KarenO "subtle differences"
. I have to say it was a bit daunting for me to pick my way through the ten "Rodney" F3s but the closer you look, the more clear the differences are. The question is, how to decide among several key traits - size, color, taste, texture not to mention growth habit tendencies. I was not 100% in agreement with my taste testers, although I respected their choice and in the end I agreed - because I let the #1 tasting plant set some late fruit when others had been long since cut down and carried away, and they were really perfect and exquisite, outstanding taste. But bearing in mind my experience with 'lost traits' in the Black Nipper line, I saved seed from all of the plants that I thought were contenders.
Overall the determinate Rodney F3s were really good. They are very different from the Skipper line (my personal fave) but have great qualities of their own. The texture of the fruit is very smooth and dense, with regular shapes that are not prone to cracking or deformities of any kind. There was some sunscald on shoulders which varied from plant to plant but could be due to position - my ideal fruit has no corky bit at the stem end so I took a hard look at that as well. The taste of the losers was still rated "respectable" by the tasters.
So here are some pics of the top contenders. RodneyTerracottaEast was my pick for growth habit - no leggy bits. Slightly larger fruit according to my notes although only 5 locules; slightly 'ruffly' shape. Largest fruit weighed 91 g, average 78 g. Some sunscald on the upper tier. Tasters rating "respectable".
Rodney Whitepot was my personal top pick. Really dark color, six locules, perfect flat beef shape, least amount of 'cork' from the stem, and notably sweet which enhances the taste overall. Weights mostly 50-70 g. No sunscald but maybe due to position. Tasters rating "sweet".
Rodney Greypot3P5 has a rounder fruit shape and looks a bit smaller although recorded weights were similar to Whitepot up to 74 g. There is a bit more cork in it, the color is paler, and only 4 locules. But it has a flavor note in it which was not present in the others. Tasters rating "best".
Incidentally, the tasters visited on different days, so not influenced by each other, but gave exactly the same responses. When given a fourth contender to taste they both said "I can't taste any difference". I think it may be tricky to taste ten similar tomatoes in a row!