Black Seaman or Black Prince?

[schill93]

I am growing some dwarfs for my neighbor who is handicapped, but I wanted to grow him a non dwarf black tomato as well that is hopefully prolific in our hot desert climate here.(get it in early for him) He is not fond of cherries and would like something for putting on burgers or sandwiches.

He could not handle a large indeterminate so I was trying to find a black that is at least tennis ball size. Both of these plants are compact, which is what I need, but the few reviews I could find do not sing it's praises.

Can anyone comment on either one of these. Or.... if you know of any other black that might qualify in size for him.

[User 636]

My black prince grew easily and well. I'm over in Virginia. The size is correct for what you want. The taste was good. They loved to crack when it rained and were hardy. The rain cracking is why I didn't try them again. It wasn't my most aggressive grower but I dunno if compact is how I'd describe it.

[cloz]

I grew Black Seaman and Black Prince in 2011. My notes say Black Seaman had poor production and Black Prince's taste was nothing special so I never grew them again. Have you considered any of the new Dwarf Project tomatoes? My daughter grew Tasmanian Chocolate and loved the taste as well as having very good production. It seems to get good reviews here on Tville also. It would fit your compact size requirements.

Cloz

[schill93]

User636: Sorry to hear it is not so compact. I probably would not have such a problem with cracking from rain, as it never rains here.

cloz: I am growing Tasmanian Choc. for him along with Orange Cream and Sweet Scarlet. But as I know the dwarfs can be temperamental from what I read here, so I was looking for a little insurance, and he loves the blacks (black/brown/purple)

Which just reminded me of Black and Brown Boar. Does anyone know how big that plant gets? I think the fruit is quite small though.

[MissS]

Paul Robeson stays rather small and has great tasting fruit. My plants usually are somewhere between 3-4 feet tall.

[rhines81]

Originally Posted by MissS

Paul Robeson stays rather small and has great tasting fruit. My plants usually are somewhere between 3-4 feet tall.

Paul Rs are usually the biggest plants in my garden, no less than 6 foot and have had plenty of 1 pound+ fruits, usually about 3/4#, but some get very large. Every year I add at least one more plant of this variety ... very tasty! 8" basket of Paul Rs below.

[gorbelly]

I just started a thread on Black. Maybe it will be of interest.

[cloz]

Another vote for Paul Robeson. Mine usually go to about 5' and yes the taste is great. I forgot about it till MissS posted.

Cloz

[schill93]

I believe it does well for you, as you are up North. It is my understanding that it does not fare very well in the southern or desert heat. But thank you very much for the suggestion. I myself would love to be able to try it, as I know it is very special.

[mskid]

I am a Black Prince fan. Grown 3 years now in the deep south. It has a nice flavor to me and matures earlier than most. Also stays reasonably productive through a range of temps. I find it to be my most no fuss heirloom. Sizes range from 3 to 5 ounces with an occasional 6.

[Worth1]

Black Prince in my area.
First to flop from the plague.
Nothing to write home about on flavor.
From what I read in the post it was a tomato that would be good on a sandwich or burger.
It doesn't fit this bill plus I had one grow to 16 feet.

If it were me and I had a choice it would be Cherokee Purple.
Big plant big tomato but great flavor.
I have tried other blacks and this one keeps standing out as the best by far.

Worth

[Gardeneer]

My favorite is Black from Tula. Very early, Very productive, Very tasty. Plant size is manageable about 6ft. I did real well in PNW but I don't how it will do down south or hoe climates. And of course Cherokee purple is a classic if you are not picky about production.

[AKmark]

I grew BP a couple of seasons, taste can be good or ho-hum depending on the time of year. It also cracks if watering is not spot on, production was good. Have not grown BS

[PureHarvest]

Black and brown boar was one of my fastest growing/ vigorous plants last year.
Grew tall like a cherry but has fruit larger than a golf ball but smaller than a tree plum.
Very good texture and flavor but sounds like it would be a bit more plant than you are looking for.

[schill93]

Originally Posted by PureHarvest

Black and brown boar was one of my fastest growing/ vigorous plants last year.
Grew tall like a cherry but has fruit larger than a golf ball but smaller than a tree plum.
Very good texture and flavor but sounds like it would be a bit more plant than you are looking for.

Now darn it. I was planning on growing that for him as all the vendors claim it is a "compact plant". Now you are saying it was very tall. Can anyone else verify their experience with it as far as height goes?