Sophie's Choice dwarf

[chilhuacle]

Last year I had Sophie's Choice growing along with several dwarves I used for crosses in my tomato area (New Big Dwarf and Dwarf Champion Improved). Apparently the bees decided I needed a SC dwarf . Of 6 potted up Sophie's Choice plants one is very different from the rest and is very dwarf(ish). Unlike the intentional crosses, this one took several weeks to show its differences. We'll see what happens. I Hope I get SC fruit on a dwarf!

[mdvpc]

Sophie's is a real dwarf-it gets about 6-8 inches maximum in heigth. I am growing one now in my greenhouse-its about 5 inches and is getting ready to open flowers. Its much, much smaller than nbd and dci.

[chilhuacle]

I'll have to look into that. Mine has always been about 2 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide. Never a seedling as small as the one on the right.

[mdvpc]

SESE, where I first got seed says this

Produces large fruit on a small plant only 18 to 24" tall.

Their fruit seemed crossed to me, cause it was just a bad, sickly plant that produced tomatoes, but wasnt worth the effort. I got seed from our friends down under-either Grub or Mantis, and the plant is very healthy and getting ready to open flowers at 5 inches-maybe what I have is not correct. I wont know until I get fruit set, etc. So dont give up on your plant-where did you get your seed originally?

[carolyn137]

OK, I'm the source for Sophie's Choice , seeds from Barry Comden in CA and it has never been a dwarf for me as many times as I've grown it and saved seeds and resown them.

A determinate, yes, but not a dwarf.

So I don't know what's going on with seeds being sold at SESE or elsewise, but I do know Sophie's Choice up close and personal.

[chilhuacle]

Originally Posted by Carolyn

A determinate, yes, but not a dwarf.

Carolyn it's perfect for me as an early. When the main crop kicks in SC is just about finished and I love the tomatoes.

Originally Posted by mdvpc

So dont give up on your plant-where did you get your seed originally?

At this point I don’t remember what the original source was. I’m thinking either Appalachian Seeds orSouthern Exposure. The seeds I used this year were saved from last year. I grow this as my early tomato every year and I’ve always gotten the same plants with excellent tomatoes. I’ll post info on what ever turns up on the small one.

[mdvpc]

I just measured the sophie's I have growing in the greenhouse-its 7 inches tall right now and is opening flowers. So I dont know what is going on either.

[mdvpc]

Here is a photo of my plant-its opening flowers.

[Tomstrees]

Looks very cool Mdvpc !

Tom

[mdvpc]

My Sophie's has taken off-its 18 inches tall and has about 6 fruit set already-the biggest about the size of my thumb. Maybe I have the real thing after all.

[chilhuacle]

It looks like the same leaves as on my plant. I'll have to get a picture, compare it, and and post it.

[korney19]

My Sophie's Choice have always been about knee-high.

[gwnorth]

My Sophie's Choice - first time growing them - are very low, hugging the ground, basically.