Rare Tomato seed

Been a few years since I posted on this forum! I have no excuses, but need help concerning a tomato plant variety which is defying all identification. Yes, I've emailed endless "Tomato growing specialists" to no avail.

At a recent seed-swap event, I acquired a home grown (claimed as organic) packet of 60 tomato seeds labelled Kenches Gold - wish now that I had met the donor - hindsight, etc.

I have found just one passing brief reference on an old blog dated 2009 simply stating they were "Planting 3 Kenches Gold tomatos" - https://multiveg.wordpress.com/?s=kenches+gold

I emailed the blogger, but no reply. And then I went to some lengths to track the blogger on other sites!! No reply, and there the trail ends (well it never begun you could argue). I've just sown 4 seeds, and am assuming by the name that they will be some sort of yellow variety.

If anybody knows for certain what these are (perhaps they have another name?) Or (more of a long shot) - who this blogger is, I will be happy to "reward" them with some of the seeds.

Many thanks
David T.

 

Located a thesis (Characterisation of Heritage Vegetables, by Jennifer Preston) where it does mention Kenches Gold.
Within that, one of the questions from her survey "Have you grown and varieties that you think may be the same but with different names?" Kenches Gold was mentioned alongside "Scotland Yellow" (so, I'm assuming that is an alternative name).
If that is the case, seeds for that can be purchased from "Irish Seed Savers" and is listed as "Yellow Scotland" and described as

Best I could do in the time I have available, so I hope that is of some help.

Good luck in your search and even better luck with your Kenches Gold/Scotland Yellow/Yellow Scotland

 

Thanks for this suggestion! - Best I've had so far, and I'll be interested to see (assuming they germinate) what develops! For some reason I had it in my mind they would be a cherry tom, so will be even more delighted if they turn out to be medium size, as per the description of Scotland Yellow!!

 

Welcome back

 

Make contact with the people/person that organised the seed swap, they usually hold a list of names of those that attended or donated seed. It's a long shot but worth a try.

 

If no success with that, maybe ask just in advance of next year's swop just in case it's something they regularly donate.

 

I tried that (I don't give up easily), but they don't keep note of who donated what. So, ever persistent, I've tracked down Jennifer Preston (M's post above) and emailed her!
Fingers crossed

 

The bad news is that I never had a reply from Jennifer Preston, so as it stands I have no other leads to pursue on the great "Discover what a Kenches Gold tomato is" misson

The great news is that after the first 2 failed attempts to germinate 4 seeds ( 4 each time, thus total of 8 seeds), finally seeds 9 + 10 (3rd attempt) have germinated!

As long as disaster doesn't strike, hopefully all will be revealed later this summer. Then it will be "Identify the tomato variety currently known as Kenches Gold" competition!

 

So sorry to hear that you didn't get a response from JP.

Great news that your have finally managed to germinate some of your seeds

You are quite right: come summer, you will have a greater understanding of the plant and it may be possible to draw nearer to an ID simply through how it grows etc.

Best of British with your growth this year

 

It's a shame you didn't get a response to your email but at least the seeds have germinated. .......hope all goes well and you get good results so you can find out more.

 

Have you a local allotment society David? I would contact them and any other gardening clubs in your area, somebody must know of the person who donated the seeds or recognise the name of them. I'd actually go as far as contacting my local newspaper to see if they could help trace the person.

 

Unfortunately, in spite of searching, there doesn't seem to be a local gradening or allotment club (and tbh, I'm not dedicated enough to start one!) Also, my local newspaper doesn't reach the area I travelled to for the seed-swap. I shall be happy enough if I am successful with the 2 seeds that have germinated. However... in spite of starting them the same way as I always do (have) started toms, these seem to be the slowest growing I have ever encountered!! Yes they appear healthy, but the 2nd leaves have barely formed, after several weeks now. Checked the bottom of the pots, and the roots seem to be doing well. Ho-hum - wait and watch.

 

I think the only thing you can do now is keep an eye out for this event to appear again, it would seem it's your only chance of tracking the supplier down.

Would you keep us informed of the tom's progress please, it'll be interesting to see how it develops and fruits.

 

Never known anything like this (specific to toms). Since last post (April 19th) - the two tom seedlings are healthy, and..... Not grown a single millimeter!!!!! Grown them exactly the same way as all the other varieties I've grown this year - so can't elliminate any factors. Left with about 30+ seeds, so will do another sow next year - and hope the seeds are still viable.