big Ben, Mortgage Lifter and Brandywine that Ben gave a friend and said you will know which one is brandywine as it has an unusual leaf shape (meaning PL). So basically Big Ben was RL from the git-go. Ami

I'm confused. I got Stump of the World from Tomatofest last year, but thought it and Big Ben were one and the same. If they are two distinct varieties, where could I obtain Big Ben? If any one has a few extra Big Ben and they are distinct varieties, could you send me a few? Please PM me for address.

Happy Matering,

Paul

Here is a link that may help. Ami

[url]http://www.liseed.org/brandy.html[/url]

[URL]http://tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=7544[/URL]

And here's another link that might help which is a thread from this Legacy Forum where Ben Quisenberry's grandson appeared and made some comments, user name LQ Berry.

I remember that thread. It is interesting, since the grandson says:

Quote:
Grandpa's "Stump of the World" was regular leaf, but he renamed it "Big Ben" because he didn't like the name "Stump of the World".

So, Big Ben is the former Stump of the World (which is regular leaf) and the potato leaf is still known as Stump of the World.
endquote

So if Ben didn't like the name Stump of the World - I wonder who came up with the name.

Looks like a nice, old fashioned, red Ponderosa type Beefsteak. How was the flavor?

Considering the weather, being picked green, and ripening indoors it was very good. If I had grown them last year I'm sure they would have been excellent. Ami