2019 Results

[Solanum315]

For a while in April and May, I was thinking that this was going to be a bad year. Cold weather and ridiculous rainfall in NY delayed me putting my plants into the ground and even after I put them in the ground in mid May, they still were not super happy about the temps and wetness. One thing I did differently this year was planting in large pots with a hole in the bottom for roots to reach into the ground undersneath. In a good year, I think this would be less than ideal but in an overly wet year, I think it kept their feet relatively dry and also let me stay away for a few days when it finally got hot.

Anyway, on to pictures. First up is Minnie Moose, formerly known as Pink from Syracuse. I mentioned it in another thread. This is the F2 of an accidental cross between Black From Tula and Angeles City Native (a commercial variety from the Philippines). First few pics are from a megabloom and the second few are more normally formed fruits. Slightly on the acid side of balanced flavor.

[Solanum315]

This is the result of stabilizing Kumato seeds. Despite being 8 generations away from F1, the plants are still large, resistant to disease and very productive. Fruit is firm but not crunchy hard and more balanced than the original from the grocery store.

[Solanum315]

Wow, largest fruit I have ever grown at 22 ounces. I love the meatiness and color. On the other hand, the bicolor taste has always struck me as somewhat insipid. It is certainly not bad, but not especially impressive either. Good candidate for a breeding project. Maybe cross with a PL Brandywine....

[Solanum315]

Continuing on with my interest in foreign commercial varieties, this is Squarehead Pink (given name for Korean market tomato). I started growing it in 2011 and so far I have seen one minor variation in that the fruit has gone from a very round shape to somewhat pointed on most fruit. Early, firm and balanced. Head and shoulders above most domestic grocery store tomatoes. This one was a megablossom so kinda cheating here...

[Solanum315]

My first time growing these. Plants are very healthy with a stout main stem which is probably a good thing since they are very productive. Much more productive than Black From Tula which they look identical to in terms of fruit. Flavor is good but a little less complex and straight up sugary. Almost more like Black Cherry than Black From Tula. This one was clearly a megabloom.

[Mr Tickle]

Great pics and informative. What are your summer temperatures?

[NarnianGarden]

Wow, lovely pics! Surprised to hear that this was your first year growing Black krim - it very often is the 'gateway variety'.. a true and tested delicacy!

[Solanum315]

Originally Posted by Mr Tickle

Great pics and informative. What are your summer temperatures?

We had about a month of highs in the mid to high 80s and with nights in the low 70s. Right now we are looking at highs in the 70s and lows in the low 50s...a little cool for my plants, especially my peppers.

[Solanum315]

Originally Posted by NarnianGarden

Wow, lovely pics! Surprised to hear that this was your first year growing Black krim - it very often is the 'gateway variety'.. a true and tested delicacy!

My gateway, like many, was SSE. I remember looking at my first SSE catalog in 2008 and trying to decide which Russian black I wanted to try first. I think I chose well with BFT but I will definitely keep BK in the rotation from now on. Would be kinda fun to cross BFT and BK but perhaps difficult to determine if they are in fact crossed.

[NarnianGarden]

BFT is definitely delicious too. Indian Stripe and Black Prince are maybe my favorites.. and the French strain OR whatever it is in relation to Black krim, Noire de Crimee. Smaller and more abundant fruits, very vigorous and the same earthy flavor.

[Whwoz]

Some nice photos and good reports. well done and keep it up Solanum 315