Beautiful, uniform, blemish free tomatoes - Page 2

TomatoDon · July 13, 2020

While researching I found this, which I find to be very helpful. I'm not trying to advertise Portland Nursery that created this list, but the list does have a lot of good information about many different kinds of tomatoes. I'm never seen a list done like this before and I think the readers will benefit from it.

https://portlandnursery.com/docs/tom...matoMaster.pdf

**nctomatoman** · July 13, 2020

one issue, Don, stemming from your comment on Arkansas Traveler, is veracity of seeds. We are now 45 years past the rise of OPs catalyzed by the formation of the SSE. With so many involved now in seed saving, sharing and selling, growing the authentic deal becomes more of a challenge. For given varieties with excellent reputations, it is worth exploring multiple seed sources.

**Lee** · July 13, 2020

Akers West Virginia

Mountain Gem (TSWV tolerance and as good tasting as Big Beef)
I think Carbon would also be another good one to try

Lee

**nctomatoman** · July 13, 2020

Hi Lee from four hours west! We seemed to have escaped heat, humidity and deer!

Still working with Ruby and Brawny? Hoping all is great with you...once this mess is calmed down, if you visit the Asheville/Hendersonville area at some point, let me know!

Greatgardens · July 13, 2020

Jet Star F1

It has stood the test of time. 6-9 oz typical. Attractive, generally unblemished fruit. Great taste (IMO). Good producer. Very manageable plant size -- compact IND.

Yak54 · July 13, 2020

St. Pierre and Rose De Berne would be good choices for your criteria.

GreenThumbGal_07 · July 18, 2020

I'd like to second St. Pierre, and add Santa Clara Canner.
All recently-reported blossom end rot (BER) problems aside, the unaffected fruit of these two are picture perfect, nice and symmetrical, round and smooth.
SCC is so pretty (though still green) it could feature in a seed catalog illustration.

Dark Rumor · July 19, 2020

Mule team

TomatoDon · July 19, 2020

I've been away a few days and love all the posts I see now that I'm back! Thanks everyone, for your comments.
To Craig, I am not a breeder or an expert on varieties, lines and strains, but common sense makes me agree with your post about Arkansas Traveler. I've always heard it is a great tomato, but the ones I have on several plants are small, knotty, and to be blunt, not worth picking unless someone wanted some canners.

These came from a nursery that grows, I'd guess a million or more seedlings a year of all vegetables, so there is no telling where this seed came from. However, they will grow whatever seen you take them, so maybe I should try that next year. When you have time, PM if you have any specific seed source for Arkansas Traveler that you would recommend.
Thanks!
Don

TomatoDon · July 19, 2020

This is a little off topic, but not worthy of its own thread, but everyone here loves Cherokee Purple. If I don't pick them a little early they are bad to split. Is there another variety similar, ie Indian Stripe, etc., that doesn't split as much as Cherokee Purple?
BTW, Craig, thanks again for your work with CP. It is the only tomato I grow that multiple customers ask for by name.

TomatoDon · July 19, 2020

I've heard that Mule Team and Box Car Willie are the same. Or are they just very similar? Does anyone have info on that?

Yak54 · July 19, 2020

I grew both Cherokee Purple and Box Car Willie last season and as far as flavor goes, Box car Willie does not measure up to Cherokee Purple according to my taste buds. However as far as productivity goes Box Car Willie produced about double what Cherokee Purple did last season. Just my experience. Also beware of your seed source for Box Car Willie. Depending on where you get the seeds from, there are major differences.

Dan

Dark Rumor · July 19, 2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomatoDon

I've heard that Mule Team and Box Car Willie are the same. Or are they just very similar? Does anyone have info on that?

The year I grew Box car, it had dark green shoulders and mule team does not.

Fusion_power · July 19, 2020

The Arkansas Traveler description is definitely not correct. It is a highly productive tomato producing loads of fruit. However, I would recommend Burgundy Traveler instead. If you dig around, you can also find Traveler76 and a couple of other releases from the Arkansas program.

Eva Purple Ball and Druzba would be near the top of my list for excellent tomatoes. Lynnwood is another than really churns them out and tastes scrumptious. As others have noted, Box Car Willie and Muleteam tend to produce heavily. Picardy is a smaller fruit, but definitely on the list for a top notch canning tomato.

I've had excellent results with Nebraska Wedding, love Bloody Butcher for a small early tomato, have a love affair going with Jaune Flammee, and could probably rake my memory for another dozen that are highly memorable for production, flavor, and consistency.

TomatoDon · July 19, 2020

Craig and Daryl, here are pics I just took of my row of about 20 Arkansas Travelers. The two I'm holding in one hand are the largest of the lot. The others are typical and are just small and knotty.

July 13, 2020	#16
TomatoDon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MS Posts: 1,523	While researching I found this, which I find to be very helpful. I'm not trying to advertise Portland Nursery that created this list, but the list does have a lot of good information about many different kinds of tomatoes. I'm never seen a list done like this before and I think the readers will benefit from it. https://portlandnursery.com/docs/tom...matoMaster.pdf __________________ Zone 7B, N. MS Last edited by TomatoDon; July 13, 2020 at 04:50 AM.

July 13, 2020	#17
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	one issue, Don, stemming from your comment on Arkansas Traveler, is veracity of seeds. We are now 45 years past the rise of OPs catalyzed by the formation of the SSE. With so many involved now in seed saving, sharing and selling, growing the authentic deal becomes more of a challenge. For given varieties with excellent reputations, it is worth exploring multiple seed sources. __________________ Craig

July 13, 2020	#18
Lee Tomatopalooza™ Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NC-Zone 7 Posts: 2,188	Akers West Virginia Mountain Gem (TSWV tolerance and as good tasting as Big Beef) I think Carbon would also be another good one to try Lee __________________ Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put one in a fruit salad. Cuostralee - The best thing on sliced bread.

July 13, 2020	#19
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Hi Lee from four hours west! We seemed to have escaped heat, humidity and deer! Still working with Ruby and Brawny? Hoping all is great with you...once this mess is calmed down, if you visit the Asheville/Hendersonville area at some point, let me know! __________________ Craig

July 19, 2020	#24
TomatoDon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MS Posts: 1,523	I've been away a few days and love all the posts I see now that I'm back! Thanks everyone, for your comments. To Craig, I am not a breeder or an expert on varieties, lines and strains, but common sense makes me agree with your post about Arkansas Traveler. I've always heard it is a great tomato, but the ones I have on several plants are small, knotty, and to be blunt, not worth picking unless someone wanted some canners. These came from a nursery that grows, I'd guess a million or more seedlings a year of all vegetables, so there is no telling where this seed came from. However, they will grow whatever seen you take them, so maybe I should try that next year. When you have time, PM if you have any specific seed source for Arkansas Traveler that you would recommend. Thanks! Don __________________ Zone 7B, N. MS

July 13, 2020	#20
Greatgardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,124	Jet Star F1 It has stood the test of time. 6-9 oz typical. Attractive, generally unblemished fruit. Great taste (IMO). Good producer. Very manageable plant size -- compact IND.

July 13, 2020	#21
Yak54 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Madison, OH, zone 6 Posts: 461	St. Pierre and Rose De Berne would be good choices for your criteria.

July 18, 2020	#22
GreenThumbGal_07 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern California Posts: 300	I'd like to second St. Pierre, and add Santa Clara Canner. All recently-reported blossom end rot (BER) problems aside, the unaffected fruit of these two are picture perfect, nice and symmetrical, round and smooth. SCC is so pretty (though still green) it could feature in a seed catalog illustration.

July 19, 2020	#23
Dark Rumor Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 287	Mule team

July 19, 2020	#29
Fusion_power Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,250	The Arkansas Traveler description is definitely not correct. It is a highly productive tomato producing loads of fruit. However, I would recommend Burgundy Traveler instead. If you dig around, you can also find Traveler76 and a couple of other releases from the Arkansas program. Eva Purple Ball and Druzba would be near the top of my list for excellent tomatoes. Lynnwood is another than really churns them out and tastes scrumptious. As others have noted, Box Car Willie and Muleteam tend to produce heavily. Picardy is a smaller fruit, but definitely on the list for a top notch canning tomato. I've had excellent results with Nebraska Wedding, love Bloody Butcher for a small early tomato, have a love affair going with Jaune Flammee, and could probably rake my memory for another dozen that are highly memorable for production, flavor, and consistency.