Bush Varieties

[TomatoDon]

I'm seeing the usual Bush and determinate varieties in nurseries and discount centers, plus some new ones. I don't have much experience with any of the Bush varieties, believing that the fruit produced was small to medium size. I'm hearing that this is not always true.

What are some of the best bush varieties out there with medium and larger fruit? I was curious if the bush varieties reach a growth/foliage maturity and then put most of their energy into fruit production. I'm hearing they produce buckets of tomatoes, but on the medium and smaller side.

Just curious because I really don't know much about them at all. Maybe some of you can offer info.

Thanks!

Don

[Tania]

Don,

One variety that comes to my mind that is det. and large-fruited is Krasnodor Titans (http://t-garden.homeip.net/mwiki/ind...asnodor_Titans)

... and a couple of heart-shaped Russian tomatoes -

Tyazheloves Sibiri - http://t-garden.homeip.net/mwiki/ind...heloves_Sibiri

Fidelio - http://t-garden.homeip.net/mwiki/index.php/Fidelio

It is likely that you'll find this type of tomatoes among modern Russian varieties, as many Russian breeders bred determinates to grow under cover and/or for concentrated harvest.

[Tania]

A list of some det. varieties (not necessary large-fruited!) can be viewed here:http://t-garden.homeip.net/mwiki/ind...inate_Tomatoes

[gssgarden]

Always grew Bush Champion and was never unhappy. Can't believe what this little plant puts out. This year I'm running it side by side with New Big Dwarf and see what's my best container plant. NBD has it's work cut out for it.

Greg

[Andrey_BY]

Tyazheloves Sibiri has been bred specially by Siberian breeders for Siberian growing conditions among many new Siberian varieties. There is a trend and State order for breeding institutes for determinates for growing outdoor and indoor in former Soviet Union countries. Also there are some private breeders who prefer to bred for such flexible vareities with rather compact plant height and fruits of different sizes here...

[carolyn137]

Tania, I know you had Sophie's Choice on your list of large fruited det varieties, but I feel so positive about it that I wanted to mention it separately.

Also, what do you really think of Krasnodor Titans that you mentioned above?

I know that I was the first to list that in the SSE Yearbook but I had really mixed feelings about it on two counts: not for fresh eating IMO, and it has the thickest walls I've ever seen on a variety except for Santa Clara Canner and Diener, a derivative of SCC.

[Tania]

Carolyn,

I agree with your assessment - Krasnodor Titans is definitely not for fresh eating (too firm and tough in my opinion). This is what I had posted at TOMATObase, if you did not followed the link:

98 days, det., dense regular dark green foliage, large round red tomatoes, 8-17 oz, blemish-free firm round fruit that keeps very well after picking, very high yields. I would not grow it for taste, but it is very good for canning.

Btw, I do not consider Sophie's Choice to be a 'large' tomato - I think it fits 'medium' category.

[TomatoDon]

What's the practical difference in a bush and a dwarf?

Don

[dice]

What's the practical difference in a bush and a dwarf?

Dwarf's are not originally determinate, just a very compact
type of plant that may fruit all season like an indeterminate. Bush types are almost always determinate.

A thorough discussion of the dwarf type on DG:

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/778581/

[feldon30]

Dwarves are known for rugose foliage and a very upright plant habit. They rarely need support until heavy fruitset (and then those conical cages at Wal-Mart can be used).

[carolyn137]

Btw, I do not consider Sophie's Choice to be a 'large' tomato - I think it fits 'medium' category.

*****

When speaking of early determinates I guess I consider the fruits of Sophie's Choice, usually in the 6-8 oz range, to be large. For non-dets I'd call it medium. Just my opinion.

And no, said Carolyn hanging her head in shame, I didn't follow the link for KT.

I'm glad we agree on Krasnodor Titans. I'd almost call the fruits forever fruits b'c they stayed fine on the vine for so long and even after picking them they sat there for a very long time before they started to shrivel.

[mdvpc]

All dwarves are not rugose. My definition of a dwarf tomato plant is any plant, when mature, that is 3.4 feet and no taller.

[cottonpicker]

mdvpc..... WHY Can't a mature 3.5 ft. plant be a dwarf??.... lol......

[feldon30]

Originally Posted by mdvpc

All dwarves are not rugose. My definition of a dwarf tomato plant is any plant, when mature, that is 3.4 feet and no taller.

Then Bush Celebrity, Bush Goliath, etc. would fit that definition. Very confusing IMO.

[Deer Park]

EM Champion, Volgradskiye 323, Naliv