Dona f1 tomatoes question..

hornstrider · April 18, 2017

Thanks to Stephen I believe I have three robust dona tomato plants in the first stage of setting fruit. The plants are setting fruit in abundant clusters. I believe it may be rather productive. My brother has grown In the past when f1 seed were available.....he has raved about the flavor....but the f1 strain was discontinued. ...I have read on tomatoville of growers that have grown in the past, and have a positive experience with them. I'm in central texas what can I expect?

ABlindHog · April 19, 2017

I grew Dona once four or five years ago, two plants only. I found it to be similar to Early Girl in size and productivity but the fruit lacked Early Girl's brightness of flavor and color. The plants, weakened by Hill Country weather conditions succumbed to disease relatively early, and I moved on. Your mileage may vary.

cwavec · April 24, 2017

Larry,

Dona F1 was discontinued in 2007 by Vilmorin, the company that, as far
as I know, originally bred the cultivar. By necessity, since the simple name
"Dona" actually refers to the F1, the entire Dona variety was discontinued
although numerous dishonest or badly informed individuals continued
using the name. In other words, from 2007 there was no tomato or seed
available that was legitimately known as Dona.

For this reason, when referring to the Dona tomato, I always call it Dona F1
to distinguish it from its illegitimate imposters.

In 2009, Vilmorin re-introduced Dona (a.k.a. Dona F1) and it is the same as
the pre-2007 cultivar. At first, they supplied seed from a pre-2007 stock
but shortly began supplying freshly grown seed. So, although it was once
discontinued, it is no longer in that status. You might say that there was
a hiatus rather than a final discontinuance.

I am pleased to hear that your plants are setting fruit and hope that your
results are what you expect. I have found that Dona F1 requires a bit
of heat to develop its unique subtlety. I would guess that in Texas you
have that factor in your favor. You should expect them to do just fine.
But then, don't ask me - ask them.

I also see the other post from Texas Hill Country but don't know exactly
what weather conditions he is referring to. A cloudy and cool season
will take its toll on any red tomato (IMHO). Interestingly, I have also
grown Early Girl and found her profoundly boring. So, yes, I have made
the same comparison as ABlindHog has done and arrived at exactly the
opposite conclusion. Guess there's no accounting for individual taste.

SH

MikeInCypress · April 24, 2017

Well, thanks for letting me know that Dona has come out of retirement. I am going to Paris Wednesday and I'll try to find a pack. Back in the 1980's I grew Dona F1 and Carmello every year. They did great and along with Big Set F1 were my go to plants like Big Beef, Atkinson, & Tycoon are today.

MikeInCypress

April 18, 2017	#1
hornstrider Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hutto, Texas Posts: 230	Dona f1 tomatoes question.. Thanks to Stephen I believe I have three robust dona tomato plants in the first stage of setting fruit. The plants are setting fruit in abundant clusters. I believe it may be rather productive. My brother has grown In the past when f1 seed were available.....he has raved about the flavor....but the f1 strain was discontinued. ...I have read on tomatoville of growers that have grown in the past, and have a positive experience with them. I'm in central texas what can I expect?

April 24, 2017	#3
cwavec Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2016 Location: PA - 5b Posts: 92	F1 etc. Larry, Dona F1 was discontinued in 2007 by Vilmorin, the company that, as far as I know, originally bred the cultivar. By necessity, since the simple name "Dona" actually refers to the F1, the entire Dona variety was discontinued although numerous dishonest or badly informed individuals continued using the name. In other words, from 2007 there was no tomato or seed available that was legitimately known as Dona. For this reason, when referring to the Dona tomato, I always call it Dona F1 to distinguish it from its illegitimate imposters. In 2009, Vilmorin re-introduced Dona (a.k.a. Dona F1) and it is the same as the pre-2007 cultivar. At first, they supplied seed from a pre-2007 stock but shortly began supplying freshly grown seed. So, although it was once discontinued, it is no longer in that status. You might say that there was a hiatus rather than a final discontinuance. I am pleased to hear that your plants are setting fruit and hope that your results are what you expect. I have found that Dona F1 requires a bit of heat to develop its unique subtlety. I would guess that in Texas you have that factor in your favor. You should expect them to do just fine. But then, don't ask me - ask them. I also see the other post from Texas Hill Country but don't know exactly what weather conditions he is referring to. A cloudy and cool season will take its toll on any red tomato (IMHO). Interestingly, I have also grown Early Girl and found her profoundly boring. So, yes, I have made the same comparison as ABlindHog has done and arrived at exactly the opposite conclusion. Guess there's no accounting for individual taste. SH

April 24, 2017	#4
MikeInCypress Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 963	Well, thanks for letting me know that Dona has come out of retirement. I am going to Paris Wednesday and I'll try to find a pack. Back in the 1980's I grew Dona F1 and Carmello every year. They did great and along with Big Set F1 were my go to plants like Big Beef, Atkinson, & Tycoon are today. MikeInCypress __________________ "Growing older, not up"

April 19, 2017	#2
ABlindHog Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: The Texas Hill Country Posts: 149	I grew Dona once four or five years ago, two plants only. I found it to be similar to Early Girl in size and productivity but the fruit lacked Early Girl's brightness of flavor and color. The plants, weakened by Hill Country weather conditions succumbed to disease relatively early, and I moved on. Your mileage may vary.