Brandywine

b54red · May 7, 2015

Carolyn is right about Brandywine doing more poorly here in the south. I think the reason is that they produce less viable pollen in our heat and are thus more difficult to get fruit set with. I was using the electric toothbrush on my blossoms this morning and the amount of pollen that was released by the two Brandywine types I have set out in my garden was pitiful whereas plants like IS, Prudens, and many others let out a huge amount of pollen when contacted by the vibrating toothbrush.

Besides Pruden's Purple another good substitute for Brandywine is Limbaugh's Legacy. A very large pink beefsteak with similar taste and much better production in the southern heat and humidity. I was so late getting my tomatoes out this year that I fear my Brandywines will not set the amount of fruit I usually get when I set them out early.

Bill

May 7, 2015	#10
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	Carolyn is right about Brandywine doing more poorly here in the south. I think the reason is that they produce less viable pollen in our heat and are thus more difficult to get fruit set with. I was using the electric toothbrush on my blossoms this morning and the amount of pollen that was released by the two Brandywine types I have set out in my garden was pitiful whereas plants like IS, Prudens, and many others let out a huge amount of pollen when contacted by the vibrating toothbrush. Besides Pruden's Purple another good substitute for Brandywine is Limbaugh's Legacy. A very large pink beefsteak with similar taste and much better production in the southern heat and humidity. I was so late getting my tomatoes out this year that I fear my Brandywines will not set the amount of fruit I usually get when I set them out early. Bill