Dwarf Tomato Project

[Riceloft]

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

I'm hoping I can fit three dwarfs in the space that one indeterminate would occupy, thereby offsetting the lower yield per plant. Plus, three stakes are cheaper than one large cage to support an indeterminate. Time spent pruning and tying back vines should be less, too.

These are my thoughts in trying to grow Dwarf Tasmanian Chocolate as a market tomato for next summer. We shall see if it works out.

Tasmanian Chocolate has been the best producer of all the dwarf's I've grown. In my experience I can get as much from 2 Tas Chocolates as I can from any single indeterminate, or darn close. This is up against varieties like Costoluto Genovese, Big Beef and Cherokee Purple.

As far as making it a market tomato, I've found that they don't keep on the counter as long as some other varieties (but longer than say, Cherokee Purple) so keep that in mind if you haven't had experience with it before.

Originally Posted by MrBig46

I will grow eight varieties of dwarfs this year. I pruned all indeterminantes varieties. Do I prune dwarves, too? Must I grow dwarfs in a cage or can be tied to the spiral ?
Vladimír

I would advise against pruning most of the dwarf varieties. I think Dwarf Golden Heart sprawls more than most others and would assume others in the same line (Nosey) do as well. I did some light pruning to keep it in check when I grew it out.

I use a 5ft wooden stake and one of the small laughable tomato cages for my dwarfs. The only issue I have with this setup is actually Tasmanian Chocolate. It puts out so many strong branches that load up with fruit, and gets up near 4-5ft tall that it threatens to topple over with this setup (and actually did on one plant last season).