Ferris Wheel Tomato

90 days, indeterminate - 'Ferris Wheel' vines grow six feet or taller in height, are a regular leaf type that are somewhat wispy, which common in other large, pink, beefsteak-type varieties. Although none of the fruit we have grown out are true "monsters" that its originator exclaimed, we have harvested fruit weighing in at thirty-two ounces. Some of the later season fruit ripen as small as eight ounces here on our farm, but sixteen to twenty-four ounces seem to be typical specimen weight. The flavor definitely makes this variety one worth growing and preserving for future generations. They are juicy, deliciously complex yet mild, and slightly sweet.

'Ferris Wheel' is an old commercial heirloom variety that was once very popular, but nearly disappeared from availability until it was rediscovered in the 1990s by author and tomato authority Craig LeHoullier. Released by the John A. Salzer Seed Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1894, you can read their amazing claims in the scan of their description included in the photo link above. Our parent stock originated from USDA accession number NSL 27341.