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Kenosha - WI

I have a plant with multiple huge heart shaped tomatoes. According to my records it should be a Catapano. But since I planted 36 varieties I'm not sure if I mixed the tags. Does any of you knows where I can find pictures of the original Frank Catapano original tomatoes. According to what I read on BP there are two Catapano lines. Mine fits the description of the first. The original 2.4lb and not the Hybrid developed later from a BigZac. Any Information will be appreciated. Wish there was a way to attach a picture to the message. Thanks

10/9/2023 2:10:00 PM

Wixom MI.

WOW, what year was catapano 2004 ? The only catapano that I knew of was the bigzacs and they wouldn't have been heart shaped at all.

10/20/2023 4:02:45 PM

Warwood

Try these for some pics of offspring. Some with the identifying appendages. I've not known there to be a pic of this tomato but I'll see if I can find one. Frank Catapano is in Canada.
https://www.delectationoftomatoes.com/apps/search?q=catapano
https://exchange.seedsavers.org/page/catalog/search/variety?keyword=catapano

10/20/2023 4:56:22 PM

Kenosha - WI

Thanks for your replies.
Unfortunately everything found online points to the Catapano Hybrid (Big Zac) and not the original tomato from 1998.
Please go to the link below . .


http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=33&p=497630

This is a very good post where Big Kahuna 24 (Via Dr. Frank Catapano) explains the difference between the "original Catapano" dating back to 1998 and the Hybrid Catapano developed later from a Big Zac. My goal is to find more information on the first "original"tomato. It was heart shaped and produced 200 lbs of tomatoes on a single plant. Whish that Big Kahuna24 would chime in. Thanks.

10/21/2023 6:04:33 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Bisontino, sorry I don't really have anything to add other than what is in my old diary entries. Have not seen Dr. Frank in several years. However I grew this year two old BZ 3.75 offspring from that 3.4 and 2.75 and 5.41 era. The plants were disappointing as comparatively they lacked vigor and mega blossom's to modern crossed neighbor's growing nearby the Butler 7.88 and 5.20

10/21/2023 4:23:40 PM

Kenosha - WI

Thank you so much BigKahuna. My research results are the following.
The 2.75 --> 3.4 --> 5.41 is the original HEIRLOOM - Heart Shaped dating back to 1998
The 4.59 Lyons --> 3.9--> etc was Created in 2007 from a BizZac but it was recorded as a 3.9 Catapano.
I'm a big enthusiast of old Heirlooms and the 1998 Catapano is one of them. The Catapano plant I've growing has all of characteristics of the 1998. Many fruits, heart shaped, great vigor. Definitively different from any BigZac I have grown. Thanks for your help.

10/22/2023 5:19:35 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Ah, almost forgot this from early this summer. This mater grew good and fast but flashed out very early then BES'ed.

"Biggest was 4.02 pounds off my very old 2.12 seed from Frank Catapano’s old Delicious line up. Things are still growing but slowly. So it’s great in measuring a 1/2 inch gain on a prospective tomato winner"

10/23/2023 2:45:51 PM

Kenosha - WI

I just Want to make sure I understand this correctly. You grew a 4.02 from a very old 2.12 catapano's delicious? So, is this another variety Frank C. grew? I don't believe the 1998 tomato, the one we have been talking about, was a Delicious. It sounds as he grew different varieties. Thanks for the Update.

10/24/2023 5:18:36 AM