Help with tomato varients and caging

14 years ago

Well my first garden is off to a bit of a rough start.

But..lets not dwell to much and press on

So far I have planted

1 x Opalka

2 x Black Krim

2 x Purple Cherokee

2 x Celebrity

2 x Early Girl

I'm going to take out 1 ea of the Black Krim and Purple Cherokee though because I read they are small producers

I have

4 Rutger

2 Chocolate Cherry, only planting one

I bought these all Sunday and probably can't plant till Sat or Sun...poor plants

My questions are: I would like to plant 1 other cherry and a few others

From reading past posts I get the impression that Better Boy is a good beginner tomato and maybe Sungold?

I prefer more acidic less sweet if that matters.

I also read that some Rutgers can be determine and some indeterminant. My plastic stick doesn't say - so should I assume determinant?

I have four skinny tall cages I made from concrete remesh as an experiment (you can buy 48 x 84 panels at Home depot)

and some of the smaller standard crappy ones.

Which should I use the taller cages on and the others will only get staked and small cages?

Thank you for your help.

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Comments (7)

harveyhorses
14 years ago
My staking/caging methods are kind of a hodge podge, so I won't help with that part of the question.
Black Krim and CP might not produce as heavily as some, but there IS a HUGE quality v. quantity to be considered. I have never been crazy about Rutgers, so they mostly got put up. Just not a 'big' flavor. Last year was the first time I tried BK. and CP, and by the end of the season my sister and I would almost fight over them. That flavor, oh the taste. If you are serious about production, stick with your plan, but try to find a bucket or something for the BK and CP you will be culling.
Just my .0002. Have fun.
keski
14 years ago
marys1000,
IMHO chocolate cherry is a great tomato. You should let them grow on a trellis. Cut in half and slow roast at about 250F for at least an hour. Then marinate in EVOO, garlic, oregano, some balsamic. Everyone I've given these to is crazy about them. I think the flavor is complex and I love the dark purple color.
Keski
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brighteyesLC7
14 years ago
I planted a Sungold Cherry last year and was AMAZED! They were incredibly prolific and delicious. Very sweet and very low acidity. I would try them for sure :)
digdirt2
14 years ago
Rutgers - you should assume indeterminate as that is the most common form sold. The Opalka will need a big cage so will Sun Gold if you do it. Otherwise, of the ones you list, the Black Krim and the Early Girl will be the biggest plants IME although I haven't grown Early Girl for many many years. Celeb would be the next biggest.

But I don't want to mis-lead you into thinking the others will be small or short plants because they won't be. Consider in investing in some better support systems if possible.

Dave

PS: if you are going to pitch plants then my choices would be to toss the Celebrity and the Early Girl. :)
marys1000
Original Author
14 years ago
Honesly I would prefer a more acidic cherry.

Thanks for the info on Rutgers. Seems I grew them in Michigan years and years ago and I don't remember them getting that big. But I don't have a green thumb so....
SneakyP86
14 years ago
My neighbor grows nothing but celebrity around 90 or so every year. His get over 6' tall and are quite bushy. This year it seems as though we are locked in a tomato war. He has over 100 and I just discovered he has a secret little garden where he has at least another twenty or so plants (not bad for an 85 yo man. He has a ways to go though as I have 150 plants in the ground....I NEVER INTENDED TO HAVE SO MANY....thats my story and I'm sticking to it..... I have to go now and make some more tomato cages....LOL
susanlynne48
14 years ago
Keski, your roasted Chocolate Cherry tomatos sound fantastic! How long do you marinate?

Susan