There are several tomato plant varieties but the rest pales compared to the amazing story behind heirloom tomato plants. The term heirloom meant that something has gained value over time because it has been handed down through generations. Indeed, heirloom tomato plants suit such description because each breed of heirloom tomato plants has a different story. Having said that, you would be amazed to learn that there are hundred varieties of tomato plants. In the past few years, heirloom tomato plants varieties became popular since they have a rich taste that can suit discriminating palates. Heirloom tomato plants very unique breeds because this plant is produced through open-pollination of a non-hybrid. As a result, hundreds of varieties can be produced depending on one's choice of seeds that would suit well a certain geographical location. There are numerous sizes, shapes and colors that creates flavor.
Tomato experts Craig LeHouillier and Carolyn Male made an organized classification of heirloom tomato plants into four general categories: 1. Commercial Heirlooms: Usually, these are open -pollinated varities that began in1940, or tomato varieties more than 50 years in circulation.
2. Family Heirlooms: These seeds were passed down from one generation to another.
3. Created Heirlooms: This breed is a result of cross breeding between two known parents (C(either two heirlooms or an heirloom and a hybrid) and dehybridizing the resulting seeds for a long period of time ; actually, it takes some as much as 8 years or more to eliminate the undesirable characteristics and acquire the desired characteristics.
4. Mystery Heirlooms:This is the end result of natural cross-pollination of other heirloom varieties.
Nevertheless, you have to keep in mind that heirloom tomato plants are not at all that stable so they are prone to certain plant diseases which you must be aware of. Some well-recognized heirloom tomato plants are Red currant, Yellow pear, San Marzano, Mortgage Lifter,Brandywine, Garden peach, Golden Jubillee, Cherokee Purple, and Big Rainbow. The Mortgage Lifter has a very exciting history as a radiator repairman named Charlie Byles sought ways to survive during the Great Depression. He ended cross- breeding large tomato breeds that sold like hotcakes. Because of the profits he earned, he was able to settle all his mortgage hence the name Mortgage Lifter. This is just one of the remarkable stories that heirloom tomato plants often have; also,it can't be denied that people appreciate the good taste of this breed.