Spotlight on Something Unique - Indigo Rose Tomato

Hey Everyone,

"Indigo Rose" Tomato
grown by
Vann Gaskin in Bed 44

When taking a walk through the garden it is always such a joy to stumble upon something so unique.  Vann, in Bed 44, has one of the most beautiful cultivars of tomatoes that came out of Oregon State University last year.  What is so unique about some of the new cultivars coming out of Oregon State is they are breeding for a new class of tomato high in antioxidants.  While they are using genetic engineering principles, all are non-GMO practices.

Many of the wild varieties of tomatoes have the anthocyanin's (naturally occurring pigments shown to fight disease in humans) or powerful antioxidants in their fruit. However, until this cultivar was developed, these same compounds were only found in the leaves and stems of homegrown varieties that are toxic to us as well as animals when ingested.

The coloring of this tomato is so distinctive.  As you can see in the photo to the right, the indigo is quite intense.  Only the exposed areas to sunlight develop the deep purple color, while the shaded portions of the tomato remain green until turning ripe.  Upon ripening, the indigo color will dull somewhat while the green portions then turn a rusty red.

Here is an interesting link if anyone might enjoy reading about the background of Indigo Rose.  The link also has a list of suppliers carrying the seed for sale.  If this is a variety you would like to try and are unable to find seed, just let me know.

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/purple-tomato-debuts

Kudos to Vann for growing such a showstopper!  Please let us know how they taste.

Happy Gardening,

Denise, Beds 25 & 29