Schematic diagram, not a photo. A reference illustration is in progress.

No. 039 · hybrid

Defiant PhR

Defiant PhR is a determinate hybrid slicer with red fruit. It ripens in about 65 days.

Typeslicer
Habitdeterminate
Days to maturity65
Fruit size6 to 8 oz
Colorred
Difficultyeasy

Flavor

Described in catalogs as having great flavor for a disease-resistant slicer, smooth and medium-firm with good texture. This is the recurring catalog and grower description, not a measured claim.

Origin

An F1 hybrid bred by Johnny's Selected Seeds in collaboration with North Carolina State University, traditionally bred to inherit the Ph-2 and Ph-3 major genes for late blight resistance.

What it does well

  • High resistance to late blight plus intermediate resistance to early blight
  • Early and high yielding on widely adaptable medium-sized plants
  • Determinate habit needs little or no pruning or support
  • Also carries high resistance to Fusarium wilt and Verticillium wilt

Where it frustrates

  • An F1 hybrid, so seed cannot be saved true
  • Bred for disease resistance and earliness, so flavor is good rather than exceptional

Like Defiant PhR, but...

Sold out, or after a change? The closest alternatives, and how they differ.

Celebritybut without the late blight resistanceMountain Magicbut a larger slicer rather than a small campari

Where to buy seed

Related reading

Sources