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kkinal

compact indeterminate?

17 years ago

My husband's granmother would like for me to start 4 tomatoes for her to grow in pots this year. I don't want to do all determinate, but I'm afraid most Indet. will get too big. Does anyone have a suggestion for an Indet. that stays somewhat manageable, or maybe a semi-det.? I have seeds for Burpee's Tabletalk (compact Indet.) that I've never had room yet to plant--- any opinions on it? ( I have to say, suggestions need to be red or pink varieties, I don't know if she's into black, yellow, purple, etc.) :)

Comments (8)

  • 17 years ago

    Red Robin is a way cool little plant.

    Sprite is manageable, if she'll like a sweet grape.

    Carolina Gold cranks em out but obviously not red.

    Cherokee Purple and Carbon were both manageable and I hear that Indian Stripe is even better but again, not red.

    The "Huskies" were idiot proof but the fruit was definately not something we would give space to again.

    Good luck.

  • 17 years ago

    Red House Free Standing from Seeds of Change - semi-determinate but produce like an ind. 3-4 feet tall,6-8 oz. red, round fruit. Excellent container variety.

    Bush Champion (bush sized indet.type) is another one we routinely grow for containers.

    Dave

  • 17 years ago

    I've heard that Homestead is a smaller, semi-determinate plant that can grow in a container. I grew it in the garden last year, but it was planted late so it didn't reach full size before the frost. But this year I'm growing some (from last year's saved seed) in containers as I don't have room in the garden with all the other big indeterminates I'm putting there. The fruit tasted good; I'd say to give this one a try.

  • 17 years ago

    New Big Dwarf is perfect for large containers, and really delicious too. The plant grows 3-4' tall, not very wide, and has a strong central stem, so they're easier to keep well-supported. The fruit is pink, large, somewhat oblate, and very, very good.

  • 17 years ago

    I was going to recommend New Big Dwarf, too. I grow it every year in a container on my deck and like it because the tomatoes aren't so dinky! It, however, IS a determinate.

    I've grown a Rutgers version that was listed as being determinate, and though it stopped producing when it was really hot, it took off again later when things cooled down some. Others said they've had the same experience with the Rutgers determinate. The tomatoes aren't so large but they're extremely tasty with that old-time flavor.

    What you might do if you want to keep the plants determinate-sized is choose one variety of determinate and succession plant it so each one ripens a bit later than the previous one.

  • 17 years ago

    Regardless of whether Bradley is called determinate, I've found that it produces good tasting, pink slicing tomatoes over an extended season, beginning about 80 days after transplant, when grown in 5, 7, or 10 gallon nursery tubs. It can be contained easily with a 4-foot wire cage. Bradley has been a great tomato in my garden the past 3 years and will reappear every season here.

  • 17 years ago

    Off the top of my head:

    Black Russian
    Moskvich
    Stupice

    The last two I can vouch for, but Black Russian I only know what I've read.

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