Main Crop Reds

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by b54red

Linda none of the tomatoes I mentioned are what I would call sweet. I like full flavored tomatoes and don't care for mild tomatoes or tomatoes that aren't fairly juicy. Franks' is a good juicy well balanced tomato. Lumpy and Zogola are probably a little firmer than Franks.

Bill, if you like full flavored non sweet tomatoes with that old timey tomatoey taste then grow Jean's Prize that Doug mentioned above as well as one called Herman's Special.

I didn't check but I think I've been offering both in my seed offer here at Tville.

[SEAMSFASTER]

I submit a vote for Rose. This is my first year growing it and I have only one plant, which is producing an abundance of beautiful, mostly blemish-free, red beefsteak tomatoes generally in the 12 oz. range. It's hard to beat for flavor and scored very near the top of a tomato tasting contest I recently hosted.

Another variety that's producing very attractive, evenly shaped, large (16-20 oz.) red beefsteaks is Magnum. The flavor is very good, but not quite the luscious flavor as Rose.

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by SEAMSFASTER

I submit a vote for Rose. This is my first year growing it and I have only one plant, which is producing an abundance of beautiful, mostly blemish-free, red beefsteak tomatoes generally in the 12 oz. range. It's hard to beat for flavor and scored very near the top of a tomato tasting contest I recently hosted.

Another variety that's producing very attractive, evenly shaped, large (16-20 oz.) red beefsteaks is Magnum. The flavor is very good, but not quite the luscious flavor as Rose.

I think most folks consider Rose to be a very dark pink and it's listed in the SSE Yearbook in the pink/purple section by many folks and not in the red section


http://t.tatianastomatobase.com:88/wiki/Rose

Rose was first introduced by Johnny's Selected Seeds:

http://www.johnnyseeds.com/p-7942-rose-og.aspx


If you were to check the epidermis I think you'd find it was clear ( pink fruit) rather than being yellow ( red fruit).

No doubt it's a great tasting variety and maybe Robbins would be interested but it isn't red based on the links I gave above.

The first year I listed Anna Russian I listed it in the red section of the SSE Yearbook b/c it looked red to me but way back then I didn't know about checking the epidermis on fruits to confirm they were red or pink. Anna Russian is pink, and I got it right eventually.

Often it's very very hard to tell the difference between a true red and a very dark pink; been there, done that.

[travis]

I keep going back to Robbins original post where she says she'll be growing 1000 plants, and wants a tasty, crack free, large red tomato. I don't know how she supports her plants, but if she's growing 1000 plants of reds alone, does she really want a long vined indeterminate or a shorter vined semi-indeterminate or determinate variety? And is this for fresh market? Many of the suggestions not only are rangy sprawlers, but are subject to sun scald, heavy cracking and splitting in the hot, humid, thunderstorm prone Ozark summer weather.

[barkeater]

How about Red brandywine? It isn't real big but probably averages 8-10 ounces. It's not early but gives very good yields of nice round blemish-free red tomatoes.

[swamper]

I'd suggest ramapo for a large red slicer.

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by swamper

I'd suggest ramapo for a large red slicer.

I like Ramapo a lot but Robbins asked for heirloom varieties ( open pollinated ones) and Ramapo is a hybrid. An OP version exists, I dehybridized the F1, and it's pretty darn close to the F1 and I know a lot of folks have grown it but I can't think of anyone who would have the number of seeds that Robbins needs if there are just four varieties she selects b'c that would mean about 250-300 seeds each, depending on seed age, etc.

[oc tony]

Druzba, Nepal, and Milka's Red Bulgarian

[nctomatoman]

Red Brandywine, Nepal, Druzba, Livingston's Favorite (Victory has it - great, underrated variety), Rasp Red - those would be the ones I would choose from - medium sized, red (scarlet - yellow skin over red flesh), tend to not crack, good disease tolerance, and for the most part, excellent flavor and productivity.

If you wanted to upsize a bit, I would add Andrew Rahart's Jumbo Red and Aker's WV into the mix.

[Suze]

Originally Posted by carolyn137

I like Ramapo a lot but Robbins asked for heirloom varieties ( open pollinated ones) and Ramapo is a hybrid. An OP version exists, I dehybridized the F1, and it's pretty darn close to the F1 and I know a lot of folks have grown it but I can't think of anyone who would have the number of seeds that Robbins needs if there are just four varieties she selects b'c that would mean about 250-300 seeds each, depending on seed age, etc.

I do (F6), but Ramapo is probably too small to meet Robbins' criteria in any case.

Also, while I think it is a very good red (and yes, I am picky, esp when it comes to reds), I would not rate it as wonderful tasting.

Originally Posted by robbins

They need to be large but not humongous, prolific, no cracking, and wonderful tasting

[Suze]

Akers WV (and/or Linda's Faux), Top Sirloin, and Tarasenko 6 are med-lg, have great flavor and are usually productive for me in Texas.

[robbins]

Thanks to all for the great suggestions and thoughtful replies. Now, some tough decisions.
Travis - all tomatoes are florida weave - nasty job - and sold fresh market. Missouri can have some awful tomato weather, but where doesn't. On the upside - it has long summers, lots of sun, plenty of water and people who like heirlooms!
Carolyn - sorry about the head thing!
Thanks everyone!
Robbins

[Sun City Linda]

Thanks b54 and Robbins, this is my first year growing it but I love Druzba and see others have suggested it. Fairly compact growth and tastes great! Linda

[materlvr]

Linda, sooo happy you like Druzba! It's on my "always grow" list.

[Sun City Linda]

Hi Janie, Could not remember if it was you or Corona Barb that told me I would love Druzba but I sure do. It will be on my "always grow" list too.