Big Beef 8/12/2015

[justplainmike]

Here you go folks . My Big Beef plant . I'm in south western Pennsylvania .
mike

[Carriehelene]

Beautiful! My first year growing Big Beef. Loving it!

[silverseed]

Nice ! I have heard so many good things on here about Big Beef I have put it on my 2016 grow list.

[justplainmike]

I have to say I'm impressed with these Big Beef plants . Its my first year for them as well . they came on about a week or so earlier then my Better Boy . Almost perfect tomato's . My Better Boys are doing great as well . But I'm highly disappointed in my Mister Stripey . All are Bonnie Plants . What are you folks growing for your sandwich tomato's ?

mike h

[wildcat62]

I had real good luck with Big Beef plants this year also. Probably gonna be a staple in my garden in the future.

[justplainmike]

Originally Posted by wildcat62

I had real good luck with Big Beef plants this year also. Probably gonna be a staple in my garden in the future.

Man I love them . I will be growing Big Beef from now on . What a producer !!
But I'm still looking for a really big tomato for single slice sandwich's .Mr. Stripey is not coming back .
jpm.

[Barb_FL]

It looks great, loaded with fruit and definitely NOT HUGE - a big plus. Is it growing in a HD bucket? If so, was that bucket made into a SWC? I can't tell but do you have it staked at all. What are you using for fertilizer?

I've never grow BB but just seeing your pic makes me want to try it this fall.

[justplainmike]

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

It looks great, loaded with fruit and definitely NOT HUGE - a big plus. Is it growing in a HD bucket? If so, was that bucket made into a SWC? I can't tell but do you have it staked at all. What are you using for fertilizer?

I've never grow BB but just seeing your pic makes me want to try it this fall.

Hi Barb ,
Its in a HD bucket yes . The plant I would save is about 5 1/2 ' tall . I have it staked and tied yes . And its been a huge producer ! I have not picked any suckers off either . Basically I just let it do its own thing just to see what happens . The bucket has 5 holes in the bottom and the bottom has a layer of small river stone from HD .About as big as a quarter .
I fertilize with just the plain old Miracle Grow plant food once a week .I have to water twice daily .In FL you might have to really keep a close eye on them because of the intense sun and heat !!
jpm

[feldon30]

Originally Posted by justplainmike

I have to say I'm impressed with these Big Beef plants . Its my first year for them as well . they came on about a week or so earlier then my Better Boy . Almost perfect tomato's . My Better Boys are doing great as well . But I'm highly disappointed in my Mister Stripey . All are Bonnie Plants . What are you folks growing for your sandwich tomato's ?

mike h

My main sandwich tomato is Earl's Faux. I grew 5 plants of it this year and was not disappointed. Indian Stripe was more productive for me than the typical year for Cherokee Purple. You're unlikely to encounter either EF or IS at a local nursery, but there are tons of varieties worth growing. Looks like you're southeast of Pittsburg. Aren't there a ton of local nurseries with a variety of plants? I've been in that part of the country and I remember driving past at least 3 nurseries I'd wished I had time to stop and visit. I mean heck you're less than 2 hours from where Brandywines were first grown.

Disappointment in the Mr Stripey plants from Bonnie's is pretty common. If you google it, you'll find countless people who get a "bull" plant with zero flowers/tomatoes. You'd think with all those complaints they'd switch seeds to something else. Maybe you'll get lucky and find Lucky Cross or Big Rainbow at a local shop.

[justplainmike]

Well yes there are many nurseries here in western pa , but the old fella that I bought all my gardening products from passed away last winter and I have not found a place yet to buy my plants . I bought my plants from him for 30 years .And yes I'm 38 miles south east of Pittsburgh .
jpm

Originally Posted by feldon30

My main sandwich tomato is Earl's Faux. I grew 5 plants of it this year and was not disappointed. Indian Stripe was more productive for me than the typical year for Cherokee Purple. You're unlikely to encounter either EF or IS at a local nursery, but there are tons of varieties worth growing. Looks like you're southeast of Pittsburg. Aren't there a ton of local nurseries with a variety of plants? I've been in that part of the country and I remember driving past at least 3 nurseries I'd wished I had time to stop and visit. I mean heck you're less than 2 hours from where Brandywines were first grown.

Disappointment in the Mr Stripey plants from Bonnie's is pretty common. If you google it, you'll find countless people who get a "bull" plant with zero flowers/tomatoes. You'd think with all those complaints they'd switch seeds to something else. Maybe you'll get lucky and find Lucky Cross or Big Rainbow at a local shop.

[justplainmike]

I'm wondering if any of you have given these a shot ?

http://www.post-gazette.com/life/gar...s/200803010163

jpm

[Bipetual]

I've noticed that growing big indeterminates in 5 gallon buckets helps keep them a manageable size, which is a big help if you have to spray them. I wonder if they get huge in the ground?

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

It looks great, loaded with fruit and definitely NOT HUGE - a big plus. Is it growing in a HD bucket? If so, was that bucket made into a SWC? I can't tell but do you have it staked at all. What are you using for fertilizer?

I've never grow BB but just seeing your pic makes me want to try it this fall.

[Barb_FL]

Originally Posted by Bipetual

I've noticed that growing big indeterminates in 5 gallon buckets helps keep them a manageable size, which is a big help if you have to spray them. I wonder if they get huge in the ground?

I can't grow tomatoes in the ground at all due to nematodes - so it is EarthBoxes or Root Pouches for me. I do have a few HD SWC.


Mike - Thanks for the info re: your BB. Forgot to add that was a cool story - Ginger (Marsha) definitely grew it during the spring b/c I have seeds from her seed swap. I think she loved it.

[justplainmike]

Here you go folks . Now you can get an idea of the average size of the Big Beef tomato's I'm getting off this plant . They are a bit larger then my Better Boys . And no cracking at all .
jpm

[justplainmike]

I would like to talk to her about how they did for her .
jpm

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

I can't grow tomatoes in the ground at all due to nematodes - so it is EarthBoxes or Root Pouches for me. I do have a few HD SWC.


Mike - Thanks for the info re: your BB. Forgot to add that was a cool story - Ginger (Marsha) definitely grew it during the spring b/c I have seeds from her seed swap. I think she loved it.