Margaret Curtain & Chocolate Beefsteak

[WoodSprite]

I was hoping to grow Margaret Curtain this year and Chocolate Beefsteak this year or next year. Can anyone share seeds, please? I could do a trade (what are you looking for?), send a S.A.S.E. or accept a gift. I'm in Pennsylvania.

Note: Chocolate Beefsteak is the one that casino got from a friend who bought it from ebay as part of a "mix of 100 different varieties of heirloom tomato seeds." They loved it but couldn't identify what named variety it was so they called it Chocolate Beefsteak.

Thanks.

[Gthegardener]

I can send you Margaret curtain if you PM me your address

[WoodSprite]

I just now saw your offer, @Gthegardener. Thank you so much. I'll PM you now.

[Tormahto]

I didn't even realize I was out of Margaret Curtain until I saw your wish list. It's one of about 10 black varieties that I simply never expect to run out of. Now I know, Cherokee Purple is the only safe one. Well, Black Cherry too, but I count it more as being in the cherry category.

Can you write down MC on your varieties to save for 2023 card?

[WoodSprite]

I just saw your post, @Tormato. I plan to save seeds from all of the tomatoes and some of the other things that I grow this year. But I'll put it on the card as a reminder that you need more.

[WoodSprite]

Thanks so much for the Margaret Curtain seeds, Gthegardener.

Looking for Chocolate Beefsteak. Just 2 or 3 seeds would be appreciated.

[Tormahto]

If no offers by Monday, I'll have to search that exploding box of 500+ varieties.

[Toomanymatoes]

Do you have any pictures of Chocolate Beefsteak? I found the threads on TV, but I am not a member so I cannot see any pictures. Just curious.

[OhioGardener]

I was hoping to grow Margaret Curtain this year and Chocolate Beefsteak this year or next year. Can anyone share seeds, please? I could do a trade (what are you looking for?), send a S.A.S.E. or accept a gift. I'm in Pennsylvania.

Note: Chocolate Beefsteak is the one that casino got from a friend who bought it from ebay as part of a "mix of 100 different varieties of heirloom tomato seeds." They loved it but couldn't identify what named variety it was so they called it Chocolate Beefsteak.

Thanks.

Is there any chance you or they can remember the vendor and maybe ask them what black/chocolate varieties were included in their mixes? I have seeds from several E. European varieties that are popular black tomatoes. If you could narrow down which varieties it might have been, then some of us may be able to help you with seeds.

[WoodSprite]

@Tormato - I think I have a lead on the seeds but will let you know. Thanks.

@OhioGardener - These are casino's photos from TV. He raves about it so I'd really like to taste it, too.

chocolate beefsteak1.jpg

chocolate beefsteak2.jpg

[OhioGardener]

@Tormato - I think I have a lead on the seeds but will let you know. Thanks.

@OhioGardener - These are casino's photos from TV. He raves about it so I'd really like to taste it, too.

Unfortunately it doesn't show what kind of leaf (regular or potato) the plant has because that would help a little. The varieties that I have with tomatoes that look similar in color/shape are: Black from Tula, Black Krim, Paul Robeson, and Black Sea Man (potato leaf). They're all excellent in flavor with Tula being the best in my opinion. All are common enough that they could be included in a vendor's seed mix, but it doesn't necessarily mean that what they're calling chocolate beefsteak is one of these four varieties. There are quite a few others with a similar appearance too.

[WoodSprite]

Sorry, @OhioGardener. I didn't see your comment until just now.

Casino described it as black (maroon) with green stripes on the stem end. About 10 oz and are crack-free. kath grew it from his seeds and got fruits that were 4-18 oz. Regular leaf. Indet. OP. The plants grow 4 to 5 feet tall in his garden. He says the flavor is delicious, rich, complex, earthy and non-acid.

He said his friend bought 700 seeds of "a mix of 100 different varieties of heirloom tomato seeds" from ebay and started a bunch of them. The friend gave some plants to casino in 2009 and one that he grew was this. He saved seeds and grew it in 2010 and it produced the same so it wasn't a hybrid. He and his friend couldn't identify which heirloom it was after comparing to others that they knew so they personally called it Chocolate Beefsteak. I believe he wondered if it was a spontaneous mutation and therefore something new. He then asked about it at TV to try to identify it but none of the suggestions fit what he said he had. He said it wasn't any of the more commonly known varieties. I first learned of "Chocolate Beefsteak" when I read casino's TV post about it.

I'm growing almost all black tomatoes this year and next year and want to grow Chocolate Beefsteak not only to taste it but to compare them. All of the ones that you named are on my list to grow. (Black From Tula and Black Krim are my favorites from when I grew them previously but am growing them again next year. I'm salivating just thinking about them.) If I recall correctly, someone suggested it was Indian Stripes or Cherokee Purple but I forget why they didn't fit.

I messaged casino many months ago but he hasn't opened the message. I don't think he's active on TV or TJ anymore. I know he's shared seeds with folks at both places so I was hoping someone had some extra seeds to share

A few days ago I found casino's real name and found his Facebook page that mentions Chocolate Beefsteak. Apparently he sells plants local to him. I messaged him but he hasn't responded yet (probably because it went into "message requests" instead of his normal inbox. I just now posted a comment on his public post about this tomato asking if I could buy some seeds from him.

[Nanooknorth]

I can send seeds for Chocolate Beefsteak. I was away with a busy year and didn’t see your request earlier.

[WoodSprite]

Thanks so much, Nanooknorth! I messaged you my address. I'm happy to send you seeds of other tomato varieties or other veggies or flowers. Just let me know what you are looking for via message.

[WoodSprite]

I received Chocolate Beefsteak seeds this week. Thank you so much, Nanooknorth!!!

And thank you, Gthegardener for the Margaret Curtain seeds.

My wishes have been fulfilled.