Help me pick a black... please.

pacmanJohn · February 4, 2010

I have the seeds of four blacks and want to grow to sell to a local chef. I want a good taster (obviously) which I assume all fit the bill, but I'm looking for production specifically in pounds per plant. The only one I've grown is JD's which is a great tomato and moderately productive but I wasnt' fond of the 'grazing' around the shoulders but not sure I can get away from that. I know that Cherokee Purple looks different while the other three kind of look the same to me (in pictures at least).

Black Krim
Paul Robeson
JD's C-Tex
Cherokee Purple

I'm not at all opposed to growing more than one of these but wanted to make sure I'm maximizing my space. I've showed the chef pictures of each and he is fine with any. Thanks for your time.

Wi-sunflower · February 4, 2010

Personally I would say Paul Robeson. It's done pretty well for us in 2 less than good summers.

My experiences with Black Krim have been less than spectactular. BK seems more prone than many to "good" years and "off" years. And the off years seem more common than the good years. At least for me.

Carol

brokenbar · February 4, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacmanJohn

I have the seeds of four blacks and want to grow to sell to a local chef. I want a good taster (obviously) which I assume all fit the bill, but I'm looking for production specifically in pounds per plant. The only one I've grown is JD's which is a great tomato and moderately productive but I wasnt' fond of the 'grazing' around the shoulders but not sure I can get away from that. I know that Cherokee Purple looks different while the other three kind of look the same to me (in pictures at least).

Black Krim
Paul Robeson
JD's C-Tex
Cherokee Purple

I'm not at all opposed to growing more than one of these but wanted to make sure I'm maximizing my space. I've showed the chef pictures of each and he is fine with any. Thanks for your time.

The Chef's have been "reading again"! They are just crazy for the Blacks...dried as well. I personally don't "get it". Make sure you charge them extra for those "special" black tomatoes...You know...the ones with the "Smokey-Salty-Earthy-" yadee, yadee, yadee taste...

mtbigfish · February 4, 2010

Pacman
again it is where you live and weather - Black Krim always has been good producer here in Calif have not grown JD's C-Tex will this year the others are about the same but CP is larger toms for me - alway done excellent with carbon all around
Dennis

pacmanJohn · February 4, 2010

Thanks for the input. Very much appreciated.

icelord · February 4, 2010

If you can find them, Spudatula and Flathead monster would be the ones, if not Black from Tula is a superb choice I have grown lots of blacks and this is one of the best.

Icelord

mtbigfish · February 4, 2010

yeah to icelord but finding is the problem except Black from Tula - is nice big moderate producer - seem to always forget that one
Dennis

icelord · February 4, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtbigfish

yeah to icelord but finding is the problem except Black from Tula - is nice big moderate producer - seem to always forget that one
Dennis

Hey Dennis! Thanks, you know what I mean as for the problem of finding these beauties, There is hope!! There is a very talented guy that sells plants and posts here, Hope I am not out of bounds, But Fusion Power may be able to hook you and all up with the ultimate Black Plants!!

Icelord

dustdevil · February 4, 2010

You need to grow a pretty tomato, since presentation is important to a chef. If you really want to do well, grow KY heirlooms and the local clientel will be smiling. Maria at Blue Ribbon would be a good one to talk to about KY varieties.

johno · February 4, 2010

Out of those four, Black Krim is my personal favorite for taste. But they all taste good. For production and appearance, I'd go with Paul Robeson.

pete · February 4, 2010

I'm just an hour or so north of you here in Cincinnati. I grew paul robeson and it was very productive but not as flavorful as cherokee purple.
I am growing JD's this year along with cherokee purple. Paul Robeson seems to be a favorite for a lot of growers but the flavor in my garden was not great. I have also grown carbon, black pear, and black prince and they are not on the list this year. Black Krim does well in hot dry years for me, after last year I am trying amazon chocolate, black brandywine (2 sources), liz birt, Indian stripe, spudakee, and vorlon.
It would be a good idea to grow a few varieties in case your main pick don't pick good (english teach rolls in grave).

Pete

DeanRIowa · February 4, 2010

I personally like the flavor, size, and production of Paul Robeson.

Dean

habitat_gardener · February 5, 2010

I grew Black Krim one year here in no-rain-in-the-summer land. For me, it produced a whole bunch at once, the first half of the (long) season. The fruit was more perishable than almost any other one I've grown -- it had to be eaten or processed within a day or two iirc. The flavor was pretty good to great, but after I ran out of people to give them to, I cooked some and they were incredibly rich and luscious. So if you can sell your chefs on a fabulous cooking tomato, and you can get a dry summer

, this is a great choice.

On the other hand, I grew it only one year. Does it split a lot in rainy summers?

pacmanJohn · February 5, 2010

Thanks for all of the advice. Cherokee Purple is definitely a beautiful tomato but just not sure about the production. Sounds like there are some Paul Robeson fans out there. I may just have to grow all four and see

.

dokutaaguriin · February 5, 2010

JD's has my vote!
Jeff

February 4, 2010	#1
pacmanJohn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Frankfort, KY Posts: 143	Help me pick a black... please. I have the seeds of four blacks and want to grow to sell to a local chef. I want a good taster (obviously) which I assume all fit the bill, but I'm looking for production specifically in pounds per plant. The only one I've grown is JD's which is a great tomato and moderately productive but I wasnt' fond of the 'grazing' around the shoulders but not sure I can get away from that. I know that Cherokee Purple looks different while the other three kind of look the same to me (in pictures at least). Black Krim Paul Robeson JD's C-Tex Cherokee Purple I'm not at all opposed to growing more than one of these but wanted to make sure I'm maximizing my space. I've showed the chef pictures of each and he is fine with any. Thanks for your time. __________________ John

February 4, 2010	#2
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	Personally I would say Paul Robeson. It's done pretty well for us in 2 less than good summers. My experiences with Black Krim have been less than spectactular. BK seems more prone than many to "good" years and "off" years. And the off years seem more common than the good years. At least for me. Carol Last edited by Wi-sunflower; February 4, 2010 at 07:01 PM. Reason: spelling

February 4, 2010	#5
pacmanJohn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Frankfort, KY Posts: 143	Thanks for the input. Very much appreciated. __________________ John

February 4, 2010	#6
icelord Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: 23463 copemish Mi 49625 Posts: 180	Black Tomatoes If you can find them, Spudatula and Flathead monster would be the ones, if not Black from Tula is a superb choice I have grown lots of blacks and this is one of the best. Icelord

February 4, 2010	#10
johno Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arkansas zone 6b Posts: 441	Out of those four, Black Krim is my personal favorite for taste. But they all taste good. For production and appearance, I'd go with Paul Robeson. __________________ You create your own universe as you go along. Winston Churchill

February 4, 2010	#4
mtbigfish Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chillicothe Ohio - left Calif July 2010 Posts: 451	Pacman again it is where you live and weather - Black Krim always has been good producer here in Calif have not grown JD's C-Tex will this year the others are about the same but CP is larger toms for me - alway done excellent with carbon all around Dennis

February 4, 2010	#9
dustdevil Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: WI, USA Zone4 Posts: 1,887	You need to grow a pretty tomato, since presentation is important to a chef. If you really want to do well, grow KY heirlooms and the local clientel will be smiling. Maria at Blue Ribbon would be a good one to talk to about KY varieties.

February 4, 2010	#11
pete Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: cincinnati Posts: 202	I'm just an hour or so north of you here in Cincinnati. I grew paul robeson and it was very productive but not as flavorful as cherokee purple. I am growing JD's this year along with cherokee purple. Paul Robeson seems to be a favorite for a lot of growers but the flavor in my garden was not great. I have also grown carbon, black pear, and black prince and they are not on the list this year. Black Krim does well in hot dry years for me, after last year I am trying amazon chocolate, black brandywine (2 sources), liz birt, Indian stripe, spudakee, and vorlon. It would be a good idea to grow a few varieties in case your main pick don't pick good (english teach rolls in grave). Pete

February 4, 2010	#12
DeanRIowa Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: 5a - NE Iowa Posts: 416	I personally like the flavor, size, and production of Paul Robeson. Dean

February 5, 2010	#13
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	I grew Black Krim one year here in no-rain-in-the-summer land. For me, it produced a whole bunch at once, the first half of the (long) season. The fruit was more perishable than almost any other one I've grown -- it had to be eaten or processed within a day or two iirc. The flavor was pretty good to great, but after I ran out of people to give them to, I cooked some and they were incredibly rich and luscious. So if you can sell your chefs on a fabulous cooking tomato, and you can get a dry summer , this is a great choice. On the other hand, I grew it only one year. Does it split a lot in rainy summers?

February 5, 2010	#15
dokutaaguriin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada Z3a Posts: 905	JD's has my vote! Jeff