Livingston's Perfection Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Price: $2.95
SKU: 340075185 days, indeterminate - 'Perfection' plants are regular leaf, vigorous and productive. Its fruit are relatively small for modern standards, usually averaging eight to nine ounces each, flattened-globe to oblate shaped, and a deep, bright-red color that Livingston called "blood-red." The skin is sturdy, allowing it to have been shipped to long distance markets, but not objectionably tough.
It was introduced by Alexander W. Livingston in 1880 and was described in the 1893 seed annual as follows:
It was introduced by Alexander W. Livingston in 1880 and was described in the 1893 seed annual as follows:
"An improved Acme with red skin; somewhat larger, fully as early, has more solid flesh and fewer seeds, and produces more and larger fruit at the close of the season; invariably smooth and of a handsome blood-red color. All who have tried it pronounce it of the highest quality. Some canners prefer it to all others, especially those who can the tomato whole."[1]
Mr. Livingston discovered this historic variety as a single "sport" plant growing in his field of 'Acme' tomatoes[2] ('Acme' was a pink-fruited variety and is now presumed extinct). In his book entitled "Livingston and the Tomato," Mr. Livingston wrote:
"The stalk and foliage are lighter than those of the Paragon, but stronger than those of the Acme. The fruit is uniformly smooth like the others, only it is a little flatter from the stem to the blossom ends. Its blood red color is very desirable, meeting the fancies of the public, especially in the Eastern markets. One particular advantage it has as a shipper, is that it begins to show ripening several days before it is fully ripe. It also has a thick, tough skin, which is not easily broken in transit. With this kind, inexperienced hands or pickers in the South, if directed to gather only those fully grown and showing a tinge of ripening, can be employed to gather the fruit; and the grower will not get it into the distant market green, wilted or spotted. This is a good tomato for bulk of crop, almost anywhere and everywhere."[2]
'Perfection' is the third introduction of the father of the modern processing tomato. Our seed originated as the National Seed Storage Lab's accession number NSL 27142.
Fruit Color: Red
Special Groups: Livingston Tomatoes
Harvest Timing: Main Crop / Mid-Season
Special Groups: Livingston Tomatoes
Harvest Timing: Main Crop / Mid-Season
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 Sources:
- "Seed Annual for 1893," Livingston Seed Company, Columbus, Ohio, 1893.
- "Livingston and the Tomato: Being the History of Experiences in Discovering the Choice Varieties Introduced by Him with Practical Instructions for Growing," A. W. Livingston, 1893, pages 27-29.
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