Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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February 18, 2018 | #16 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Zone 5A, Poconos
Posts: 959
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February 18, 2018 | #17 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Omaha Zone 5
Posts: 2,514
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Quote:
Keeping PR in your home bed is still worth considering as blacks tend to split readily and keeping a close eye on them is key to a blemish free harvest. - Lisa |
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February 18, 2018 | #18 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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Quote:
kath On another thread here about the tallest tomato you've grown, cherries were mentioned most, but Gary 'OSena and Limbaugh's Legacy got HUGE in b54red's garden. Hope you don't mind, Bill. Last edited by kath; February 18, 2018 at 07:37 PM. |
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February 18, 2018 | #19 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Pulaski County, Arkansas
Posts: 1,239
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Sweet million will jump out of the top with ease.
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February 18, 2018 | #20 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Omaha Zone 5
Posts: 2,514
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Quote:
Indeed it is heavy on cherries. Two more tall growers for consideration. - Lisa |
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February 18, 2018 | #21 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: San Marcos, CA
Posts: 352
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I had three varieties reach the top of my Texas Tomato Cages last year. German Johnson, Joe's Pink Oxheart and Pink Ping Pong. Only one of those fits your criteria of beefsteak varieties. If you can find some seed for Joe's Pink Oxheart, you ought to give it a try. Tremendously vigorous and great flavor.
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February 18, 2018 | #22 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Steens, MS 8a
Posts: 410
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I grow 3 main hybrids every year: Early Girl, Big Beef, and Park's Whopper. They all top out at over 7'....
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February 18, 2018 | #23 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 1,836
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Quote:
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February 18, 2018 | #24 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 1,836
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If you have a cage open... Juane Flamme
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February 19, 2018 | #25 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Philly 7A
Posts: 739
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Have grown with great results
Mortgage Lifter Brandywine Red Cherokee purple Trying this year True Black Brandywine Red. The first time I grew the ML, BR and CP, I tried vertical support with nylon string, the string broke from the weight of the plants and I just let them grow where they wanted to. |
February 19, 2018 | #26 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ohio
Posts: 4,350
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I would leave the big beef on the list just because of the weight all the tomatoes the plant make.it needs a really sturdy cage. it isn't an exceptionally tall plant but it yields a lot of large tomatoes. I normally get 16 tomatoes to a peck basket.
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carolyn k |
February 19, 2018 | #27 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Virginia Bch, VA (7b)
Posts: 1,337
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Quote:
leaned over. We don't have tornado's or high winds here though. |
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February 19, 2018 | #28 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Pulaski County, Arkansas
Posts: 1,239
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yes to t-post in the land of oz, and I use zip ties x2 to secure - makes setup a breeze.
I didn't see what "size" you got - the 20" or 24". I got the 24" and initially the cage can be a bit overwhelming for young transplants. I have been toying with cone insertion inside the TTC to add stability during the early stages, as you allude, the torrents of spring can be tornadic and dramatic. some years my plants jump the top and I add extension - as needed - I have like 30 cages and only 8 extensions. the sweet million or SS100 growns like a bean stalk. other specimens (zone 8a): 1) Brandy Boy. Usually gets about 8' by the solstice, but also grows wide. The cage is nice to tie off to with big branches and heavy fruit. 2) Cherokee Purple. Usually gets about 7.5" by the solstice (a tad less than BB). 3) Supersteak Hybrid. I am not growing this year, but is a prolific grower 8+ and puts off monster 2lb perfect softball toms. 4) Many others seem to get in that range. Not a fan of Big Beef or Better Boy. Both due well here but are generic to this area. Everyone and their momma grows those and not best in taste to me. Figure most grow b/c of the widespread disease and those hold up better than others. IMO, it changes season to season and soil condition. If heavy fert. - I guess most can get large. Probably depends on the zone and weather to large degree too. I personally like the TTC, easy setup, easy storage (or just leave outside) and not a rusty mess. The t-post will be enuff of an anchor, so don't feel inclined to stab the TTC all the way down - just enuff to "grab" some dirt. Then again, I'm no expert. I look forward to your experiment this year and congrats on the TTC. I think you will like them and they will last. The real joy comes when everything is in full swing and you can trim back to avoid a convoluted mess. |
February 19, 2018 | #29 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 1,714
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I love my Texas cages--they don't rust AND they fold for easy storage. After years of struggling to roll up my numerous rusted concrete reinforcement cages, I just wish I knew about them when I first started out. They'll last forever so I could've gotten more use out of them!
How about KBX or Kelloggs Breakfast? |
February 19, 2018 | #30 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: California
Posts: 383
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If you don't mind a hybrid Roma style paste, I would recommend Granadero F1 from Johnny's selected seeds.
Tops out my 8' bamboo stakes every year, produces into the fall with a great flavor for saucing, if you are so inclined. This is the only hybrid and Roma I ever grow, and it never lets me down. Eight seasons strong now. |
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