New Purple Tomatoes released

[snarfing]

A bit bummed on this, Ive been awaiting to see if they produce a slicer, which I would have wanted to buy. They just made a striped version of the OG purple tomato, a slightly larger one and then an orange tomato.

Products

Norfolk Healthy Produce is the home of the original antioxidant loaded Purple Tomato™. We are a tomato breeding company selling seeds to home gardeners and commercial growers featuring unique health-forward traits.

www.norfolkhealthyproduce.com

I also dont like that they seemingly havent patented the beta tomato but are still saying you cant sell the fruit or use it as parent in breeding. To me that feels like trying to get patent like protection without putting in the work to patent it.

 

[sykofan]

Grew the purple cherry one last couple of years. Very productive , they were "ok" taste wise. Kind of a smokiness to them and you have to let them get completely dark purple or they taste more acidic/tangy. Looked cool but wasn't impressed with the flavor as much.

 

[Bofig]

The purple genetics are the only “no sale permitted”, you can use them as a parent but anything containing the purple genes must be given away not sold. The beta doesn’t look like it falls under these guidelines as the first line says by purchasing the purple tomato, this probably was an oversight. When I was dealing with them there was only a handful of employees running the show so it wasn’t a giant corporation like many seed companies are. They told me there were several breeders across the country working on breeding purple genes into other tomatoes then they will eventually offer more varieties containing the purple genes into other. I’ve got a purple micro tomato in the works I may send them by summer if they want it.

 

[snarfing]

The purple genetics are the only “no sale permitted”, you can use them as a parent but anything containing the purple genes must be given away not sold. The beta doesn’t look like it falls under these guidelines as the first line says by purchasing the purple tomato, this probably was an oversight. When I was dealing with them there was only a handful of employees running the show so it wasn’t a giant corporation like many seed companies are. They told me there were several breeders across the country working on breeding purple genes into other tomatoes then they will eventually offer more varieties containing the purple genes into other. I’ve got a purple micro tomato in the works I may send them by summer if they want it.

it could be an error, but the fact that its listed on the beta tomato concerns me. If it is an error thats fine, but theyre currently making it seem like you cant sell or use the seeds for that seed. I also think its a bit absurd theyre pricing the beta seeds the same as the purple ones

 

[Bofig]

it could be an error, but the fact that its listed on the beta tomato concerns me. If it is an error thats fine, but theyre currently making it seem like you cant sell or use the seeds for that seed. I also think its a bit absurd theyre pricing the beta seeds the same as the purple ones

The only time this matters is if you plan to sell. They don’t care if you breed tomatoes for whatever and share freely. The reason they can do that with the purple gene is it’s able to be scanned in the genes later on when it’s passed down different generations. The beta won’t contain any gmo genes so there would be no way the company could test for it therefore it’s only illegal to vegetatively propagate it but that’s only true if it’s patented. I don’t see any patents or info on gmo for the beta, burpee and other companies already have high beta carotene tomatoes out there and market them as healthier. They also sell around 10-15 seeds for 7-8 bucks. Considering the source 15 isn’t crazy as it should be a stabilized variety while burpee only sells f1 hybrids of those same high nutrient varieties.

 

[snarfing]

The only time this matters is if you plan to sell. They don’t care if you breed tomatoes for whatever and share freely. The reason they can do that with the purple gene is it’s able to be scanned in the genes later on when it’s passed down different generations. The beta won’t contain any gmo genes so there would be no way the company could test for it therefore it’s only illegal to vegetatively propagate it but that’s only true if it’s patented. I don’t see any patents or info on gmo for the beta, burpee and other companies already have high beta carotene tomatoes out there and market them as healthier. They also sell around 10-15 seeds for 7-8 bucks. Considering the source 15 isn’t crazy as it should be a stabilized variety while burpee only sells f1 hybrids of those same high nutrient varieties.

I mean it matters to me, I sell my produce occasionally at the farmers market. Most gmos dont allow seed selling, not fruit selling. Though admirably its a bit different with tomatoes which you can grow from the seeds. Sungold on urban farmer is 4 dollars for a packet of 10. I meannin the end its all a moot point for me I dont grow cherry tomatoes. I was really hoping for a great beefsteak style one.

 

[Bofig]

I mean it matters to me, I sell my produce occasionally at the farmers market. Most gmos dont allow seed selling, not fruit selling. Though admirably its a bit different with tomatoes which you can grow from the seeds. Sungold on urban farmer is 4 dollars for a packet of 10. I meannin the end its all a moot point for me I dont grow cherry tomatoes. I was really hoping for a great beefsteak style one.

The purple gene tomatoes you can buy a license to sell the fruit, the beta appears uncontrolled. I’m sure if there was a genetic modification they would be blasting it on the info of that variety. I almost contracted to sell seedlings and fruit but the contract required destruction of leftover plant material end of season and I wanted to save seeds. I had a lawyer go over the paperwork and chose the best path of just buying seeds to grow for myself and freely sharing extras. As for selling fruit with no contract the beta doesn’t appear covered by any patent or restrictions.

Best bet is to contact them, I’ve had great luck in communication with the company and the rep was always easy to work with.

 

[snarfing]

The purple gene tomatoes you can buy a license to sell the fruit, the beta appears uncontrolled. I’m sure if there was a genetic modification they would be blasting it on the info of that variety. I almost contracted to sell seedlings and fruit but the contract required destruction of leftover plant material end of season and I wanted to save seeds. I had a lawyer go over the paperwork and chose the best path of just buying seeds to grow for myself and freely sharing extras. As for selling fruit with no contract the beta doesn’t appear covered by any patent or restrictions.

Best bet is to contact them, I’ve had great luck in communication with the company and the rep was always easy to work with.

Maybe I should, but I dont have any intention of buying these. Maybe ill do it and express my interest in a real slicer at the same time

 

[Bofig]

Maybe I should, but I dont have any intention of buying these. Maybe ill do it and express my interest in a real slicer at the same time

There is several in the works, I just purchased these three new seeds myself I have some plans to take the two cocktail sized and cross with some bigger varieties that taste good. I’ve got some other purple crosses in mind but starting a little larger is always better lol

 

[snarfing]

I ended up emailing them and asking. I dont know why I was hesitating I literally emailed the patent owner of an apple because I couldn't find any info about it last week.

There is several in the works, I just purchased these three new seeds myself I have some plans to take the two cocktail sized and cross with some bigger varieties that taste good. I’ve got some other purple crosses in mind but starting a little larger is always better lol

 

[Bofig]

Online it shows the patent expiring in 2031 for the purple gene but there is some weird loop holes in patents for things like that and they may get extensions. I know names are trademarked for sure and it’s a super long time like 100 years. Most general patents are 20 years, these tomatoes were made initially in early 2000s and a year or two ago was first public release. I plan to share seeds to any friends and maybe even the forum when I get something going.

I ended up emailing them and asking. I dont know why I was hesitating I literally emailed the patent owner of an apple because I couldn't find any info about it last week.

 

[snarfing]

Online it shows the patent expiring in 2031 for the purple gene but there is some weird loop holes in patents for things like that and they may get extensions. I know names are trademarked for sure and it’s a super long time like 100 years. Most general patents are 20 years, these tomatoes were made initially in early 2000s and a year or two ago was first public release. I plan to share seeds to any friends and maybe even the forum when I get something going.

Im actually an ip attorney so if you have questions feel free to ask. Patents are 20 years but the date is calculated from when theyr ready to be released. Trademarks are forever, but you can sell trademarked goods you just cant use the name( you see this a lot in paw paws, ksu trademarked a lot of them so people sell those by different names). As for how they'd extend it, to me it looks like theh patented the method to make the tomato and then the actual gene of tomato. I have a hard time imagining how they'd extend this patent beyond that. More likely they'd just release a new gene. Usually the way you extend it is by slightly changing it and it being a new invention, but hard to do with gmo plants in this way

 

[Bofig]

Im actually an ip attorney so if you have questions feel free to ask. Patents are 20 years but the date is calculated from when theyr ready to be released. Trademarks are forever, but you can sell trademarked goods you just cant use the name( you see this a lot in paw paws, ksu trademarked a lot of them so people sell those by different names). As for how they'd extend it, to me it looks like theh patented the method to make the tomato and then the actual gene of tomato. I have a hard time imagining how they'd extend this patent beyond that. More likely they'd just release a new gene. Usually the way you extend it is by slightly changing it and it being a new invention, but hard to do with gmo plants in this way

If you’re correct I can see a ton of varieties being offered for sale the year after the patent expires. I will bet hundreds of breeders are silently working on it prepping for the expiration date. The way the lady described it to me was it’s illegal to sell but they were avoiding chasing down every lead because the company was so small and the resources to do so were extremely limited. When baker creek tried to sell the gene that was big enough to go after and I believe they released to the public later in the same year once they saw how much it was wanted.

 

[snarfing]

If you’re correct I can see a ton of varieties being offered for sale the year after the patent expires. I will bet hundreds of breeders are silently working on it prepping for the expiration date. The way the lady described it to me was it’s illegal to sell but they were avoiding chasing down every lead because the company was so small and the resources to do so were extremely limited. When baker creek tried to sell the gene that was big enough to go after and I believe they released to the public later in the same year once they saw how much it was wanted.

good news, the terms didnt apply to the beta, they removed them from the listing and it does breed true to seed. so thats at least something over sungold if thats something you like

 

[Bofig]

good news, the terms didnt apply to the beta, they removed them from the listing and it does breed true to seed. so thats at least something over sungold if thats something you like

Nice that’s what I expected but it is good to verify. I’ve been growing honeycomb hybrid over sungold but this should be a good one to swap out later on.

 

[Nora]

Grew the purple cherry one last couple of years. Very productive , they were "ok" taste wise. Kind of a smokiness to them and you have to let them get completely dark purple or they taste more acidic/tangy. Looked cool but wasn't impressed with the flavor as much.

I had the exact same experience. Wonderful to look at but the flavor was just ok. However, of all my cherry tomatoes, it lasted the longest on the vine without splitting due to its thicker skin.

I had not realized the company had developed additional varieties. Darn, just when I was trying to reduce the number of tomato varieties I grow. Are these all new this year (with the exception of the original)?

 

[Bofig]

Got a photo of my F2 purple micro cross. If the purple coloring comes through it will be one I’ll share to the group if you want it. This plant was seeded on October 27 and now is 7 inches tall with 4-5 flower clusters already.

 

[DallasFigShop]

Yesterday I started Black Beauty seeds that I got maybe two years ago or longer but forgot... and also OSU Blue which make very blue/purple anthocyanin rich plants... I cant remember how good they were but I saved seeds ... I tried to start some maybe a year or two ago but I got behind and planted too late but they were the most purple plants I recall growing at least when it comes to fruits and vegetables

I would have planted Indigo Purple if I didnt remember them just being tiny plants, very sweet tomatoes like candy but mostly orange and on two foot tall Determinate plants... and not much in the way of purple ... in the hotter months they stay mostly Orange..

im growing several other new ones (non purple) Including some very early varieties, Native Sun, Perfect Rouge, Hungarian Heart and Red Trash Panda (these look like great market tomatoes @ a completely new variety)...but all trials here... and im hoping they are really good and that they will cross ...i may even try to hand pollinate this year

 

[TorontoJoe]

It's difficult to tell. Are all of these hybrids?

I grow some (not tomatoes), but I'm trying my best to avoid anything where I can't save seed.

 

[BucksCountyFigs]

Got a photo of my F2 purple micro cross. If the purple coloring comes through it will be one I’ll share to the group if you want it. This plant was seeded on October 27 and now is 7 inches tall with 4-5 flower clusters already.

YES, we want!
Please and thank you!