Hello,

Newbie to the forum. I ended up here after going down a rabbit hole after accidentally coming across mention of a variety called Spike's Red Belly Button, and now I can't stop.

Anyone know if this variety still exists?

Thanks for the add.
WI Zone 5b

Welcome to the forum.

It's best to go to "Introductions" to get a large warm welcome. There are several active Wisconsinites. here.

The good news is that I still have about 100 large plump seeds. The bad news is that the seeds are from 2015. I've sent out perhaps 50+ packs of SRBB to people in the past decade, none in the past few years, but so far no fresh seeds have returned to me. Perhaps one or more people, here, have grown it out recently, and will respond to your request. Have you ever attempted to germinate old seeds? Sometimes they can take 30 days, or more to sprout. For me, anything beyond 7 year old seed, there is no guarantee of germination.

Please PM me a mailing address, so that I can rush out the seeds. You likely don't have the longest growing season, and it's unknown if or when these seeds would germinate.

Couldn't agree more with @Tormato suggestion about introducing yourself @Heidi C . Also please take the opportunity to fill in a location as you may find yourself within spitting distance of some of the other members who could provide you with a lot of great information helping you avoid pitfalls, when to sow seed and maybe fulfil requests like this one.

You will find many more rabbit holes to fall down here so enjoy the journey and even consider a glog where people can see how you are going and answer questions you may pose

Thank you! Still learning all the bells and whistles.

Welcome to the Junction @Heidi C from a neighbor. Congratulations to you for getting seeds of a rare tomato. Now the burden is on you to grow it out and share seeds so it's not lost to mankind. And the addiction will keep going from there.

Oh I'm already addicted, but have not gone down this avenue before. Hoping for success

So glad you were able to find your way over Heidi

~Sam

Welcome from a fellow America's Dairyland denizen; which part of our great state do you call home? The Gotch

Hello! I am in De Pere just outside of Green Bay.

Welcome to da Junction! I do believe we have another body in here around your neck of the woods.

Welcome to the forum! Good luck in getting your seeds to sprout!

Heidi C -- Hello. I was just wondering if you got any sprouts from your Spike's Red Belly Button?
I received a packet of the 2015 seeds from Tormato in the MMMM Swap and planted some. I did get one sprout out of 5 seeds planted. I was too excited so I planted a bunch more seeds of them. If all goes well for me this season I will have plenty of new saved seeds to share if you are in need (or want).

@colcol2 That's terrific! I have one sprout so far, but he has failed to develop true leaves yet. I have repotted in hopes of stimulating some growth. I have several other attempts still going, including some soaked and some in paper towel.

Getting some growth on my blind Spike's seedling!

I have a new Spike's baby coming up! Hopefully this one's "normal".

Heidi C wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 7:57 am I have a new Spike's baby coming up! Hopefully this one's "normal".

Please keep me posted on Spike's.

I'm about two weeks from tomato starts, and there is no way that I will be starting my normal 150+ varieties this year. I will hopefully buy 1 or 2 SunGold plants, and start about a dozen other varieties. If I get a report that someone is growing a Spike's with a healthy leader on a good strong plant, I may hold off on trialing it this year.

Will do! Here's hoping

HLC


Please keep me posted on Spike's.

I'm about two weeks from tomato starts, and there is no way that I will be starting my normal 150+ varieties this year. I will hopefully buy 1 or 2 SunGold plants, and start about a dozen other varieties. If I get a report that someone is growing a Spike's with a healthy leader on a good strong plant, I may hold off on trialing it this year.
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