Main crop ??

[sliphorn]

I use a 5 point scale: spitter, poor, good, very good, and excellent. For my taste I give Sioux a "very good" rating.

[Suze]

Akers West Virginia and Cherokee Green would be good main croppers for warmer climes.

[michael johnson]

Would you say on average- is "super Sioux" any better than the ordinary "Sioux" variety.

[sliphorn]

I don't know anything about Super Sioux, but I believe there was a discussion about it a while back in another thread. If I remember correctly, it was essentially the same but one grower preferred the taste of regular Sioux.

[daylilydude]

First let me say thank you all for your help 8) ! Suze you have cherokee green listed would that also include the chocolate and the purple ? I do have seeds for all 3 and the aker's west virginia how many would you plant of each for a family of 4? And i do have seeds for the super sioux could someone chime in on the difference between it and the regular sioux please?

[Earl]

What do you use your 'main crop' for? If you're talking about 'everything' including canning and such and fresh eating, then the handsdown winner is Picardy with Andes Horn close behind

[daylilydude]

Thanks Earl ! I guess i should point that out it is for canning and homemade salsa and fresh eating ! You say picardy and andes horn please give me some details? Do you think they would do alright in the south ? taste, production?

[Earl]

They should both do great in the south as you guys have a much longer season. Andes Horn, shaped like a large 4-6 inch pointed-pepper, seems to be just getting started up here in Ohio when frost takes it out. It's a very big plant. Picardy throws a bunch at one time then keeps on producing until frost. Most folks know I first and foremost grow for taste, even the canner types. Both are heavy fruit, sinking to the bottom of the pot when blanching. Not like some canner types that floats like balsa wood.

[Suze]

Richard, re the Cherokee Green, I based my comments on it as a main cropper because it was very productive in the hotter than normal temps and drought conditions I had this year. CG also did well for me last year as a fall crop. In addition, it is absolutely delicious.

CP and CC do just fine for me, but aren't quite the tomato machines that CG is (in my experience). Also, Rena (IMISSCOLO) has said it does very well for her in Georgia.

I grew two plants of each (CP, CC, CG) so I am not basing my comments on the performance of any one individual plant -- which can sometimes be misleading.

Agreed w/Earl, Picardy is another good one to consider if you like to can and such. I grew it this year and it did fairly well.

(click to enlarge)


Also, Ethel Watkins Best -- this variety was able to set well in the heat for me (planted late). Seems to be a semi-determinate like Picardy.