Heirlooms NOT to grow!

mensplace · December 11, 2009

I am wondering if there are many of the older varieties (hybrid or heirloom)that you have experienced growing and tasting that you think fell into obscurity for good reason. Looking, for example, at the history of apples there were many of the older varieties that were grown solely because they were hard as rocks and able to endure the problems of the early days of shipping with no refrigeration, long periods in transport, lack of refrigerated/gassed warrehouses, etc., even though the flavor was often referenced as biting into sawdust or cardboard. The old Ben Davis comes to mind. Others simply were constantly problem plagued with insects and disease. Are there any of the old tomato varieties that will always stand out in your mind as varieties to be avoided whether due to lack of flavor or productivity, or simply too problem plagued? Any of the older varieties that one should know before attempting that WILL require considerable and constant care and special efforts? NOT in any way a shot at heirlooms; just curious.

December 11, 2009	#1
mensplace Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA Posts: 1,013	Heirlooms NOT to grow! I am wondering if there are many of the older varieties (hybrid or heirloom)that you have experienced growing and tasting that you think fell into obscurity for good reason. Looking, for example, at the history of apples there were many of the older varieties that were grown solely because they were hard as rocks and able to endure the problems of the early days of shipping with no refrigeration, long periods in transport, lack of refrigerated/gassed warrehouses, etc., even though the flavor was often referenced as biting into sawdust or cardboard. The old Ben Davis comes to mind. Others simply were constantly problem plagued with insects and disease. Are there any of the old tomato varieties that will always stand out in your mind as varieties to be avoided whether due to lack of flavor or productivity, or simply too problem plagued? Any of the older varieties that one should know before attempting that WILL require considerable and constant care and special efforts? NOT in any way a shot at heirlooms; just curious.