Thoughts about Jet Star Tomato

[Greatgardens]

Since this is an older release, there should be a fair amount of experience with it. I've certainly grown it, but not for years and years, and have never grown it in a container.

So... how does it do in a container? (And especially in an Earthbox/earthtainer?)

How big does the plant get? (I usually see it listed as indeterminate, but sometimes semi-indeterminate.)

How crack resistant is it?

How is its general hardiness with foliage diseases? (We have Septoria here.)

Has anyone grown F2 (etc.) versions and found a PL plant?

-GG

[greenthumbomaha]

There is another thread on Jet Star with several meh opinions. A small local seller grew this as his only variety, I am guessing about 50 of them, perhaps double. One year the weather conditions were cooler and wet early on so not perfect, the plants looked sparse and sick all season and never caught up, and he didn't have any tomatoes to sell that year.
It is a variety recommended by the experts at my local extension. I have grown it, but I am spoiled by the more flavorful varieties shared here. If you decide to try it, the height would be about 4 feet, so a good earth box size. Not super disease resistant as I recall. Again like yourself, not grown for several years.


- Lisa

[GoDawgs]

Just two days ago on some foodie tv show they were highlighting restaurants in Maine. One foo foo place was famous for their tomato tart (using whole small tomatoes) and the chef says he only uses Jet Star for various taste and consistency reasons. But since taste varies so much among tasters.... meh!

[Cole_Robbie]

I grew up with Jet Star. I think it was the best garden hybrid before Big Beef came along. I have grown it beside Big Beef. The fruit and taste were identical for me. The only difference was that the Jet Star plants were shorter and bushier. I have not grown it in a container, but in good soil, I think it tastes very good.

[SQWIBB]

@Cole Robbie, interesting what you say about the Big Beef and Jet Star.
I planned on planting Big Beef and Jet Star as my only 2 this year. Now I'm wondering if I should just stick to Big Beef?


@Greatgardens.
My Jet Stars produced decently but succumbed to some disease the same time as all my hybrid tomato plants, Big Beef and Beefmaster. My Kosova was the first to go then my Abe Lincoln IIRC, due to disease.


I'm in Zone 7A and an extremely humid area, My plants were also crowded and not trimmed well, which I am sure contributed to their early demise.









I'm not a tomato snob, but everyone I gave Big Beef, Beefmaster and Jetstar to, commented on how it was the best tomato they have eaten (maybe they only have eaten store bought maters?)

The only negative I have seen in taste is after a Rainy month and later in the season, "ALL" the tomatoes were getting a bit bland and started splitting.


The Big Beef and Jet Star did well not cracking till August.


As far as container growing they grew nicely indoors for me this year.





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[Barb_FL]

I know nothing about JetStar and googled it and there is an improved JetStar called JetSetter. Widely available.

[SQWIBB]

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

I know nothing about JetStar and googled it and there is an improved JetStar called JetSetter. Widely available.

http://www.tomatoville.com/showpost....39&postcount=3

[Barb_FL]

Originally Posted by SQWIBB

http://www.tomatoville.com/showpost....39&postcount=3

Wow - that's interesting and back in 2011 too.

Here's what I read in one of the sites:

https://www.seedsnsuch.com/product/j...omato-vffnast/

"64 days. A much improved ‘Jet Star’ that’s earlier, more disease resistant and at least as big! Originally introduced in my Totally Tomatoes catalog as both a fresh market alternative to ‘Jet Star’ and as an extremely early home-garden variety that delivers big, juicy, smooth, uniform, flattened globes weighing 8-oz. or more. Nicely balanced, sweet, rich taste that mimics that old-fashioned real-tomato flavor. Strong disease package makes it ideal for home gardeners and market growers. Indeterminate."

------
BTW - On Tomatogrowers.com they do not mention JetStar in their description at all.

[Cole_Robbie]

Wow that is a big grow tent! Very nice setup! What lights do you use?

[SQWIBB]

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

Wow that is a big grow tent! Very nice setup! What lights do you use?

3 Viparspectra 700's in the grow tent and 2 Viparspectra 450's on the grow table

[RJGlew]

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

... I have grown it beside Big Beef. The fruit and taste were identical for me. The only difference was that the Jet Star plants were shorter and bushier...

I had the same experience with JS & BB. I grew it for 2 years and although it is good, for me BB is better.

[Tormato]

In my garden...


Supersonic > Jet Star
Supersonic + Jet Star < heirlooms