Burpee's Quarter Century Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Price: $2.95
SKU: 340280190 days, dwarf - The plants are a compact, dwarf-type with rugose leaves. The 1909 catalog states, "Owing to its compact, erect habit, the plants can be set quite closely together."[1] They are a suitable choice for container gardening or can be planted about two feet apart in the ground. The fruit of 'Quarter Century' are oblate-shaped, red in color, smooth and crackless, weigh two to ten ounces each, and are solid with a nice balanced flavor.
It was introduced in 1896 by the horticultural editor of The Rural New Yorker,[3] Dr. Walter Van Fleet of Monmouth County, New Jersey. It was supplied to growers, in trial packets, in 1900 by W. Atlee Burpee & Company. The following year, it was named 'Quarter Century' to celebrate the company's 25th anniversary. The variety appeared as a sport in the third generation from a cross between 'Lorillard', a bright scarlet fruit with ordinary type of foliage, and 'Dwarf Champion', a pinkish-red fruit of dwarf habit.[2] Johnson & Stokes said, "It might be called an improved 'Dwarf Aristocrat'."[3]
It was introduced in 1896 by the horticultural editor of The Rural New Yorker,[3] Dr. Walter Van Fleet of Monmouth County, New Jersey. It was supplied to growers, in trial packets, in 1900 by W. Atlee Burpee & Company. The following year, it was named 'Quarter Century' to celebrate the company's 25th anniversary. The variety appeared as a sport in the third generation from a cross between 'Lorillard', a bright scarlet fruit with ordinary type of foliage, and 'Dwarf Champion', a pinkish-red fruit of dwarf habit.[2] Johnson & Stokes said, "It might be called an improved 'Dwarf Aristocrat'."[3]
Fruit Color: Red
Special Groups: Container Friendly
Harvest Timing: Late Season
Special Groups: Container Friendly
Harvest Timing: Late Season
Although the name or description of this variety refers to a modern company's name, the seed we are offering is in no way sourced from, "owned by" or connected with that company. The name is simply the historically accurate, common name for the variety giving credit to the seedsmen that originally released it.
Sow seeds indoors (do not direct sow into the garden), using sterile seed starting mix, 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected frost date. Plant 1/4" deep, water lightly but keep moist until emergence.
Full light and cooler temps (60° to 70°) will help to prevent the seedlings from becoming too leggy. If plants become rootbound before you can safely set them into the ground, transplant them into larger pots.
Harden off plants before planting outside. Young plants are very susceptible to frost and sunburn damage. Avoid too much nitrogen. Water evenly but not in excess.
Click here to view our full tomato growing guide.
Full light and cooler temps (60° to 70°) will help to prevent the seedlings from becoming too leggy. If plants become rootbound before you can safely set them into the ground, transplant them into larger pots.
Harden off plants before planting outside. Young plants are very susceptible to frost and sunburn damage. Avoid too much nitrogen. Water evenly but not in excess.
Click here to view our full tomato growing guide.
Informational References:
- "Burpee's Farm Annual for 1909," W. Atlee Burpee & Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- "List of American Varieties of Vegetables for the Years 1901 and 1902," by W. W. Tracy, Jr., USDA, 1903.
- "Garden and Farm Manual," Johnson & Stokes Seed Company, 1906.
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