seeds for 2013

[epsilon]

Hi all T'villers.

I'm asking for help to pick out a selection of varieties that would do well for my arid, hot conditions.(more than likely I'll probably be looking at splitting the season)

I'm specifically looking for toms that will do well in 90+ weather, I know full well that I shouldn't expect much fruit set between August and September, but I would like for some development before and after,

So far I have a small list of these but, I would like to get some input from people who have been growing for years under similar conditions.

Some quick info
I live in Z9

Starting late July into late August we tend to average about 95, then we drop back into eighties until early November with a few sub fifty nights scattered.

Rain is minimal during the entire summer season usually with the majority coming either early spring or late fall.

Any ways, I would love to grow some large beefsteaks, pastes and a few varieties of cherries.

so far this is what I've come up with

Haley's Purple Comet
Black Cherry
Striped Roman
Carbon
Zapotec
Sungold
Homestead 24
Phoenix
spitfire

Also I'd be delighted to hear that I could very possibly grow piriform toms, as i like their general shape. any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Gaston

[pugfrog]

I grew Haley's Purp Comet and Black Cherry here under heat wave conditions and got good yields.

[Solanum315]

Ildi didn't seem too bothered by the heat this year but then again most cherries do pretty well in the heat.

[epsilon]

So I think from this current consensus I might focus on cherries this next coming year and then try to grow a few heirloom varietals. One question though, If you manage to grow seed from a plant that previously had survived drought conditions the previous year, do the progeny show any improved form of heat tolerance by method of environmental adaptation? Or is it all just the same thing, being that toms are op and have generally the same genetics in each successive generation?

[amideutch]

epsilon, here is a link to a thread at SSE concerning a member growing a heirloom variety in Fairbanks Alaska for 25 years. The post by Tom Wagner should be of particular interest to you.

http://forums.seedsavers.org/showthr...triple+climber

I am growing a new variety this year that is a cross between Mariana's Peace and Stupice done by Reinhard Kraft. We had temperatures in the mid to high 90's for 2 weeks and this is one plant that didn't seem to be affected. I will post about it later in the week. It's called Maristu and maybe I will send you a few seeds to see how it does in the "High Desert". Ami

[Sun City Linda]

I am in a fairly similiar but marginally less brutal SoCal climate. I am really impressed with Fourth of July Hybrid. August has been especially bad, with triple digits for weeks on end and it really never slowed down. Big beef hybid also set fruit during this time. Previously, I have had good success with Arkansas Traveler and both Porter and Pearson (Improved) are bred for hot arid climates.

[Wi-sunflower]

I have been growing out the variety Heatwave for quite a few years (since Burpee no longer sells in bulk). I have a customer in Utah (a nursery) that buys almost as much seed as I can produce every year. Like 2 oz or more each year.

I would imagine their climate is rather similar to yours.

It's a nice medium red variety.

Carol

[epsilon]

Ami, Thanks for that link, I actually found it very enlightening. although now I wonder how many generations down the line it will be until I notice a change in the traits to anything that I'll have been saving.

Also I would love to test Maristu in an arid region.

Sun City Linda,

I think I might take your lead in planting certain varieties, as I believe the only differing factor is the degree of humidity we both experience.

Carol,

Thanks for that suggestion I do think the high desert in general might have the same conditions as Utah, so I will definitely look into heat wave this upcoming year.

I think I have enough varieties at this point, that I should be very much more successful than this year.

[riceke]

from quote:

"I'm asking for help to pick out a selection of varieties that would do well for my arid, hot conditions.(more than likely I'll probably be looking at splitting the season)

I'm specifically looking for toms that will do well in 90+ weather, I know full well that I shouldn't expect much fruit set between August and September, ..........."

Now in my garden when all tomato varieties have shriveled and died ARKANSAS TRAVELER is still producing and as fresh as ever. Now Georgia is hot as well, but unlike Cal. it's humid which contributes to every know fungus and bacteria known to man. For 2 years it has done extremely well here and is my mainstay.