Porter/Porter's Pride -- Lost Varieties?! - Page 2

drbobintx · May 22, 2015

I applied for USDA Porter seeds (several varieties) from the 1960s this winter, but never heard back, so I'm guessing I wasn't approved.

These seeds are intended for research purposes, so I suppose I could have abused my university affiliation (although I'm not in a field even remotely related to horticulture), but I didn't feel like being dishonest. I know other seed growers have acquired USDA seeds in the past. Is there a special strategy for this?

AlittleSalt · May 22, 2015

I found Porter's Dark Cherry at http://www.amazon.com/Porters-Cherry.../dp/B00F9Q8JYO

There are other sites listing them, and they are a lot smaller than any I've ever grown.

jdwhitaker · May 22, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by drbobintx

I applied for USDA Porter seeds (several varieties) from the 1960s this winter, but never heard back, so I'm guessing I wasn't approved.

These seeds are intended for research purposes, so I suppose I could have abused my university affiliation (although I'm not in a field even remotely related to horticulture), but I didn't feel like being dishonest. I know other seed growers have acquired USDA seeds in the past. Is there a special strategy for this?

I think if you actually used the seeds for research, then it wouldn't be dishonest at all.

drbobintx · May 23, 2015

I gave them a brief research outline with a trial study for heatset tomato growouts, but I used my home address and didn't leverage my position, just to see what would happen. It didn't work. I was more than willing to document the process, but I guess they have no way of validating that.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fusion_power · May 24, 2015

It helps if you have a website and a legitimate seed/plant production business. I have never been denied any seed from ARS-Grin. On the other hand, I've never abused the privilege and I always make a point of using the seed for legitimate purposes.

OldHondaNut · June 2, 2015

Here is the size of the Porter that I am growing. Compared to a Gardeners Delight Cherry, the Porter is about 1/2 larger. A red GD on the left, a green Porter on the right. Porter is not considered a cherry even though it is small. I suppose those that cook sauce with them do not peel. Mine are usually eaten with salads.

drbobintx · June 9, 2015

Look what arrived today! USDA came through after 6 months. Not sure if I can get germination of these old seeds in time for plant out.

wormgirl · June 9, 2015

Wow, congratulations!! I was hoping it was just taking a very long time. Could you grow them for your fall season? Maybe send some to someone else as backup?

pauldavid · June 9, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by drbobintx

Look what arrived today! USDA came through after 6 months. Not sure if I can get germination of these old seeds in time for plant out.

Thats cool, I had A feeling that you would get them eventually.

Redbaron · June 9, 2015

Good Deal!

swellcat · July 24, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by drbobintx

Look what arrived today! USDA came through after 6 months. Not sure if I can get germination of these old seeds in time for plant out.

Any germination?

OldHondaNut · July 24, 2016

Missed it was a re-post.

Gardeneer · July 24, 2016

So , what is the verdict ?

swellcat · July 25, 2016

Looks as though DrBob has been on hiatus since 2 July 2015.

volare71 · March 1, 2018

Porter Improved:
I found this variety, an old pack of Seeds of Change, and germinated them this year before I knew what they were. The Porter improved seeds were the most vigorous this spring in our green house so I have some hope that they will help solve my tomato problem
I have been looking for a variety that will tolerate the intense June heat here in the Verde Valley (34.56 lat.) Our problem is that as soon as the blossoms set the intense heat comes and we get no production until fall.
I have had some success with Oaxacan Pink tomatoes and am enthusiastic about the Porter Improved. I will save seed and report my success or lack of it on the forum. Stay tuned.

June 9, 2015	#22
drbobintx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 20	Look what arrived today! USDA came through after 6 months. Not sure if I can get germination of these old seeds in time for plant out. Last edited by drbobintx; June 9, 2015 at 01:11 AM.

June 9, 2015	#23
wormgirl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 245	Wow, congratulations!! I was hoping it was just taking a very long time. Could you grow them for your fall season? Maybe send some to someone else as backup? __________________ Jenn

June 9, 2015	#25
Redbaron Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,488	Good Deal! __________________ Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture

July 24, 2016	#28
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,909	So , what is the verdict ? __________________ Gardeneer Happy Gardening !

May 22, 2015	#16
drbobintx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 20	I applied for USDA Porter seeds (several varieties) from the 1960s this winter, but never heard back, so I'm guessing I wasn't approved. These seeds are intended for research purposes, so I suppose I could have abused my university affiliation (although I'm not in a field even remotely related to horticulture), but I didn't feel like being dishonest. I know other seed growers have acquired USDA seeds in the past. Is there a special strategy for this?

May 22, 2015	#17
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I found Porter's Dark Cherry at http://www.amazon.com/Porters-Cherry.../dp/B00F9Q8JYO There are other sites listing them, and they are a lot smaller than any I've ever grown.

May 23, 2015	#19
drbobintx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 20	I gave them a brief research outline with a trial study for heatset tomato growouts, but I used my home address and didn't leverage my position, just to see what would happen. It didn't work. I was more than willing to document the process, but I guess they have no way of validating that. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

May 24, 2015	#20
Fusion_power Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,250	It helps if you have a website and a legitimate seed/plant production business. I have never been denied any seed from ARS-Grin. On the other hand, I've never abused the privilege and I always make a point of using the seed for legitimate purposes.

June 2, 2015	#21
OldHondaNut Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Zone 8a Posts: 120	Here is the size of the Porter that I am growing. Compared to a Gardeners Delight Cherry, the Porter is about 1/2 larger. A red GD on the left, a green Porter on the right. Porter is not considered a cherry even though it is small. I suppose those that cook sauce with them do not peel. Mine are usually eaten with salads.

July 25, 2016	#29
swellcat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Cowtown, Texas – 7B/8A Posts: 192	Looks as though DrBob has been on hiatus since 2 July 2015.

March 1, 2018	#30
volare71 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Verde Valley, Az. Posts: 13	Porter Improved: I found this variety, an old pack of Seeds of Change, and germinated them this year before I knew what they were. The Porter improved seeds were the most vigorous this spring in our green house so I have some hope that they will help solve my tomato problem I have been looking for a variety that will tolerate the intense June heat here in the Verde Valley (34.56 lat.) Our problem is that as soon as the blossoms set the intense heat comes and we get no production until fall. I have had some success with Oaxacan Pink tomatoes and am enthusiastic about the Porter Improved. I will save seed and report my success or lack of it on the forum. Stay tuned.