Ramapo F4

[geol]

[Tomstrees]

cool !
How was the flavor > ?

~ Tom

[geol]

Hi Tom, I meant to post a description the other day, but got side tracked.
The Ramapo F4 did OK for me this season. It's been an off year in regard to production for many varieties in my garden, but Ramapo seemed to hold it's own. It’s a nice red, good flavor - not too unlike some of the other reds I grew this year (Rutgers, Wva 63) - maybe a little larger, and not as sweet. I have a hard time trying to describe flavors, I would just say it had a more acidic taste. My wife says it tasted like dirt (this is good). Having grown up in the south, I wasn’t familiar with that description. Maybe it’s a Jersey thing, but a good Jersey dirt tomato is a good thing indeed. I didn’t prune, and the plants got pretty bushy to a height of about 5’. Mostly 6-10oz. fruit, some around 12-14oz. in my garden. . I did save some unbagged F5 seed, if anyone is interested let me know.

[Tomstrees]

I agree with taste being very hard to describe -
Its like the movie: City of Angels when the
guy is asked to describe the taste of a pear ~

I can differentiate the taste of:
mild - sweet - mild acidity - high acidity -
Thats about if for taste descriptions !!! lol ~

There is something about NJ soil for sure -
I would think soil/growing medium would def. have an effect on taste !

Great to see your project up and growing ...

~ Tom

ps. you've got a PM !!!

[Dave_Z6]

geol:
I too have been growing Ramapo for two years now but don't know how far into the grow out my seeds are.
I got them from a farmers market vendor who didn't know it was a hybrid and has been saving the seeds for a few years, he said.
Mine are not as large as yours but good otherwise and very productive.
I would like to try some of your Ramapo F5's and a few WVa 63's if you can spare them.
I have over 100 varieties to trade, so if you would PM me with any you're seeking we can do a trade.
Dave

[geol]

In response to questions asked concerning stability at the F5 and trueness to type, I would have to say that I never grew the original Ramapo hybrid to compare. It is my understanding that it is stable. This is the first time that I’ve grown this variety, and can say that the two plants that I grew appear to be the same. Here’s a little more detail of how it looked in my garden, for others to compare to their grow outs, or so that those more familiar with the original Ramapo hybrid might chime in on it’s trueness to form. Upon closer inspection, pulled up , the vines reach a height of 6 ½ ft, with 8-10 branches. Larger fruit on the lower trusses gave way to progressively smaller tomatoes on average , as the season advanced. The picture below, taken yesterday , may be one of the last of the year as things seem to be slowing to a stop.

Slices from a 6.25 oz. Ramapo F4 - late season

Some of the largest fruit showed a hint of hollowness (small air gaps around some of the seed gels). Many showed traces of white core (what my wife calls tomato grizzle) as you get close to the stem end. She gave it a couple of “best yet” ratings during the course of the summer, against some very tough competition. But then again, she is a little biased towards the reds.
Dave, there were only three in the 12-14 oz. range. 6-10 was more typical. You'll have mail.
Here is a link to a post that covers some of these issues in more detail: http://www.tomatoville.com/viewtopic.php?t=1712&start=0

Hope this is of help.

[travis]

Dave,

Below are links to two other threads discussing Ramapo F4 segregates.

The photos seem to show a tomato that compares closely
to the ones shown sliced in this thread.

I would love to share some F5 seeds with anyone who has
other examples of Ramapo segregates from their grow-outs ...
especially some that were grown from a different source
as yours are from a farmer in Ohio.
That would be great!

My F5 seeds are from four different plants
grown from F4 seeds provided by Barkeater
who got his F3 seeds from Carolyn.

Here's the links:

http://www.tomatoville.com/viewtopic...ghlight=ramapo

http://www.tomatoville.com/viewtopic.php?p=20305#20305

You may contact me for trades at papavic@tomatoville.com

PV

[Dave_Z6]

Thank you both for the info and the links.
I'm sending a PM to each of you.
Dave

[Earl]

I found this info on the internet, could be useful to you Ramapo diehards, :-)

Bennetts Farm
Finest in Fresh Flowers and Vegetables

Ramapo: Indeterminate like big boy with bigger fruit.

We are at the Minneapolis Farmers Market. Click on "Market Times" for dates and time. Give us a call 715-442-2245!

[travis]

Originally Posted by Earl

I found this info on the internet, could be useful to you Ramapo diehards, :-)

Bennetts Farm
Finest in Fresh Flowers and Vegetables

Ramapo: Indeterminate like big boy with bigger fruit.

We are at the Minneapolis Farmers Market. Click on "Market Times" for dates and time. Give us a call 715-442-2245!

Thank you, Earl.

I emailed Mr. Bennett asking whether he had any
Ramapo or Merced seeds left or was planning to
offer Ramapo or Merced seedlings next season.
Here is his reply:

"Bill, we will no longer have either of the two that you
ask about --we can not seem to find seeds --we did
have seeds left over but now even they are gone.
John Bennett, Bennett's Farm"

Another good source bites the dirt

PV

[Earl]

Sorry, Papa. :-( I tried! :-)