Gardener's Delight Tomato Seed Germination and Growing Thread

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by JWK, Mar 29, 2018.

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  1. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I searched the American tomato growing forums to see if any members have old seed and found out that Gardener's Delight is called "Sugar Lump" over there:

    Heirloom Tomato Seeds - 'Sugar Lump'
    "Also known as Gardener's Delight, this flavorful cherry tomato received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society for its excellence and high production both outdoors and in the greenhouse. Paul Tellhelm developed this tomato, and Ernst Benary Samenzucht of Hann Muenden, Germany introduced it in 1950. It was first called "Benary's Gartenfreude, Hochzucht", then later known as "Jung's Sugar Lump" when sold by Jung Quality Seed, Randolph, Wisconsin in 1960."

    I googled the German and American names and found a German supplier who says he maintains his own heritage line. I bought some last week and they arrived really quick and germinated even quicker.

    So I will grow a couple of these alongside the older plants to compare taste.

    What I have growing at the moment, they are all pretty small:
    2007 (from Scrungee) X 1 seedling
    2012 (from Scrungee) X 4 seedlings
    2018 (from Germany) X 10 seedlings
     
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      JWK, Apr 17, 2018
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    • silu

      silu gardening easy...hmmm

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      Interesting @JWK. I'll await your tasting results with interest. I know you like Sungold, think it's your favourite?, it certainly is mine so I'll know if you like any of the GD's you grow then I will if my sowings fail to materialise. My only slight complaint about Sungold is that the skins split easily. Apart from that I find them delicious and I have about 20 seedlings doing their best to grow bigger as I type!
       
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        silu, Apr 17, 2018
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      • Scrungee

        Scrungee Well known for it

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        That link describes them as "resistant to cracking". Excessive cracking was another reason I stopped growing Gardeners Delight.

        EDIT: That was with GD grown outside in open ground.
         
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          Scrungee, Apr 17, 2018
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          Hi silu, yes Sungold are my favourite, but I eat them straight after picking, as you say the skins split.
           
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            JWK, Apr 17, 2018
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            I wonder if the breeders concentrated on improving "Resistance to cracking" but ignored the taste?
             
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              JWK, Apr 17, 2018
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            • JWK

              JWK Gardener Staff Member

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              Here is the reply I got:
              The above reply was very fast, I have pestered them again but with no further responses.
               
              JWK, Apr 18, 2018
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            • Scrungee

              Scrungee Well known for it

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              21 Days after sowing and they're almost ready for 60mm pots. I want to get at least a couple of tomatoes to viable seed saving stage before peak blight season arrives (that's a pound coin for scale).

              GD plugs.jpg

              That problem tends to increase with old seed, another one is blind seedlings which never develop anything beyond the first seed leaves.
               
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                Scrungee, Apr 20, 2018
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              • Ezzie

                Ezzie Gardener

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                @Scrungee , those look beautiful little plants. May I ask if you have had them under lights or done anything special? Notwithstanding the green fingers of your good self of course! :)
                 
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                  Ezzie, Apr 20, 2018
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                • JWK

                  JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                  I have a couple more 2007 @Scrungee seeds germinated making a grand total of three from 2007 . All my Gardener's Delight seedlings are small (NHS card for scale):
                  WP_20180420_07_20_07_Pro.jpg
                  From Left to right: 2018 Seed from ebay (Seekay) - 2018 Seed from Germany - 2012 Scrungee Seed - 2007 Scrungee Seed:
                   
                  JWK, Apr 21, 2018
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                • Scrungee

                  Scrungee Well known for it

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                  Under T5 lights 14 hrs/day ever since they germinated, keeping a constant watch for leaves turning blueish or scorching. The seedlings were buried to underside of seed leaves when pricking out (into 24x cell modules). They're now also getting some natural sunlight outside during this warm weather.
                   
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                    Scrungee, Apr 21, 2018
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                  • Jack McHammocklashing

                    Jack McHammocklashing Sludgemariner

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                    I have found a packet of 2007 GD seeds only four left in the foil packet
                    I know how to grow them but how do I keep them "pure" not pollinated by others in the GH ?

                    Wrap flowers in fleece until fruit appears ?

                    Jack McH
                     
                    Jack McHammocklashing, Apr 21, 2018
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                  • Ezzie

                    Ezzie Gardener

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                    @Scrungee , thank you for the information. I love ‘gadgets’ so you have just given me some ideas for my next acquisition! :yes:
                     
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                      Ezzie, Apr 22, 2018
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                    • JWK

                      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                      That's great you are going to give old ones a try too Jack.

                      Yes you have it right about keeping them pure as Scrungee explains here @Jack McHammocklashing

                       
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                        JWK, Apr 22, 2018
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                      • JWK

                        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                        WP_20180504_08_56_18_Rich.jpg

                        In size order left to right, date sown in brackets - 50p for scale - all Gardener's Delight:
                        2012 (31/Mar) : 2018 German (13/Apr) : 2018 SeeKay (6/Apr) : 2007 (13/Apr) : 2007 (13/Apr): 2007 (7/Apr)


                        WP_20180504_08_57_16_Rich.jpg
                        And as a comparison with another variety (Steak Sandwich) sown 11/Mar
                        Steak Sandwich has flowers just opening today.

                        My guess is that my Gardener's Delight will be ripening towards the end of August.
                         
                        JWK, May 6, 2018
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                      • Scrungee

                        Scrungee Well known for it

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                        Mine's bigger than yours :biggrin:
                         
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                          Scrungee, May 7, 2018
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