tom varieties and I

[mikej]

Hello, This is only my second thread, but wanted to hear it from you guys. I have been reading in many forums for the last 6 months.

Last spring I wanted to grow some tomatoes again after a lay off of a few years. I bought some seed from Walmart called Super beefsteak. They were big, but the flavor was just not there. I had grown some tomatoes in the past that I had received the seedlings from a commercial grower and like I mentioned in my other thread. I have know idea what variety they were. Some one had given me a bag that had all kinds of seed packets in it and one those was Ferry Morse Brandywine. After all that I had read about the BWs I had to try it this fall.

Here is how I do it and has been successful for me.

Started seed Aug 13 in a tray in cheap potting mix bought from Walmart. The seed tray has a clear cover on it and I keep it covered until germination. I have a 4' flourescent shop light on a chain that I can raise as the plants grow. I keep the light about an inch from the top of the plants. After 3 weeks, I move them into some red solo cups with wholes drilled into the bottom.


I let them grow in the cups letting them harden by moving them in to the sun a little more each day for another 3 weeks. Here they are just before transplanting into the ground. I have 16 of these.


Here is one last week.


For staking I use some 8' tposts driven into the 2' and twine with my version of the Florida Weave. I have a bed about 6" high and 3 ft wide covered with a piece of 4' wide plastic. I use grass clippings in the rows between the beds and around the plants. I Just got large roll of hay that I will be using all around my garden for weed and moisture control. I hope the hay works out. My concern is introducing seeds into the garden. But I thought what the heck, this is south Florida, I am going to have new weeds all the time anyway, so maybe this will slow it down enough while the crops are there.


Now for the questions. Does anyone know about this Ferry Morse Brandywine? That is all it says on the package. I also ordered me some seed from Tomato Growers Supply. (I went to their store a couple of saturdays ago, but they were closed.) My seeds have come in. I have.

grape tomato
Tasti-Lee Hybrid
Better Boy hybrid
and the free ones others have been receiving German Giant.

I am going to start some new seed tomorrow and am debating on pulling a few of my Brandywines to put 2 plants each of the hybrids and German Giant.

I grow my grape tomatoes in a different place up against a chain link fence. It worked great last spring.

I have read all over forums about the differing opinions about varieties, but I want to hear it first hand from you guys. I wanted tomatoes that are fairly easy to grow in my environment, but still satisfy my tomato hunger with taste.
Did I make good choices in my varieties?

[mikej]

Can someone help me make the decision. Are the Ferry Morse brand Brandywines worth keeping in the ground or should I pull some of them up and start my seed of Tastil Lee, Better Boy, and German Giant?

Thanks guys!

[OddBall]

HI mikej,

Those Tomatoes look awesome.

About your Brandywines, did they arrived in a package like this one ?

If they did, I think they are normal Brandywines, just your seed source is Ferry Morse.

The new varities you have picked look great, but I haven't tried any of them so i'm not in a position to recommend them.

If you want to try them and have no space, So I guess you can either remove/move some of your brandywines and plant the hybrids plus the German Giant, or you can keep the new varieties for next year.

[mikej]

Thanks OddBall,

No not in a package like that.

They were in a package like this.
http://www.amazon.com/Ferry-Morse-To.../dp/B0013KGHMQ

I don't have any experience with my new varieties either. I have read about them and look like they would be a good choice here in the northern Everglades because of their resistance to disease. I just went out and seeded my flat with a few of each to try them out. I made the decision to go ahead and pull up half of my 16 Brandywines to put in some of my new varieties.

Mike

[troad]

Mike,
I have been growing Brandywine tomatoes for the past few years. The initial seed packet like yours did not provide any description other than "Brandywine". They have been a favorite despite the usual low production.
I cannot comment on your other choices but would suggest you do not pull up any Brandywines until you get the replacements ready to go. Never know how productive or healthy a plant may get until it has some time to develop. Would be a shame to toss the wrong plants after the time and effort you put in.
Len

[mikej]

I agree troad; I had thought about it and decided today not to pull any now. All of them look so healthy, that I could not do it. I did get my new seeds started yesterday though.




Looks droopy because it is wet from rain today.



Mike

[Deborah]

Mike, that row is beautiful. Looks like a magazine !

[mikej]

Saw my first Brandywine blooms today. As well as Conk pea blooms. The excitement is building.

[gixxerific]

Dang Floridians I am down to my last few tomato plants and you just getting blooms on yours. I'm getting blooms too but they have no chance to make it.

Your plants look very healthy, when they are ready can I come over for a BLT I'll bring some fresh midwest thick cut bacon.

[mikej]

Does gixxer ride a GSXR? If so ride on down when they ripen. And please bring some of the good bacon with ya. We will also go for a ride if you don't mind riding with and HD. My son rides an R6.

[gixxerific]

Originally Posted by mikej

Does gixxer ride a GSXR? If so ride on down when they ripen. And please bring some of the good bacon with ya. We will also go for a ride if you don't mind riding with and HD. My son rides an R6.

I did till someone stole it.