Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Southern WI
Posts: 2,742
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I read about Big Cheef at Tatiana's and there is a thread here that discusses proper leaf type but I'm curious if people who have/do grow it would share their thoughts/experiences. Do you still grow it? If not any reason other than just wanting to try more varieties. Thanks a lot!
Justin |
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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Big Cheef was one that looked and sounded awesome and I really wanted to like it so I grew it a couple of times, but it didn't measure up to the others in taste, earliness, production, etc. compared to others of its type that were grown in the same year so I dropped it. In my garden, I haven't noticed anything special about disease resistance in potato leaved varieties- they just look bare a lot sooner after I have to start removing diseased leaves.
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#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Southeast Kansas
Posts: 878
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Grew it in 2014 and thought it was fantastic. Mid season at 80 days, good production of 1 lb. tomatoes all summer. Flavor was very good to excellent. I had no disease issues with it. It will be returning at some future date - have lots of others to trial.
Considering Kath's report it just goes to show you that everyone's experience with a certain variety can be completely different and a good reason not to rely on reports from others when deciding whether to grow something. |
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#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Evansville, IN
Posts: 2,984
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I imagine Big Cheef experiences will vary with seed sources.
The Big Cheef tomatoes pictured at Tatiana's Tomatobase, attributed to me, were the finest tasting tomatoes I ever ate. Subsequent segregations varied in sweetness/tartness balance as well as size and intensity of flesh color. I saved seeds from only the best examples up to F5. I think probably Timothy (of Carolina) has the best examples of Big Cheef at this time, as he has carefully selected up to and past F10. |
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#5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10
Posts: 9,283
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There is a picture of half of one in my current photo thread of my grow list. It was just wonderful. My seeds were from Karen at MichiganHeirlooms. She also gave me Big Cheef Stripes, aka Carneal Tiger.( that's what she put on the envelope)
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#6 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MA
Posts: 4,968
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#7 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E
Posts: 5,041
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Ami
__________________
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!' |
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#8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10
Posts: 9,283
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Tormato. If it was pink, it wasn't Big Cheef.
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#9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,049
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I've been wondering where this one fits in.
http://tatianastomatobase.com/wiki/B...nk_Potato_Leaf Steve |
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#10 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10
Posts: 9,283
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Wow, I can understand where the confusion is with this. ![]() |
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#11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Evansville, IN
Posts: 2,984
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Big Cheer, Pink came about, best I can remember, when Ami said he found a "red" tomato from seeds I sent him for Big Cheer (purple). Correct me if I'm wrong, Ami.
Then when I grew out seeds Aim returned, I got an extra large, more flattened PINK beefsteak tomato, potato leaf foliage, as with the original purple (maroon) Big Cheef. This is how I remember it, but that was nearly 6 years ago. So, if my memory is faulty, Ami can correct me. My name is Bill Jeffers, and Ami is Ted Corbett, for your reference in regard to Tatiana's info. I hope my info is correct, and that it clears up any "confusion" as to Big Cheef (maroon) vs. Big Cheef, Pink. Personally, I don't find the naming process to be any different than dozens of other named varieties that came about in a similar progression. And as to "tasteless," the Big Cheef, Pink that I grew, while it was not as boldly flavored as its maroon sister line, was far from "tasteless." As with many pink tomato lines that segregate from purple tomato outcrosses, it did not have the same degree of sweetness laced with the earthier or "smokey" undertones attributed to maroon tomatoes. And the Pink line seemed significantly more aggressive in terms of foliage growth. I have not grown it for about 4 or 5 years, but maybe I should revisit it this summer. I think a lot of the experiences shared here and other threads regarding "bland" or "tasteless" tomatoes from the same varieties that other folks describe as superior are more a function of climate, weather, irrigation, and soil conditions than "personal taste." Fact is, watered down tomatoes yield watered down flavor. Last edited by travis; January 6, 2016 at 11:36 AM. |
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#12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,049
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Thanks for that clarification, travis.
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#13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MA
Posts: 4,968
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#14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 192
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Big Cheef is by far the best tomato I've ever tasted. I've grown it every year since I acquired it from Bill Jeffers around 5 yrs. ago. It's only drawback is that it's thin skinned and doesn't have the shelf life most folks want. This isn't an issue with me, I think the thin skin adds to its deliciousness. It's my all time favorite and I've grown many varieties over the years.
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#15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Ontario
Posts: 3,893
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How big does the fruit get on Big Cheef?
Is it mid-season or late? Not that I have room for even one more, just curious. Linda |
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