There is some controversy about the origin of this variety, with two growers claiming it as theirs. Therefore both names are listed here.
This variety is a selection of Rebel Starfighter VT-16, the green when ripe version of RS Prime. As such it shows all the great qualities of its parent tomato with heart-shaped fruit, prolific production, loads of anthocyanin expression with the characteristic wavy lines of the Rebel Starfighter series, and well balanced tangy and sweet flavour. However, Malachite Elf/VD-21 is a tricolour, rather than a green-when-ripe tomato, it develops red streaks on the exterior and a gorgeous pink core, which add a lovely sweetness. It is a little tangy but really relatively low acid compared to many GWRs. Full of umami, dark, earthiness and strong sweet-savoury tomato flavour. As well as lovely pink streaks, this tomato contains beautiful, smooth flesh with plenty of pockets of gel and seeds, all round a nicely balanced tomato! Supurb and definitely a grow-again!
Still potentially unstable but showing good consistency in our garden.
Indeterminate plants are vigorous plants with a vining tendency. They set their fruits at intervals along their stems, and will readily grow side shoots and suckers (shoots from ground level). They need good, strong support, and it is advisable to remove the majority of the side shoots and suckers unless you have plenty of space and fertile soil to allow them to grow to their full potential. See the guide on pruning indeterminates in the resources section of the website for tips.
Sow Jan-April indoors
Height Band G
10-15 open-pollinated seeds
There is some controversy about the origin of this variety, with two growers claiming it as theirs. Therefore both names are listed here.
This variety is a selection of Rebel Starfighter VT-16, the green when ripe version of RS Prime. As such it shows all the great qualities of its parent tomato with heart-shaped fruit, prolific production, loads of anthocyanin expression with the characteristic wavy lines of the Rebel Starfighter series, and well balanced tangy and sweet flavour. However, Malachite Elf/VD-21 is a tricolour, rather than a green-when-ripe tomato, it develops red streaks on the exterior and a gorgeous pink core, which add a lovely sweetness. It is a little tangy but really relatively low acid compared to many GWRs. Full of umami, dark, earthiness and strong sweet-savoury tomato flavour. As well as lovely pink streaks, this tomato contains beautiful, smooth flesh with plenty of pockets of gel and seeds, all round a nicely balanced tomato! Supurb and definitely a grow-again!
Still potentially unstable but showing good consistency in our garden.
Indeterminate plants are vigorous plants with a vining tendency. They set their fruits at intervals along their stems, and will readily grow side shoots and suckers (shoots from ground level). They need good, strong support, and it is advisable to remove the majority of the side shoots and suckers unless you have plenty of space and fertile soil to allow them to grow to their full potential. See the guide on pruning indeterminates in the resources section of the website for tips.
Sow Jan-April indoors
Height Band G
10-15 open-pollinated seeds
