Is Striped German determinate or indeterminate?

Striped German is an indeterminate variety. Indeterminate vine. It keeps growing and setting fruit right up to frost, so plan on a tall stake or cage and regular pruning through the season.

How long does Striped German take to ripen?

Striped German ripens in about 78 days from transplant. Mid-season timing, ripening around 70 to 80 days from transplant.

Is Striped German an heirloom or a hybrid?

Striped German is an heirloom, an open-pollinated variety with a documented history, so seed saved from it comes back true to type.

No. 041 · heirloom

Striped German

Striped German is an indeterminate heirloom beefsteak with yellow fruit. It ripens in about 78 days.

TypeBeefsteak

HabitIndeterminate

BreedingHeirloom

Maturity78 days

Fruit size12 to 16 oz

ColorYellow and red bicolor

DifficultyModerate

Best forFresh, slicing, salad

Flavor

Described in catalogs as complex, fruity, and mild with a smooth, silky texture. This is the recurring catalog and grower description, not a measured claim.

Origin

An open-pollinated beefsteak heirloom of German origin, prized for its bicolor marbled flesh.

What it does well

Striking marbled yellow and red interior that is showy when sliced
Large flat beefsteak fruit, often 12 oz or more
Open-pollinated heirloom, so seed can be saved true

Where it frustrates

Indeterminate vines need staking or trellising and ongoing management
As an heirloom it lacks the disease-resistance package of modern hybrids
Large soft bicolor fruit can be prone to cracking and irregular shoulders

Growing it

Indeterminate vine. It keeps growing and setting fruit right up to frost, so plan on a tall stake or cage and regular pruning through the season.
Mid-season timing, ripening around 70 to 80 days from transplant.
A moderate grow, no special tricks but worth steady attention.
Prone to cracking and splitting after wet spells.
One of our picks for the cold, short-season gardens of New England.

Disease resistance

An heirloom, sold without formal disease-resistance codes.

Why no hardiness zone?

Tomatoes are warm-season annuals, so variety choice comes down to days to maturity and your local frost dates.

Like Striped German, but...

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

Pineapplebut Pineapple is a similar yellow and red bicolor beefsteak

Brandywinebut Brandywine is a solid pink rather than bicolor

Where to buy seed

Common questions

Is Striped German determinate or indeterminate?: Striped German is an indeterminate variety. Indeterminate vine. It keeps growing and setting fruit right up to frost, so plan on a tall stake or cage and regular pruning through the season.
How long does Striped German take to ripen?: Striped German ripens in about 78 days from transplant. Mid-season timing, ripening around 70 to 80 days from transplant.
Is Striped German an heirloom or a hybrid?: Striped German is an heirloom, an open-pollinated variety with a documented history, so seed saved from it comes back true to type.
What can I grow instead of Striped German?: A close swap is Pineapple, but Pineapple is a similar yellow and red bicolor beefsteak.

Sources

Striped German Heirloom Organic Tomato Seed · Johnny's Selected Seeds
Striped German Organic Tomato · Pinetree Garden Seeds

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