Successful Tomato Varieties for New Zealand

[Cole_Robbie]

Originally Posted by StephenCoote

To change the subject.... has anybody in your part of the world tried to trademark the word 'Heirloom' in relation to tomatoes? Seems like somebody down here has.... Jackie bought these at the supermarket a couple of days ago:

I took all the Intellectual Property classes at law school because they were taught by one of the few professors who would give me a good grade. I don't think US law would be that different from yours. The general rule is that generic terms may not be trademarked. Trying to claim ownership of the word 'heirloom' is ridiculous; it's like trying to trademark the word 'tomato.' They can claim the mark all they want, but enforcing it in court, which means getting a court order to stop anyone else from using the word heirloom to describe tomatoes, is not going to happen.

[StephenCoote]

I'm pleased you think it is ridiculous to register 'heirloom' as a trademark. That's how I felt when I saw it. Still, I guess the growers are just trying to market their produce.

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by StephenCoote

Thanks for your recommendations Schill93 !

The only one in your list that I have tried is Paul Robeson. My plants only produced a few fruit each, but the taste was promising. It deserves another trial, and I have plenty of seed. And this year I hope to grow Eva Purple Ball. I ordered the seed a few days ago after reading about this variety's fine qualities and disease resistance on this forum. I probably won't get the seed for a few days, but I'm determined to plant some of it even though it is about two months later than I like to get my earliest tomato seed started. Theoretically.... with the chance of quicker growing in the warmer temperatures... I should still get fruit.

For the last couple of seasons I've been germinating my tomato seeds in folded wet paper towels that I put in a ziplok bag. I have placed these on a heat mat at times, but the germination can still be surprisingly quick if I simply leave the bags indoors without any artificial heat. I like to plant the seeds in potting mix as soon as the tiny sprouts appear. If I leave them until the shoots are longer, the shoots can burrow through the paper towel and there is the chance of damage as I try to separate the seeds. Either way they still seem to grow happily.

So Schill93, out of all the interesting, tasty tomatoes on your list.... which one would you recommend as being the the most robust, reliable and productive variety?

Margaret Curtain, and Carbon are both really productive and delicious. Neither have let me down.

[Gerardo]

If the citrus trees do well, then the tomatoes will as well.

Pruden's Purple is a great one, Malachite Box too.

[schill93]

Originally Posted by StephenCoote

Thanks for that. I've just been Googling all the varieties in your list and I would like to try most of them as a result. In doing this I realised that the "#1" you wrote in front of Indian Stripe in your list was your recommendation for the best one as Google didn't include the #1 in the results ! So sorry for making you repeat yourself.

I'm tempted to buy some Indian Stripe seeds now, but I really don't have the room for any more tomato plants. Next season. It sounds wonderful.

I don't know why I get so excited about growing tomatoes.

It's an affliction. Don't fret. Many of us on here have it. Once you have tasted some REALLY good tomatoes, it then becomes an obsession.

You don't find to many cucumber forums.

[imp]

Now, schill, many of us grow cucumbers, they go so well with tomatoes! <grin>

Your climate sounds more humid and milder than mine is - be thankful - but you should get some great tomatoes there.

Earthquakes are scary and can do a lot of damages, grew up in a quake prone area, but the after shocks can be worse at times. Not much you can do but make sure all your cup boards have a "lip" on them.