Last seedling to plant: Porter vs. Rutgers??

kerns125 · May 19, 2013

Hi everyone! I only just started gardening last year and am obsessed. I even made my own grafts this year using Maxifort rootstock for a few varieties to see if it makes much difference where I live (7a, in Alexandria VA). ANYWAY, I have one spot left for a tomato and am torn between Rutgers and Porter. I already have a bunch of tomatoes planted:
Brandywine (pink/Sudduth, red, black), Brandy Boy, a couple Cherokee Purple, San Marzano, Giant Belgium, Tangerine, 3 Sun Golds, one Porter and one Rutgers. I am primarily interested in strong flavor, and last year my black tomatoes tasted watery (I'm going to try to water less this year) so my favorite was Brandy Boy (I didn't grow any Brandywine last year). I plan to can extras, and also make a great roasted salsa that I can which requires tomatoes to hold their shape on the grill until skins blacken.

I would LOVE to hear your advice about Porter vs. Rutgers -- flavor, utility, production? As an aside, the Porter strain I have is from Reed B. which has been propagated over the years by his grandfather, Charles Herring. (Reed, all the seeds I planted germinated!) The Rutgers plant is one I grew from seed from Heirloom seeds.com. Both seedlings appear equally healthy and similar size right now.

THANKS!
Jen

Redbaron · May 19, 2013

I hate to say it but there are millions of Rutgers out there and only one rare Charles Herring Porter. So It is no contest. As much as I like Rutgers I would plant the porter. It is small and no one knows the flavor but Baiz. But that's still what I would plant.

halleone · May 19, 2013

I agree with Scott. I grew Rutgers once, it never got invited back to my garden.....

spacetogrow · May 19, 2013

I've never grown Rutgers. I grew plain old Porter last year and it was the only variety (of about 15) that kept producing right through the unusual heat. However, its flavor was mild.

kerns125 · May 19, 2013

Thanks for your input, everyone- looks like Porter/Charles Herring it is!!

May 19, 2013	#1
kerns125 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: 22301 Posts: 92	Last seedling to plant: Porter vs. Rutgers?? Hi everyone! I only just started gardening last year and am obsessed. I even made my own grafts this year using Maxifort rootstock for a few varieties to see if it makes much difference where I live (7a, in Alexandria VA). ANYWAY, I have one spot left for a tomato and am torn between Rutgers and Porter. I already have a bunch of tomatoes planted: Brandywine (pink/Sudduth, red, black), Brandy Boy, a couple Cherokee Purple, San Marzano, Giant Belgium, Tangerine, 3 Sun Golds, one Porter and one Rutgers. I am primarily interested in strong flavor, and last year my black tomatoes tasted watery (I'm going to try to water less this year) so my favorite was Brandy Boy (I didn't grow any Brandywine last year). I plan to can extras, and also make a great roasted salsa that I can which requires tomatoes to hold their shape on the grill until skins blacken. I would LOVE to hear your advice about Porter vs. Rutgers -- flavor, utility, production? As an aside, the Porter strain I have is from Reed B. which has been propagated over the years by his grandfather, Charles Herring. (Reed, all the seeds I planted germinated!) The Rutgers plant is one I grew from seed from Heirloom seeds.com. Both seedlings appear equally healthy and similar size right now. THANKS! Jen

May 19, 2013	#2
Redbaron Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,488	I hate to say it but there are millions of Rutgers out there and only one rare Charles Herring Porter. So It is no contest. As much as I like Rutgers I would plant the porter. It is small and no one knows the flavor but Baiz. But that's still what I would plant. __________________ Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture

May 19, 2013	#3
halleone Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Walla Walla, Washington Posts: 360	I agree with Scott. I grew Rutgers once, it never got invited back to my garden.....

May 19, 2013	#4
spacetogrow Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: MN zone 4 Posts: 359	I've never grown Rutgers. I grew plain old Porter last year and it was the only variety (of about 15) that kept producing right through the unusual heat. However, its flavor was mild.