Raya Rey

[Fred Hempel]

We have decided to release a new OP Beefsteak called Raya Rey for the New Year!

We have been growing this tomato for a long time. It has been a staple in our mixed medium and mixed "heirloom" boxes for years.

In the winter of 2014/2015 the line was still segregating and we were able to select plants that were TYLCV resistant in the field of our collaborators at Heirloom Farms near Todos Santos, Mexico.

Additional selections for plant performance (disease resistance and vigor) were made at The Chef's Garden in Ohio in open field trials, where it has also been used in their "Toybox" mix.

This tomato was named yesterday -- and the name is a tip of the hat to both Heirloom Farms and The Chef's Garden, as we consider them both tomato-growing royalty. Without them, this variety would not exist.

Raya Rey is an indeterminate OP variety that produces slightly flattened medium-sized fruits starting about 70 days after transplant.

[KarenO]

It’s a gorgeous colour! Stripe King
That’s you
And so My list gets longer ...
Happy new year Fred!
KarenO

[biscuitridge]

Thanks Fred, I'll have to add it to my grow list!

[Fred Hempel]

Originally Posted by KarenO

It’s a gorgeous colour! Stripe King
That’s you
And so My list gets longer ...
Happy new year Fred!
KarenO

Happy New Year!

[Fred Hempel]

Early returns on Raya Rey are good. Growing well in southeast and it is a monster again in our field. The Raya Rey row is one you would think is a hybrid at first glance because of the vigor.

[KarenO]

A Beauty of a tomato Fred,
We really enjoyed it. Nice firm fruit, great taste, healthy productive plant and just a beautiful colour
“ king of stripes”
KarenO

[Fred Hempel]

Very nice photo!

[Fred Hempel]

I don't think Raya Rey is a beefsteak.

More of a flattened medium. Also does not have the dispersed locules that I consider a key beefsteak trait.

But flavor is great, and works well cut into quarters or eighths used in salads.

Sorry for any confusion.