Tomatoes - esp. for Dandysmom

[dandysmom]

What a beauty it is, largest cherry tomato I've ever seen! I don't grow the beefsteak varieties, prefer medium sized. Ailsa Craig didn't do well the year I tried it; I like Marmande or Rutgers. Seed growing gives you the choice of varieties you want, not what's available commercially.

[angieh]

Ailsa Craig was the commercial variety back in the 60s/70s when I started work in agricultural research, before Moneymaker and I certainly wouldn't grow it for taste - but it was used in plant breeding way back then, so may well be in the genetic makeup of more modern tastier varieties.

[dandysmom]

Steph (remember him? I miss him!) discouraged me from trying Ailsa Craig, but did I listen to the voice of experience.....? No. And he was right. Rutgers, the variety I used was developed right here in the University of Maryland's Agriculture Department in the late 30s, early 40s I think; our next doors neighbors SIL worked there and we got free seedlings. It's hard to find now, but very tasty, real tomato flavor, and adapted perfectly to this climate.

Oh, forgot to say Steph spoke very harshly of Moneymaker!

[angieh]

I quite agree about Moneymaker too! It was in the days when quantity not quality was the prime consideration.

Give me good little Gardeners' Delight for flavour!

[dandysmom]

Have you tried Marmande or Super Marmande? And a Greek variety that's difficult to find but excellent flavor - Larissa.

[Velvet]

Tomato I would go out of my way for is the little Piccolino - oh my for flavour - I eat them like sweets - Marks & Spencers sell them. Might keep some of the seeds to try & grow them next year

[dandysmom]

Velvet, do you know how to do that? If not, there's a post on OFF on exactly that subject, I'd be glad to link it if you want.

My tomatoes weren't ripe when I moved on July 1st to the retirement complex so didn't get to try it myself....

[Velvet]

Ooh no, you had to leave your toms behind?

My parents had a greenhouse which was handy for growing things.

Yes sure love to read the link on the OFF. Thank you for that. I don't do anything special, just save them in a envelope It would be good to know how to do it the right way

[dandysmom]

Oh yes, tomatoes, hot peppers, basil, scallions ... the garden is the only thing I really regret about moving; but it had just gotten too much for me; the right thing to do. Oh, if what you're doing works then you don't need any more info! But I'll look that up after dinner.... I'm headed to the kitchenette now to start it while I watch the 6 pm news.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by dandysmom

Oh yes, tomatoes, hot peppers, basil, scallions ... the garden is the only thing I really regret about moving; but it had just gotten too much for me; the right thing to do. Oh, if what you're doing works then you don't need any more info! But I'll look that up after dinner.... I'm headed to the kitchenette now to start it while I watch the 6 pm news.

Thanks Eileen will look forward to reading about it