My first ripe tomatoes for 2012

[Mlm1]

I picked all of my ripe tomatoes today. These are the first out of 94 varieties. I am 73 days from planting and 126 days from starting seed. Usually both Steve and I compare the ripening day to that of Moravsky Div (i.e. 1 week earlier than MD or two weeks later, etc). I think that is another helpful measure since they all change year to year with growing conditions. Unfortunately I forgot to plant Moravsky Div this year and I miss it. I also forgot to pick the dwarfs. One Iditarod Red and one Perth Pride should have been in the picture.

Marla

[jerryinfla]

Congratulations, Marla! Hope you have a bountiful harvest all season

[Mlm1]

Thanks Jerry. It's nice to have fresh garden tomatoes again. Looks like you are in Florida. I hope tropical storm Debbie isn't drowning you.

Marla

[z_willus_d]

You have a beautiful spread there Marla, but with 84 more varieties to come you're going to have to find a bigger table.

Enjoy the bounty.
-naysen

[PA_Julia]

Delicious!!!

They all look extremely healthy and happy.



Julia

[Heritage]

Great job, Marla!

Polan is larger than I expected to see. Is it a Determinate, PL, Pink? Did you get a chance to taste it?

Steve

[rsg2001]

Awesome! I have a while to go before I can do that (lol)! Could you also give us a rundown on taste?

[Mlm1]

Thanks Naysen and Julia.

Steve, Polan is larger than I expected from Tania's description. This tomato was 8 oz not the 4 oz of the description. I wondered if I had it wrong but all of my Polan plants are tall determinate potato leaf and the fruit is pink (red flesh and colorless epidermis) as they should be. Since determinate, potato leaf and colorless epidermis are all recessive traits I think this has to be the correct tomato. I bet there are very few determinate potato leaf heirlooms. I'm guessing there is some variation in size depending on conditions. Possibly Tania would have more thoughts on this.

Rsg, the flavor on Elfin, Sweet Casady and Sweet as Linda was very good. In fact I had already eaten most of those prior to the picture. The rest are ok, better than store bought. I don't think the larger tomatoes ever have much flavor this early in the season so I'll wait awhile before I decide about their flavor. I wonder if that is true in cooler climates. Are the first tomatoes of the season bland everywhere or just in hotter climates?

Marla

[lakelady]

How exciting Marla! I'm so jealous as mine are all still small greenies for the most part, I check them more than once a day though and keep hoping soon-soon-soon! Great pic, thanks for sharing it.

Re: tropical storm Debbie...I just thought that was a very angry former relative of mine over in Tampa (lol) . I hope the REST of the state manages just fine !