Isis Tomatoes

AlittleSalt · June 1, 2015

A month or so ago in a PM, a long time Tomatoville member wrote that he had problems growing Isis candy here in Texas. I'm having problems growing Starfire Isis in my gardens too. Out of 3 plants, I only have one left and it does not look good. (I'll add pictures)

I'm wondering if any of you southern gardeners have the same problems with Isis tomato plants? Of course, I would like to know how they grow for all gardeners reading this as well. If there is a problem growing them here in Texas - I will add the seeds I have to my trade list.

I have Isis Brandy, Isis Candy, and Starfire Isis.

The first two pictures are of Starfire Isis taken this morning. They seem to look worse every day. The plant did go through two hail storms, and most of the awful looking branches are the leaf part of the plant. I have not given up hope on this plant...besides, our 5 year old grandson loves the name. The last picture is to show how 20-or-so other tomato varieties look growing near the Starfire Isis.

WhippoorwillG · June 1, 2015

I quit growing Isis cherry several years ago because of repeated poor performances. I'm in Ga, zone 7b.

Barb_FL · June 1, 2015

I grew 2 plants of Isis Brandy this spring in 10 gallon root pouches. Both plants were healthy. One plant produced lots of tomatoes, the other produced zero tomatoes.

The problem with the tomato that grew lots of tomatoes was the taste was not good.
It was probably the most disappointing taste of any tomato I grew this year or possibly ever.

Tomatoes were used chopped up in cucumber salad. I would never just eat that tomato.

----------
I grew Isis Candy in the fall and didn't bother planting it for the spring.

ETA: I'm like your grandson; I liked the name too.

Tormato · June 1, 2015

Here in the northeast, I trialed Isis Candy a few years ago. The plant was overshadowed by healthier varieties close by.
IC produced two tomatoes.

Gary

Mojave · June 1, 2015

Well I just tried my first Isis Candy of 2015 and it was great! My plant is doing very well and is loading up with fruit. Last year I lost all of my IC (and many other tomatoes and peppers) to stink bugs. This time I pulled out my grapevine which seemed to be the breeding ground for the stinkers. Haven't seen one yet.

I've always had good production and taste from Isis Candy. Maybe they like our climate here on the West Coast.

Salsacharley · June 1, 2015

I grew Isis Candy indoors beginning in November last year. The plant is still going. The fruits have begun to look like small red cherries instead of the bicolor with the cross marking on the blossom end it had in the beginning. I suspect that this is due to the plant becoming way overcrowded in the space I'm growing it. The fruit has always been quite sweet and tasty. I'm trying to figure out a way to take it down from the 6' high shelf it is growing on in a reusable grocery bag and move it outside. I don't know how to harden a 7' plant full of fruit. I guess I'll find out.

NarnianGarden · June 1, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tormato

Here in the northeast, I trialed Isis Candy a few years ago. The plant was overshadowed by healthier varieties close by.
IC produced two tomatoes.

Gary

While I offer my condolences, let me also say that my motto has been that as long as the plant produces even one edible fruit, it has been worth the trouble. That way, it can be argued that the amount of seeds reaped is more than the amount of seeds sowed

Worth1 · June 1, 2015

It was probably me that said I had a hard time growing isis candy.
Not the plants fault but the darn things seem to be a magnet for bad luck.
One year a lighting strike another a meteor landed on it.

Five years standing and not one fruit they all died in infancy.
Worth

Dang Me · June 1, 2015

Grew it last year and it lasted through the entire summer in Abilene heat and was productive. Didn't taste like much but I was impressed that it could take the full sun here.

AlittleSalt · June 1, 2015

It was you Worth.

It would be pretty cool if a meteor hit my SI plant - at least I would have a new rock in our collection.

bower · June 1, 2015

Isis Candy didn't like my greenhouse - less light, higher relative humidity. It grew into a large plant but refused to set one fruit and was always coming down with some leaf thing. So by drag and push and branches on a leash (no kiddin!) I moved it outdoors.
Yes it lost all its leaves in the first week or so, but promptly grew new ones that were better suited - tough, green, not finicky. And it set up a decent bit of fruit for an outdoor tomato with not much season left - at least it was still worth watering the plant.

. I probably got four pints or five. They were sweet and very tasty.

flyfiishn · June 1, 2015

Here in Central Valley of California my Isis Candy are doing pretty well. I am still about 2 weeks from any ripe fruit but thus far the plant is very healthy and setting a lot of fruit. It was the last of my cherries to set fruit but once it did, it caught up quickly and is similar size and numbers of cherry tomatoes to my other 5 varieties.

Will re-visit and advise on final product as well as taste and productivity. Thus far, it looks good.

AlittleSalt · June 4, 2015

Okay, time to give up on this Starfire Isis plant. It looks worse each day. The picture actually looks better than it does otherwise.

DonnaMarieNJ · June 4, 2015

Darn! I'm growing two, and gave away some to friends. I hope mine is ok.....

Worth1 · June 4, 2015

I can't wait to get home and see what mine look like.

Worth

June 1, 2015	#2
WhippoorwillG Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Hartwell, Georgia Posts: 174	I quit growing Isis cherry several years ago because of repeated poor performances. I'm in Ga, zone 7b. __________________ Mark Whippoorwill Gardens

June 1, 2015	#5
Mojave Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: SF Bay area Z9a Posts: 821	Well I just tried my first Isis Candy of 2015 and it was great! My plant is doing very well and is loading up with fruit. Last year I lost all of my IC (and many other tomatoes and peppers) to stink bugs. This time I pulled out my grapevine which seemed to be the breeding ground for the stinkers. Haven't seen one yet. I've always had good production and taste from Isis Candy. Maybe they like our climate here on the West Coast. __________________ Bill _______________________________________________ When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. -John Muir Believe those who seek the Truth: Doubt those who find it. -André Gide

June 4, 2015	#14
DonnaMarieNJ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northeast New Jersey Posts: 731	Darn! I'm growing two, and gave away some to friends. I hope mine is ok..... __________________ DonnaMarieNJ I pay the mortgage, but my cats own the house!

June 1, 2015	#3
Barb_FL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Indialantic, Florida Posts: 2,000	I grew 2 plants of Isis Brandy this spring in 10 gallon root pouches. Both plants were healthy. One plant produced lots of tomatoes, the other produced zero tomatoes. The problem with the tomato that grew lots of tomatoes was the taste was not good. It was probably the most disappointing taste of any tomato I grew this year or possibly ever. Tomatoes were used chopped up in cucumber salad. I would never just eat that tomato. ---------- I grew Isis Candy in the fall and didn't bother planting it for the spring. ETA: I'm like your grandson; I liked the name too.

June 1, 2015	#4
Tormato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA Posts: 4,971	Here in the northeast, I trialed Isis Candy a few years ago. The plant was overshadowed by healthier varieties close by. IC produced two tomatoes. Gary

June 1, 2015	#6
Salsacharley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: New Mexico Posts: 2,052	I grew Isis Candy indoors beginning in November last year. The plant is still going. The fruits have begun to look like small red cherries instead of the bicolor with the cross marking on the blossom end it had in the beginning. I suspect that this is due to the plant becoming way overcrowded in the space I'm growing it. The fruit has always been quite sweet and tasty. I'm trying to figure out a way to take it down from the 6' high shelf it is growing on in a reusable grocery bag and move it outside. I don't know how to harden a 7' plant full of fruit. I guess I'll find out.

June 1, 2015	#8
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	It was probably me that said I had a hard time growing isis candy. Not the plants fault but the darn things seem to be a magnet for bad luck. One year a lighting strike another a meteor landed on it. Five years standing and not one fruit they all died in infancy. Worth

June 1, 2015	#9
Dang Me Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 12	Grew it last year and it lasted through the entire summer in Abilene heat and was productive. Didn't taste like much but I was impressed that it could take the full sun here.

June 1, 2015	#10
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	It was you Worth. It would be pretty cool if a meteor hit my SI plant - at least I would have a new rock in our collection.

June 1, 2015	#11
bower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 6,794	Isis Candy didn't like my greenhouse - less light, higher relative humidity. It grew into a large plant but refused to set one fruit and was always coming down with some leaf thing. So by drag and push and branches on a leash (no kiddin!) I moved it outdoors. Yes it lost all its leaves in the first week or so, but promptly grew new ones that were better suited - tough, green, not finicky. And it set up a decent bit of fruit for an outdoor tomato with not much season left - at least it was still worth watering the plant. . I probably got four pints or five. They were sweet and very tasty.

June 1, 2015	#12
flyfiishn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: Northern CA Posts: 80	Here in Central Valley of California my Isis Candy are doing pretty well. I am still about 2 weeks from any ripe fruit but thus far the plant is very healthy and setting a lot of fruit. It was the last of my cherries to set fruit but once it did, it caught up quickly and is similar size and numbers of cherry tomatoes to my other 5 varieties. Will re-visit and advise on final product as well as taste and productivity. Thus far, it looks good.