Lucky Cross

• A fortunate cross by Craig LeHouillier: Lucky Cross originated in 1997 from an accidental cross between Brandywine and an unknown tomato variety, discovered and developed further by Craig LeHouillier in the United States. Its name reflects this unexpected but successful result. According to the supplied variety information, it appeared in the Seed Savers Yearbook in 2002.
• Large fruits in warm bicolour shades: The flattened beefsteak tomatoes usually weigh 250 to 500 grams according to our variety description. They have full, rounded shoulders with ribbing near the stem. Their skin turns golden yellow to orange with pink-red highlights; the shoulders change from green to orange-red when fully ripe.
• Tender flesh with a rich flavour: The meaty, juicy flesh has the pleasantly tender texture associated with Brandywine. Yellow and orange flesh is beautifully marbled with pink. Its flavour is full, complex and sweet, with the depth appreciated by lovers of large beefsteak tomatoes.
• A vigorous plant with potato leaves: Lucky Cross is indeterminate and develops strong, vigorous plants with distinctive potato-leaf foliage. Growth is substantial, with plants capable of reaching around 1.8 metres or more. Sturdy support is important for the heavy fruits.
• A rewarding harvest in the second half of the season: Lucky Cross is relatively late to ripen, giving good yields mainly from the second half of the season. Fruit size is generally fairly consistent. An appealing choice for gardeners willing to wait for large, flavourful bicolour beefsteak tomatoes.