Thanks to Martin's ([mention]Paquebot[/mention] ) generosity of sharing seeds with me, I am growing Prairie Star tomato this year. There has been some confusion on leaf type on some posts and in some listings on SSE, but after exchanging some PMs with Martin, the leaf type is indeed RL and all my seedlings were as such. It is described as a large yellow fruit with pink star, related to Black Krim--to me it is unclear if it is a cross or a mutation. Here are a couple pictures 2 weeks after plant out and 52 days after sowing seed indoors (rainy and cold day here, hence wet leaves).

nobody will ever know how this one came to be. The origin was supposed to be BKX, Black Krim PL, received in a swap. Two seeds grown out and both were RL. Both also produced yellow-red bi-color fruit. Fruit on one was much bigger than the other so only those were saved. More of those seeds planted and then there were a percentage of PL. Both types planted and the RL had larger fruit. One PL even had red fruit. At that point no more PL were saved. This year a tray of 72 seeds were planted and all were RL. Another gardener would like to work with the PL version and I can't get one to work with.

Martin

Thanks so much for the background Martin, great to know. I'm excited for it. Now we just need those clouds to hang on Friday night! I'll probably be covering my in ground plants and buckets will get hauled to the garage.

t 39º this morning, I swear that I heard tomato plants pleading for help. This will just make them tougher.

One more comment on its status. It had to be a cross but what it crossed with is a unknown. If it were a mutant, then it would be stable right away. This is now the 5th year that I have grown it so it's very close to being called stable.

Martin

Martin

A quick late June update of Prairie Star. A vigorous, healthy plant with dense foliage. I have trimmed lower leaves, central parts for air flow and limiting to 5-6 main stems. Fruit set is coming along, not overly big numbers, but plenty of small fruits so far and a ton of flowers. Excited to watch it progress!

Looks good! It is normal for only 2 or 3 fruit per cluster but they should be close to a pound or more. When they get ripe, show everyone how great my last tomato project is.

Martin

Paquebot wrote: ↑Mon Jun 28, 2021 8:50 pm Looks good! It is normal for only 2 or 3 fruit per cluster but they should be close to a pound or more. When they get ripe, show everyone how great my last tomato project is.

Martin

With pleasure Martin! I'm looking forward to later this summer when they are ready. Thanks again for sharing the seeds.

Paquebot wrote: ↑Mon Jun 28, 2021 8:50 pm Looks good! It is normal for only 2 or 3 fruit per cluster but they should be close to a pound or more. When they get ripe, show everyone how great my last tomato project is.

Martin

I'm looking forward to seeing this one!

Here is the Prairie Star! It is a beautiful tomato. I have harvested 5, including 2 today. Size ranges from 12 to 18 oz. It tied Tundra with my latest tomato this year, with first ripe at 84 days from transplant, 123 days from seed. The plant is vigorous and healthy. Production is medium-low, there are another 3 good sized tomatoes that will come ready soonish. Flavor has a nice, deep rich tomato flavor, the sweetness and acidity are both restrained. I’d describe it as mild, yet rich. Texture is very good, nice balance of flesh and juice. Martin thank you again, very enjoyable and I am saving seeds! I hope your garden is doing well and you are feeling well. 2021 has been the healthiest and most productive tomato garden I’ve had in this house since we bought it and had our first garden here in 2009.

That is a beautiful tomato! I'm so glad that you are enjoying it and think that it is good enough to be saving seeds. It's so nice when a surprise cross turns out so well.

Looks like some color variation still there. Should be yellow or orange with red on bottom. Mine are not ripe yet due to having to star over after losing first seedlings. Would prefer to see nice smooth bottoms but that has always varied and is happening now. So far, size is impressive.

Martin

Looked at my developing fruit today and also noted some cat-facing. Never had it before and assume that weather this year has been the factor. I have only seen smooth bottoms from day one with these until now.

Martin

If you were on Facebook, a friend in PA posted a photo tonight of a huge near-perfect monster, one of many that he's got. Shows a small navel instead of a smooth red start. By coincidence, an editor of the Star newspaper stopped in this this morning to check on my "mini farm". She backed me against the city 6 years ago just when I began working on this variety. When I was looking for a new name, had to be Prairie Star.

Martin

Both plant and fruit look great!!,