Hurricane Tomatoes

[Pants]

I'm just sitting down to a late lunch enjoying a tomato sandwich from tomatoes I just picked off my (slightly battered) Al Kuffa Tomato plant. I was surprised the flavor is still good despite the low temps we've had lately, but it really is still flavorful. We may of lost a bunch of shingles off the house, a shared fence, and some siding on the house but my tomatoes weather the hurricane fine and it feels great to have electricity and a fresh tomato sandwich. All the Earthtainers are even still upright. I just had to share.

[rockhound]

Good for you! I don't think I've got a tomato left that could make a good sandwich, I like them hanging off the bread all the way around.

[bower]

I'm glad to hear that, Pants!
I had the same experience with Hurricane Leslie back in September. Trees snapped and were blown out of the ground, while the outdoor tomatoes (which I figured written off) stayed firmly on the vine and continued to ripen. Those are tough plants!

[Pants]

Well The Al Kuffa Tomatoes aren't big slicers. So it takes a few slices to make a sandwich which can be messy. For me it was just a surprise all around: 1. that they taste good despite the low temps, and 2. that the hurricane didn't destroy the tomatoes. A month ago I really didn't think I'd still be picking tomatoes the day before halloween. I got a late start this year so its nice that its lasted longer than usual.

Pants,

I tried to grow Al Kuffa last year, but couldn't get any germination on the seed. I think I planted six seed of each of forty varieties and it was the only variety that had germination problems. Did you like them well enough to recommend I try them again?

Ted

[Pants]

I haven't grown many varieties, but it is definitely the best early variety I have tried (much better than stupice to my taste buds). I put it out in August during a heat wave and it didn't mind that and has continued producing good tasting tomatoes even as the weather has dropped into the 30s some nights. It is a very small plant (some call it a dwarf but I'll leave that estimation up to the experts).

My sister-in-law has also grown it (she gave me the seeds) and it is one of her regulars. She is in Pasadena CA so she has to contend with very hot weather (probably more similar to your climate than mine).

If you are taking part in Heather's seed exchange you could add it to your wishlist and might get some of my seeds. If not then I can send you some (I don't have a lot though). I only grew one seed, so I can't speak to germination rates of my 2011 seeds, but it did grow just fine. I guess I should save some seeds from the kuffas I have on my counter.

[dice]

Al Kuffa seeds can be ordered from Baker Creek, too:
http://rareseeds.com/al-kuffa-tomato.html