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The North Coast

For me there is nothing worse than reading a great description of a tomato, grow it from seed, only to find out that the variety had other undesirable traits that were not mentioned. Anybody want to share the negative traits that they have experienced? Lets try to keep it simple by mostly focusing on the bad traits.

1/18/2013 8:34:05 AM

The North Coast

Mountain Magic-high level of crack resistance = tough skin.
White Beauty- low vigor, doesnt set well in heat, got 3 tomatoes all year.
Cherokee Purple-the stain I grew was terrible, low vigor,low production.
Opalka- my worst ever for blossom end rot.
Currant tomato-throw a handful in your mouth and in two chews all you have left is a wad of tomato skin.

1/18/2013 8:40:56 AM

Mercersburg, PA

anything with the name roma in it doesnt like my soil, but amish paste was good..
mr. stripey does not keep well. probably cracks and oozes 3 days earlier than my red varieties when ripening on a table for sauce making. production of plants was good though.

1/18/2013 5:51:58 PM

East Carbon, Utah

In my limited experience, more than half of the "HUGE, 2-3+ pounds!!" varieties will give you at best a couple of tomatoes a little over 1 lb.

I've grown several varieties which are horribly beset by foliage diseases, while other varieties all around them do just fine. But then who would advertize, "these will be sick plants"? Of course if I put in the time and effort, I could control diseases and pests to some extent, but I usually just let 'em grow.

There are a few really mealy textured and mild tasting varieties out there which just do NOT appeal to me, but apparently some people like them! Again, I've never seen "mealy" in a desription.

Totally agree about the currant varieties. Some of them have excellent flavor, but I would have to charge customers at least $25 per pound to make them worth my time and aggravation.

Which is why I prefer growing the BIG ones!

1/18/2013 9:33:30 PM

England, essex

i have lost count with all the toms i have grown,
biggest description rubbish were the blight resistant varieties,,,,

i can never blame poor set on anything other than myself and the weather.

i do have 1 standby that always seems to be good to me though

1/19/2013 6:16:16 AM

Bethlehem CT

Cherry tomato varieties like sweet 100, or sweet million. Split wide open with even a modest rainfall.

1/19/2013 8:29:29 AM

Ontario

I find Johnnyseed is pretty accurate with their discriptions. I grow New Girl from them great tomatoe . From Seed Savers I like Italian heirloom and Large Red Cherry. Terry

1/19/2013 1:15:24 PM