Colors muted this year

[eyolf]

On the Benevento thread I posted an image of a pint of home-canned Benevento. Not labelled was a jar containing Copia and one containing Axoychka...all of which generally exhibit various degrees of rosy cores.

20 years ago I traded seeds with Bill Minkey for a variety he called "Chet's Italian Black"; what I grew was likely Tigerella or one similar. I liked it for the bold flavor and continue to grow it. I last saved seeds in 2018; I have plenty for next year, but may have to ferment then. But this year the stripes were muted.

Green Zebra growing in a friend's garden this year looks plain. Pork Chop, Rainbow Jazz Heart exhibit barely visible stripes, as did Marzano Fire. Maglia Rosa tastes good, but was plain. Green Tiger just developed a pale gold blush as ripening advanced.

Conversely, Sherkhan looks even more bold than Tatiana's pictures suggest, and Paquebot's "Martin's Super Roma" looks as good as ever.

Has anyone else noticed reduced...or enhanced color?

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