Tomatoes Ripening

[Durgan]

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?JFQPW 4 August 2010 Tomatoes

Tomatoes are ripening quickly. There are very few culls and quality and shape is above average. There are about 15 varieties of about two plants each. The plants are all heavily laden with fruit. There appears to be some type of leaf damage, but the fruit is so advanced that this is no problem. Some varieties are not ripe yet. These are all basically table slicing tomatoes. Lemon Boy and Supersonic appear to be the most prolific and of high quality. The Old German heritage has many fruit, but is not high quality similar to most heirlooms.

[grahamhobbs]

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?JFQPW 4 August 2010 Tomatoes

.... but is not high quality similar to most heirlooms.

I think there could be quite alot of disagreement on that point. I don't really like to eat tomatoes myself, but the OH does, she doesn't care about whether they are heirlooms, F1's, or how prolific, easy to grow or anything like that, all she is interested in is taste and the majority of the ones she likes are heirlooms.

What do other people think, what are your favourite tomatoes?

[Durgan]

I like all tomatoes, but my absolute favorite is the dark fleshed type. I have 8 plants and four varieties, but they are not ripe yet.

I have Black Krim, Black from Tula, Black Cherry Cherokee purple. These have been grown the last three years, and I have tested them on many people and all like them. Here is a link to many black types. http://www.tomatogrowers.com/black.htm


For run of the mill use, the hybrids are the best. Tomatoes like potatoes and corn have been crossed so much over the years that the names have lost their meaning. I have grown many so called heirlooms, and all have been distorted and not nice appearance. At least the hybrids have a nice appearance.

[Millymollymandy]

What do other people think, what are your favourite tomatoes?

Given it's the first year I've ever got a tomato worth eating (other than cherries) I am happy with both varieties (Fournaise and Marmande) and they could be modern F1 thingies or heirlooms or come from outer space but I really don't care! Even my mother in law likes them and that's something.

[grahamhobbs]

This year I'm growing the following, (will give full taste review in a few weeks time)
Ailsa Craig (best flavoured red round tomato)
Gardners Delight (good red cherry)
San Marzano (best flavour plum for sauce/cooking))
Black Russian (large ebony coloured distinctive flavour)
Pink Brandywine (very large pink distinctive flavour)
Golden Gem
Roma bush (very productive plum for sauce/cooking)
Black Cherry
Black Krim
Floridity F1
Golden Sunrise (some people love the flavour)
Tigerella

Others I can remember growing but OH didn't find particularly tasty

Golden Cherry (good but only if eaten direct from the plant)
Mission Dyke (nothing special, tendency to split)
St Pierre (standard red round tomato, grown widely in France)
Moneymaker
Inca F1
Marmande
Red Cherry
Garden pearl
Big Boy (big)

[Millymollymandy]

Your OH must eat a huge amount of tomatoes! One of each would be more than enough but how many are you growing?

[grahamhobbs]

Oh is that why she's big red and round? No, she's very nice, my woman, and she's very generous, we feed a circle of people. I grow 2 of each and 3 of the plums for cooking with. Also fortunately some of the heirloom varieties don't produce great quantities, just great flavours. But yes come September we are absolutely groaning under the weight of the things.

[Millymollymandy]

Do you eat them cooked i.e. in sauces?

I've got loads of toms (this year) too, mostly cherries but I will freeze excess so unlike with courgettes and cucumbers there is no waste or giving away, and definitely not gonna be given to chickens.

But you're a nice guy to grow them just for your other half.

Sorry Durgan we have taken over your thread.

[grahamhobbs]

MMM, not really, although if the sauce has got plenty of vinegar and stuff in it I can deal with it on a pizza. I'm a pain really, I don't like to eat tomatoes or potatoes and can't stand peppers or aubergines and I never (if I possibly can) eat anything with sugar. I don't know how the OH puts up with me, so I guess I have to grow what she likes.

[Millymollymandy]

No spuds!!! Goodness Graham you sound more difficult to feed than my mother in law who is currently here, but at least when we go out for a meal if all else fails (and often does) she can always eat a plate of chips and a pud! I can't feed her spag bol or chilli cos she won't eat pasta or rice, I guess you don't eat them cos of the tomatoes!

So what did you vote for as your most hated veg, out of interest?

[grahamhobbs]

Aubergines and peppers, can't stand the taste of them. I don't like to eat potatoes or tomatoes, certainly not in quantity, the taste is alright but they give me a kind of pain or ache across my back. Strangely my sister, who I hadn't really been in contact with for a few years, was told by her doctor not to eat them because she was getting arthretic pains in her shoulders.
They are all part of the solanacious family, as is the deadly nighshade, and many people think they are a mild poison.

[Millymollymandy]

That's very interesting, and aubergines are part of that family too, though that won't be a problem for you if you don't like the taste. Sorry you have a problem with the ones that you don't dislike though!