Mrs. Benson

[camochef]

I know this is a thread on Mrs. Benson,which I sing many praises to, but due to my last posting above, listing past years favorites, I've gotten quite a few inquiries about KBX.
Allow me to state briefly, I've grown both Kelloggs Breakfast (for many yrs.), and KBX for a couple years, and although I usually favor potato leafed versions of a variety, this is not the case with Kellogg's Breakfast/KBX.
I found KBX to be more difficult to germinate (seed from 3 different sources), and more prone to crud and other diseases like septoria and early blight than Kelloggs Breakfast. I also get better production from Kelloggs Breakfast.
I know they are suppossed to be the same tomato with only a difference in leaf type, but given a choice I'll go with the original Kelloggs Breakfast.
Camo

[camochef]

Being pinned indoors by this weather, I've been going over my journals trying to decide the final planting list for the upcoming season. Although I'm reducing my tomato gardens to just 25-26 plants this year (instead of the hundreds I usually plant), I just wanted to add that Mrs. Benson would be in my top twelve varieties.
Those I couldn't do without:
Barlow Jap (pink)
Tarasenko6 (red)
Liz Birt (pink)
Mrs Benson (pink)
Dana's Dusky Rose (black)
Brandywine-Glick's (pink)
Sandul Moldovan (pink)
Brandywine-Cowlicks-P.L. (pink)
Bear Creek- (black)
Brandywinw-Sudduths (pink)
Amazon Chocolate (black)
Brandywine-Cowlick's-R.L. (pink)

I hope to add a few others like:
Earl's Faux (pink)
and some "new to me" ones like:
Terhune
Big Cheef
Purple Dog Creek
At this moment I could enjoy eating any one of those listed, but it looks like it's going to be a while yet till I can fulfill those dreams, Irregaurdless of what the groundhog says.
Camo

[frankkj]

Originally Posted by camochef

Being pinned indoors by this weather, I've been going over my journals trying to decide the final planting list for the upcoming season. Although I'm reducing my tomato gardens to just 25-26 plants this year (instead of the hundreds I usually plant), I just wanted to add that Mrs. Benson would be in my top twelve varieties.
Those I couldn't do without:

At this moment I could enjoy eating any one of those listed, but it looks like it's going to be a while yet till I can fulfill those dreams, Irregaurdless of what the groundhog says.
Camo

I know what you mean. Right now in hot, sunny Louisiana it is sleeting and 28 degrees. UGH!

Frank

[beefyboy]

Sorry bout the cold and need for some good tomatoes. Here in Florida I am picking now some fabulous Earl's Faux, Goose Creek and many others. Just am responding to Camo's post on KBX versus original KB and find KB to be outperforming KBX but not in the taste category. It is far too creamy for me and not very flavorful here in Fl. KBX was really good with a nice complex sweetness. I am hoping my KB's flavor will improve!

[camochef]

beefyboy,
I noticed about 4-5 years ago that Kellogg's Breakfast, KBX, and some of the bi-colors like Mr. Stripey (the large beefsteak one not the small English variety), are quite effected by the amount of water they get. I usually hold back on watering these to about half of my other tomatoes.
Too much water not only turns them mushy but changes their taste significantly. Try cutting back some on your Kellogg's Breakfast.
Camo

[b54red]

beefyboy, I'm hoping you can give me an update on the Bill's Berkely Pink. I'll be starting the seed this weekend and would like to know if it is running true.

[Timbotide]

Sounds like I need to start some of my Mrs. Benson seed
to see how they do for me.

[camochef]

Timbotide,
I haven't heard much from southern growers on Mrs Benson. Therefore I'd like to know how they do down there, so keep us posted.
I know the seeds I've sent out haven't been as well accepted as my Cowlick's have become over the years. Cowlick Brandywine's seem to have done fairly well worldwide, especially so for those that always had trouble growing other Brandywines in the past.
Good Luck with them and all others your growing.
Camo

[beefyboy]

Running in earthboxes Camo! in Florida it is different than your area completely! you have to change your methods or end up in trouble quickly due to many variables. Most people quit gardening when they try gardening styles similar to yours by cutting back on water!! soil types hold water differently and when in Sandy soil the drainage is fast even with amenities. Your cutting back on water is not advisable for the most part! watering in smaller doses and even twice a day at certain times of the day is much better. Earthboxes work very well . I picked a KB last night that was very tasty but in general, the smaller tomatoes do better and have the flavors that appeal to my liking. I have grown over 200 varieties here and after 20 yrs. at this location, and having my butt kicked so many times the first few years, I have it down pretty good now.

[beefyboy]

Hi Bill! how are ya? I sent you a quick note for your address to get Dana out to ya but had not heard back but glad you wrote me. Your Berkeley is simply awesome. I think you have one of the best workhorses and most beautiful of tomatoes there is. And for flavor I sampled it out to 4 people and it held its own against Earls Faux and 6 others. I like sampling out tomatoes to 3 or more people at one time so my opinion is only a small part of it. And thanks for all your info on here, I have learned some good things with the bleach technique. Before I forget, my Berkeley as I mentioned before has 2 different fruits and will show you picks. One is like yours and the other like the tie dye! the one that is like yours is deep purple however with green shoulders and yours seems more red by the pics I saw, let me know what you think? I will send you seed of mine if you like since you are the real father! lol

[camochef]

Originally Posted by beefyboy

Running in earthboxes Camo! in Florida it is different than your area completely! you have to change your methods or end up in trouble quickly due to many variables. Most people quit gardening when they try gardening styles similar to yours by cutting back on water!! soil types hold water differently and when in Sandy soil the drainage is fast even with amenities. Your cutting back on water is not advisable for the most part! watering in smaller doses and even twice a day at certain times of the day is much better. Earthboxes work very well . I picked a KB last night that was very tasty but in general, the smaller tomatoes do better and have the flavors that appeal to my liking. I have grown over 200 varieties here and after 20 yrs. at this location, and having my butt kicked so many times the first few years, I have it down pretty good now.

Whatever works for you. I was only trying to offer suggestions. I've been known to grow over 200 varietiess in a single year and have been growing tomatoes for over 50 years, so I do have a little experience. I'll try to keep it to myself in the future.

[beefyboy]

I am speaking of my area in Florida only Camo. I know you have good knowledge and enjoy reading your stuff if I come across them!
Happy gardening to all!

[beefyboy]

you beat me to this since I am fighting to keep up with streams of people in my restaurant and new workers. I meant nothing by your response and always keep an open mind! Just that out here it is a different animal entirely and we really have some serious diseases beyond anyones imagination. B54 has a similar situation I believe except not as humid for as long. As I mentioned many times in the past! your articles are interesting Camo and you seem to be a helpful guy! Hope your garden is a knockout for ya this year!

[b54red]

Originally Posted by beefyboy

Hi Bill! how are ya?............ Before I forget, my Berkeley as I mentioned before has 2 different fruits and will show you picks. One is like yours and the other like the tie dye! the one that is like yours is deep purple however with green shoulders and yours seems more red by the pics I saw, let me know what you think? I will send you seed of mine if you like since you are the real father! lol

Chuck, all of my fruit were the same off of the one I call Bill's Berkley Pink and after sitting on the counter for a couple of days the green shoulders completely disappeared. I had no fruit that were like BTD Pink. All of mine were pink and I had exceptional production during the hottest part of the summer. I will be planting my seed today so they will be in my third seed planting and will plant them again in March so they will have to contend with the extreme heat here and I am hoping they will do as well as last year and be the same. You might want to start a few more seed now so you can try it as a mid summer tomato and see if it will handle your high heat and temps which are very similar. Post a pic as soon as you can.
Bill

[b54red]

I guess that now I have gotten completely off my original topic; but that seems to happen a lot when discussing tomatoes.