California Sungold

[Mark_Thompson]

https://www.quailseeds.com/store/p569/C ... omato.html


“For years, professional growers and home gardeners alike have been trying to de-hybidize the popular Sungold, which is a proprietary hybrid. (Only the corporation that owns the rights to Sungold know its parentage.) Steve Peters and Kanti Rawal took a completely different, open-source approach. Drawing on their decades of work in organic plant breeding, they made new crosses and distributed seeds widely to organic growers all over California. Each year, seeds from the tastiest and most productive plants were saved. This collaborative effort has achieved success. Flavor, ease of cultivation, compact size, keeping qualities, and yield are all excellent.”

Anyone tried this one yet?

I bought a few extra packets so anyone who wants some seeds lmk.

[Vanman]

How many seeds come in each pack?

[OmarLittle]

Interesting. I'd never heard of this before. Might have to try these this year. I always like a good story behind a tomato. I wonder how many years they collaborated to get this variety?

[Mark_Thompson]

@Vanman No idea, can let you know when they show up around the end of the month maybe

[Vanman]

Works for me. I am just starting my list of tomatoes to grow this year.

[habitat-gardener]

My local co-op carries Redwood Seeds, and had this variety in stock yesterday (I requested it) at USD3.49 for 50 seeds. I bought a pack for the master gardener tomato sale.

[Stitchingmom]

https://www.quailseeds.com/store/p569/C ... omato.html


“For years, professional growers and home gardeners alike have been trying to de-hybidize the popular Sungold, which is a proprietary hybrid. (Only the corporation that owns the rights to Sungold know its parentage.) Steve Peters and Kanti Rawal took a completely different, open-source approach. Drawing on their decades of work in organic plant breeding, they made new crosses and distributed seeds widely to organic growers all over California. Each year, seeds from the tastiest and most productive plants were saved. This collaborative effort has achieved success. Flavor, ease of cultivation, compact size, keeping qualities, and yield are all excellent.”

Anyone tried this one yet?

I bought a few extra packets so anyone who wants some seeds lmk.

I would love to try these, but would want to trade you something.

I tried Sungold O.P., Sungold Select, and Sungold Select II last summer. I wasn't impressed.

[Mark_Thompson]

@Stitchingmom Sounds good, I would love to try Reinhard’s Purple Sugar if you’ve still got that one

[Stitchingmom]

@Stitchingmom Sounds good, I would love to try Reinhard’s Purple Sugar if you’ve still got that one

Messaging you.

[Mark_Thompson]

@Vanman @OmarLittle @Stitchingmom I got three packs with 25 seeds per pack so I've got plenty to go around

[OmarLittle]

@Vanman @OmarLittle @Stitchingmom I got three packs with 25 seeds per pack so I've got plenty to go around

Thanks but I just put an order in for some through Redwood Seeds this morning. Definitely excited to try!

[SarahNoel]

I planted and really enjoyed Sun gold last year, planting it again this year. I'd love to see how it grows out!

[Tormahto]

How many seeds come in each pack?

Mark generously sent 2 packs into the MMMM swap. The packaging says 25 seeds, but seed counts were 24 and 14 respectively, with a few in each packet being fairly tiny. So, MAYBE expect about 20 good seeds? I'll be offering them in the MMMM swap at the arrivals and departures thread, 3 to 5 seeds to a pack, depending on demand.

[Mark_Thompson]

@Tormato I took a handful of seeds out of that one pack to grow myself, that’s why it’s shy. Thanks for spreading them around

[OmarLittle]

I'm awaiting my first one to ripen on the vine. I have to keep reminding myself it's not ready yet

[habitat-gardener]

How many seeds come in each pack?

Mark generously sent 2 packs into the MMMM swap. The packaging says 25 seeds, but seed counts were 24 and 14 respectively, with a few in each packet being fairly tiny. So, MAYBE expect about 20 good seeds? I'll be offering them in the MMMM swap at the arrivals and departures thread, 3 to 5 seeds to a pack, depending on demand.

California Sungold is an OP, so if we like it, those of us who are growing it can save lots of seeds.

[OmarLittle]

So now that I've had a chance to sample some of the California Sun Gold. Here are my thoughts

Grow to about 3/4" in diameter so a little bit bigger than regular Sun Gold.

I did have a few split but we did have some heavy rain so I don't think the variety is susceptible to splitting like Sun Gold. Have not seen any split since.

Taste. This is the most important category in my opinion. Are they sweet? Absolutely!; Are they as sweet as Sun Gold? No. But to me Sun Gold was too sweet. Like eating candy. California Sun Gold has a delicious sweet taste but without losing the tomato flavor which is perfect for my tastes. My wife loves them so that will guarantee I'll be growing then again

Production is maybe the only downside. It is not as high as I would've hoped. Maybe it will increase as I get later into the season.

I will grow again

[BurgundySnail]

On similar matter - has anyone tried and can compare Honey drop with sun gold? I have Honey drop this year and it's delicious. No splitting. But I never tried Sun gold and not sure if I should go for sun gold next year or stick to the Honey drop (it's open pollinated and I plan on saving seeds)

[BurgundySnail]

I found this Lady

At least she thainks that Honey drop is even better!

[Josetom]

It will be cool to grow Sungold, California Sungold, Honey drop and maybe Ambrosia gold or Auriga (the new orange cherry from BK), try the Fours with eyes closed and define the best tasting orange cherry.. I would like to see if some of the 3 beats Sungold