Which tomato would you suggest?

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Fidgetsmum, Mar 23, 2011.

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  1. Fidgetsmum

    Fidgetsmum Total Gardener

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    Last year I had Gardener's Delight, Shirely and Moneymaker tomatoes in my unheated greenhouse and was very disappointed by the flavour of all of them. What would seasoned greenhouse tomato growers recommend I try instead ... bearing in mind that I haven't yet ever been able to grow any tomato from seed.
     
    Fidgetsmum, Mar 23, 2011
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  2. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    This is a much discussed subject with some very experienced gardeners expressing their likes and dislikes, so you should get some really good advice from growing from seed, pollinating, and harvesting. It might pay you to search for Threads on the subject - and you' see what I mean.
     
    ARMANDII, Mar 23, 2011
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  3. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    I like Gardener's Delight and Shirley. Moneymaker is tasteless.

    Sungold is generally the one that gardeners recommend.
     
    Kristen, Mar 23, 2011
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  4. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    JWK, Mar 23, 2011
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  5. rickymarteen

    rickymarteen Account not Activated

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    I would suggest a red tomatoes for best products....
     
    rickymarteen, Mar 24, 2011
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  6. Freddy

    Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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    Hi.

    Obviously it's a matter of opinion, but I can only speak as I find, and I find that Sungold so far have been by far the best tasting of the ones I've tried. I don't know however how easy they will be to find in 'plant' form.

    Cheers...Freddy.
     
    Freddy, Mar 24, 2011
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  7. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I've had another think since I posted alternative varieties FidgetsMum, as you have already grown Gardeners Delight and Shirley which are both great tasting tomatoes I'm wondering if there is some other reason why you found them disappointing.

    I reckon it may be down to your growing conditions, so I just wondered how you grew them? In gro-bags or in the soil. I suppose you fed them with a tomato feed at least once a week after the fruit set? Was your greenhouse too hot (i.e. did you use shading?) or maybe if you used growbags and maybe overwatered? Was the compst waterlogged (soggy). Sorry for all the questions, but I'm wondering if it's worth going back to basics.
     
    JWK, Mar 24, 2011
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  8. Poolcue

    Poolcue Gardener

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    Sweet Million is a decent tasting cherry tomato.F1 though so you can't save the seeds
     
    Poolcue, Mar 25, 2011
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  9. Fidgetsmum

    Fidgetsmum Total Gardener

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    Here, I'm really answering JWK's questions - ones I've also asked of myself - but here goes ...

    Some were grown in gro-bags (2 Levingtons bags set one on top of the other) and some in the soil: I fed them at least once a week and the watering was fine, they were neither neglected nor drowned. I had shading on the greenhouse and the door, window and vents were open.

    I'm not suggesting it wasn't my fault in some way, but the only thing I can think of was the heat ... it came suddenly, was blisteringly hot for a while (nearly 140 F once or twice) and on those days I added more shading by judicious use of the garden parasol (rather than using it to shade myself!) and sluiced down with plenty of water inside in an effort to reduce the temperature. I'm just wondering if they would have preferred slightly less heat but for a more sustained period.

    I'm not giving up on the 'old faithfuls' because I had a really good crop, but last year the skins were tough and the flesh pretty tasteless, I just thought maybe I should try something different? Better? More suited to a greenhouse? :dunno:
     
    Fidgetsmum, Mar 25, 2011
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  10. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Tough skins are caused by high temperatures and/or under-watering. But like you I find it very difficult to control the temp in my greenhouse, last year I had a bit of 'greenback' which is caused by too much sun - those tomatoes were inedible, but it was only a few. I used horticultrural fleece draped over the top as well as the white 'coolglass' paint to get it back under control. Anything over 90 deg f and tomatoes stop growing, so you need to try and keep it below that - I know from experience that is very difficult.

    I'm glad you are still going to continue, it's a good idea to try another variety or two - good luck!
     
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      JWK, Mar 25, 2011
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    • Penny in Ontario

      Penny in Ontario Total Gardener

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      My 4 favorites, that are staples in my garden are....amish paste, black krim, mortgage lifter, and black cherry tomato.
       
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        Penny in Ontario, Mar 26, 2011
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      • Spruce

        Spruce Glad to be back .....

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        Hi All
        First time with "Pink Girl" never grown it before so we will wait and see the other one I will be growing is Santa I only used half the seed last year so have kept in the fridge in a air tight container so hopfully should be ok , they are hard to get hold of now.

        Spruce
         
        Spruce, Mar 27, 2011
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      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        I've never heard of "mortgage lifter" before, just googled it to see the story behind the unusual name - fascinating! Thanks Penny! :thumbsup:
         
        JWK, Mar 27, 2011
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      • Mr Purple

        Mr Purple Apprentice Gardener

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        Hi
        We have gone for Piccolo,Sungold and Country Taste. All 3 were recommened by visitors to our greenhouse. Lets hope they are as tasty as they suggested!
         
        Mr Purple, Mar 28, 2011
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      • Penny in Ontario

        Penny in Ontario Total Gardener

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        Let me know if you would like some seeds, John:thumb:

        I can pop some into the mail for you :dbgrtmb:
         
        Penny in Ontario, Mar 28, 2011
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