Two Purple Russians?

PNW_D · August 11, 2006

I am growing Purple Russian this year, and it seems to me there are two separate varieties out there with the same name

Just curious what everyone is growing as PR?

Here are a few pictures:

Jeff Nekola’s original picture of the fruit:

And a UK site (sorry can’t remember which):

Mine (received seed in trade) look like the UK pics. Jeff’s look to be a pink/black whereas the others look red/black. If anyone has seed for Jeff’s original, I would be happy to trade.

Haven’t tasted mine yet, but some are starting to colour up now – so they are mid-early (here in PNW early August is mid-early!!). My two plants are very healthy with great production. Taste test report to come shortly

moulman · August 11, 2006

Well, seeing as how your weather is probably close to what they enjoy in the U.K. , that is to say not real hot & humid, etc. it is not surprising that the color is "less purple" than it would be in a hotter climate.

Deeper colors in Blacks/Purples is associated with more heat/sun.

PNW_D · August 11, 2006

Moulman,

My location here on the coast seems to be the exception to the rule re colouring of tomatoes vs. heat. I have grown a lot of black tomatoes, and have found them all to colour up on the darker side.

Here is one sample from my 2003 grow out

I will report on skin colour shortly. Pink/Black = clear; Red/Black = yellow.

moulman · August 11, 2006

Love the color of that Nyagous. Are you in a marine influenced climate?

Those are nice and dark, darker than anything grown 'round here.

Hmmm.

evan1 · August 12, 2006

My Purple Russian's resemble the Original.

**nctomatoman** · August 12, 2006

Purple Russian should be a pink/black, same color as Cherokee Purple and Black from Tula. Irregular in shape and size - from elongated blunt Opalka shape (but not quite so long) to a few nearly oblate (Bisignano #2 does this variable shape thing as well).

The pic on the UK site is not right - they have a cross or mix up.

Tania · August 14, 2006

D., I have the real thing - let me know if you need seeds... It is purple/black.

sorry, it is not a good picture - I'll get another shot at it once another ripe fruit shows up...

**nctomatoman** · August 14, 2006

That's it! A really nice tomato.

feldon30 · August 14, 2006

I saved seeds from a Purple Russian I got from a farmer's market. It looked like that. Hoping it comes true.

PNW_D · August 22, 2006

Well, I’ve now taste tested a few of my Purple Russian toms – and they are pink/black almost identical in colour to my own Salmon’s PL Black ………

What I found interesting was the side of the fruit facing the sun was much lighter (more of an orange look - sunscald?), however they felt ripe, and when turned over had this beautiful colour.

I have two plants; one’s fruit is sweeter. While the taste is not a blockbuster, this variety offers high production, healthy fruit and plant, and mid-early ripening. Thank you for the offer Tania, but looks like I have the real deal after all.

PNW_D · August 22, 2006

Oops,

Meant to post the sliced pic showing clear skin ........

August 11, 2006	#1
PNW_D Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Coast, Canada Posts: 961	Two Purple Russians? I am growing Purple Russian this year, and it seems to me there are two separate varieties out there with the same name Just curious what everyone is growing as PR? Here are a few pictures: Jeff Nekola’s original picture of the fruit: And a UK site (sorry can’t remember which): Mine (received seed in trade) look like the UK pics. Jeff’s look to be a pink/black whereas the others look red/black. If anyone has seed for Jeff’s original, I would be happy to trade. Haven’t tasted mine yet, but some are starting to colour up now – so they are mid-early (here in PNW early August is mid-early!!). My two plants are very healthy with great production. Taste test report to come shortly __________________ D.

August 11, 2006	#3
PNW_D Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Coast, Canada Posts: 961	Moulman, My location here on the coast seems to be the exception to the rule re colouring of tomatoes vs. heat. I have grown a lot of black tomatoes, and have found them all to colour up on the darker side. Here is one sample from my 2003 grow out I will report on skin colour shortly. Pink/Black = clear; Red/Black = yellow. __________________ D.

August 11, 2006	#4
moulman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 68	Nice. Love the color of that Nyagous. Are you in a marine influenced climate? Those are nice and dark, darker than anything grown 'round here. Hmmm. __________________ No one ever learned a thing while they were talking.

August 12, 2006	#6
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Purple Russian should be a pink/black, same color as Cherokee Purple and Black from Tula. Irregular in shape and size - from elongated blunt Opalka shape (but not quite so long) to a few nearly oblate (Bisignano #2 does this variable shape thing as well). The pic on the UK site is not right - they have a cross or mix up. __________________ Craig

August 14, 2006	#7
Tania Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anmore, BC, Canada Posts: 3,970	D., I have the real thing - let me know if you need seeds... It is purple/black. sorry, it is not a good picture - I'll get another shot at it once another ripe fruit shows up... __________________ Tatiana's TOMATObase

August 11, 2006	#2
moulman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 68	Purp Russian Well, seeing as how your weather is probably close to what they enjoy in the U.K. , that is to say not real hot & humid, etc. it is not surprising that the color is "less purple" than it would be in a hotter climate. Deeper colors in Blacks/Purples is associated with more heat/sun. __________________ No one ever learned a thing while they were talking.

August 12, 2006	#5
evan1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NJ Z6 Posts: 12	My Purple Russian's resemble the Original.

August 14, 2006	#8
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	That's it! A really nice tomato. __________________ Craig

August 14, 2006	#9
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	I saved seeds from a Purple Russian I got from a farmer's market. It looked like that. Hoping it comes true. __________________ [SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I]

August 22, 2006	#10
PNW_D Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Coast, Canada Posts: 961	Well, I’ve now taste tested a few of my Purple Russian toms – and they are pink/black almost identical in colour to my own Salmon’s PL Black ……… What I found interesting was the side of the fruit facing the sun was much lighter (more of an orange look - sunscald?), however they felt ripe, and when turned over had this beautiful colour. I have two plants; one’s fruit is sweeter. While the taste is not a blockbuster, this variety offers high production, healthy fruit and plant, and mid-early ripening. Thank you for the offer Tania, but looks like I have the real deal after all. __________________ D.