{"product_id":"semences-tomate-brandywine-ancestrale","title":"Brandywine Heirloom Tomato","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSolanum lycopersicum.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aristocrat of heirloom tomatoes — the absolute reference against which all other heirloom tomatoes are measured, and probably the variety most loved by knowing North American gardeners. The exact origin of Brandywine remains the object of historical discussion, but most sources tie it to the Amish communities of Chester County, Pennsylvania, in the 19th century — the first documented commercial mention dates from 1889, in a catalogue of the Johnson \u0026amp; Stokes house.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike so many remarkable heirloom varieties, it nearly disappeared in the mid-20th century under the pressure of modern industrial hybrids, and it's thanks to Ben Quisenberry, an Ohio farmer, that it was saved — he maintained the variety for decades in his garden, notably receiving seeds from a certain Doris Sudduth Hill of Tennessee (hence the name \u003cem\u003eBrandywine Sudduth's Strain\u003c\/em\u003e found on the most reputed line). Quisenberry passed the seeds to \u003cem\u003eSeed Savers Exchange\u003c\/em\u003e of Decorah, Iowa, in the 1980s, which triggered the great modern renaissance of heirloom tomatoes in North America. Today, Brandywine is grown by tens of thousands of gardeners and features in heirloom tomato festivals across the continent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMajestic indeterminate plant 1.5 to 2.5 metres tall, to be staked firmly. Intriguing botanical particularity: the foliage is said to be \"potato-leaf\" — that is, the leaflets are broader, more rounded and less divided than those of standard \"tomato-leaf\" tomatoes. This trait is recessive and useful for identifying true Brandywine plants in the middle of a mix. Enormous fruits, shaped like a flattened apple or a large beefsteak, 250 g to 1 kg apiece at full maturity, with a uniform deep pink-red skin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFleshy, almost creamy flesh, with just enough seeds, of the characteristic pink-red colour. And the flavour? It's precisely here that the legend of Brandywine establishes itself: an extraordinary balance between sweet and tart, with roundness in the mouth, a complex almost floral perfume, and a long finish that has nothing in common with that of any supermarket tomato. It's \u003cem\u003ethe\u003c\/em\u003e tomato you serve simply sliced with a little fleur de sel and olive oil, or in a three-ingredient \u003cem\u003ecaprese\u003c\/em\u003e (mozzarella di bufala, Genoese basil, and Brandywine) — any more elaborate preparation would be an insult to what the variety can offer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrower's tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brandywine is demanding in heat and time. In Québec, indoor start 8 to 10 weeks before last frost, at 22-25 °C, under good light. Transplant once all risk of frost is past (late May to early June depending on the region). Give it the warmest, sunniest spot in the garden. Like all indeterminates, regular suckering is needed to concentrate energy on the fruits, but don't be too severe — Brandywine produces fewer fruits than other tomatoes and each one counts (5 to 15 fruits per plant, but what fruits). Very solid staking is essential, the mature fruits easily weighing 500 g to 1 kg apiece. The season is long (80-90 days after transplant), which makes Brandywine a challenge at our latitudes: regions further north in Québec may struggle to ripen all the fruits before the first frosts. For those regions, start indoors even earlier (10 to 12 weeks), or choose a shorter-season variety like Roma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStorage: at full maturity, Brandywine keeps only 4 to 7 days at room temperature — it's a tomato to eat fresh, not a keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen-pollinated. Amish heirloom variety, pre-1889. Recessive \u003cem\u003epotato-leaf\u003c\/em\u003e variety. Largely self-fertile but can cross with other tomatoes nearby, so few crossings in practice — excellent candidate for seed saving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeight: 1.5 to 2.5 m. Solid staking essential.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaturity: 80 to 90 days after transplant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExposure: full sun, warmth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery rich, deep, well-drained, warm soil. Space plants 75 to 90 cm apart. Mulching recommended.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIndoor start 8 to 10 weeks before last frost. Transplant once all risk of frost is past (late May to early June in Québec). Variety requiring a long warm season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Joual Vert","offers":[{"title":"20","offer_id":41725353263276,"sku":"GC-H-TOMBRA-20","price":3.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":41725353296044,"sku":"GC-H-TOMBRA-100","price":15.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500","offer_id":41725353328812,"sku":"GC-H-TOMBRA-500","price":54.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0532\/1388\/8684\/products\/brandywine_748ee7f4-96a6-446c-933b-cca750f054c1.jpg?v=1664221338","url":"https:\/\/joualvert.ca\/en\/products\/brandywine-heirloom-tomato-seeds","provider":"Joual Vert","version":"1.0","type":"link"}