Green Zebra vs Aunt Ruby's German Green
Two green-when-ripe varieties at opposite ends of the size range.
| Green Zebra | Aunt Ruby's German Green | |
|---|---|---|
| Breeding | Open-pollinated | Heirloom |
| Growth habit | Indeterminate | Indeterminate |
| Days to maturity | 75-78 | 80-85 |
| Fruit color | green with stripes | green |
| Fruit size class | saladette | beefsteak |
| Typical weight | 2-4 oz | 12-16 oz |
| Primary uses | slicing | slicing |
| Introduced | 1983 | - |
| Documented resistances | 0 | 0 |
| Saves true from seed | Yes | Yes |
Disease resistance
Green Zebra
No documented resistance, typical of older open-pollinated varieties.
Aunt Ruby's German Green
No documented resistance, typical of older open-pollinated varieties.
Traits
Both: Open-Pollinated, Indeterminate, Green When Ripe, Slicing
Only Green Zebra
- Striped
- Saladette
- Mid Season
Only Aunt Ruby's German Green
- Heirloom
- Beefsteak
- Late Season
Origins
Green Zebra
Bred by Tom Wagner of Tater-Mater Seeds and released in 1983, not an antique, but a modern open-pollinated classic. Chartreuse fruit with darker green stripes and a sharp, bright tang; a chef favorite since Alice Waters put it on the Chez Panisse menu.
Aunt Ruby's German Green
A Tennessee family heirloom from Ruby Arnold of Greeneville, released through Seed Savers Exchange. The definitive green-when-ripe beefsteak: sweet, spicy, and ripe when the shoulders blush amber.
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Sources & References
Evidence: 4 sources, including 1 independent reference.
- Victory Seeds variety histories · Victory Seed Company, Seed Catalog
- Tomato Growers Supply catalog · Tomato Growers Supply Company, Seed Catalog
- Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners · Cornell University Cooperative Extension, University or Government
- Seed Savers Exchange catalog & variety histories · Seed Savers Exchange, Community Collection