Red Mortgage Lifter Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Price: $3.95
SKU: 340320193 days, indeterminate - Also known as 'Mortgage Lifter VFN',[1,3] the regular leaf plants can grow six feet or taller, produce ample amounts of large (ten to fourteen ounce), red, beefsteak-type fruit that are quite tasty and reportedly disease resistant.
After receiving seed and a recorded oral about an interesting heirloom created by the late M. C. Byles of Logan,[2] West Virginia, Dr. Jeff McCormack introduced the world to the 'Radiator Charlie's Mortgage Lifter' tomato in 1985.[3,4] He immediately set out to improve it for better yields, more uniformly shaped fruit, and disease resistance and in 1990, introduced 'Mortgage Lifter VFN' (aka 'Red Mortgage Lifter').[1,3]
After receiving seed and a recorded oral about an interesting heirloom created by the late M. C. Byles of Logan,[2] West Virginia, Dr. Jeff McCormack introduced the world to the 'Radiator Charlie's Mortgage Lifter' tomato in 1985.[3,4] He immediately set out to improve it for better yields, more uniformly shaped fruit, and disease resistance and in 1990, introduced 'Mortgage Lifter VFN' (aka 'Red Mortgage Lifter').[1,3]
See Also 'Carter's Mortgage Lifter', 'Cartwright's Mortgage Lifter', 'Halladay's Mortgage Lifter', 'McGarity's Mortgage Lifter', 'Mullens' Mortgage Lifter', 'Pale Leaf Mortgage Lifter', 'Radiator Charlie's Mortgage Lifter', and 'Rieger's Mortgage Lifter' tomatoes.
Fruit Color: Red
Harvest Timing: Main Crop / Mid-Season
Harvest Timing: Late Season
Harvest Timing: Main Crop / Mid-Season
Harvest Timing: Late 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 References:
- "The Heirloom Tomato: From Garden to Table: Recipes, Portraits, and History of the World's Most Beautiful Fruit," by Amy Goldman, Bloomsbury Publishing, New York, NY, 2008, page 121.
- Marshall Cletus (M. C. or "Radiator Charlie") Byles was born on March 4, 1900 and passed away at the age of 89 on August 4, 1989. [Source: Social Security Death Index]
- "Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes," Living On Earth® - Public Radio International's Environmental News Magazine, September 23, 2005 air date
- "Epic Tomatoes: How To Select and Grow the Best Varieties of All Time," Craig LeHoullier, Storey Publishing, 2015, pages 62-63.
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