According to what I have read there are at least 2 different varieties sold under the name "New Big Dwarf" - an early to mid-season variety @ 60 days and a late season variety at 80-90 days. Possibly 3 or 4 varieties if you include 'Big Dwarf' and 'Isabella's New Big Dwarf'.

Insidious plot? No. Fairly common in the world of tomatoes? Yes. ;) Which is why DTM doesn't mean much.

Dave

I think the one most well known is New Big Dwarf, a selection from a cross between Ponderosa X Dwarf Champion that was originally released by the Isbell Seed Co around 1915.

But they called it New Big Dwarf, not something with Isbell in the name as Dave said above it's also know as. But as often happens when a different seed Co offers the same variety they attach a seed source name to it or change the name considerably,and I mean back then, not so much now.

Just to give you an idea of different DTM's for the same variety as posted by SSE members who list it in the 2008 Yearbook for members, and the DTM's reflect just the single season someone grew it and submitted the variety for listing>

There is no listing for a Big Dwarf in the SSE Yearbooks, just the correct name of New Big Dwarf.

72 days, British Columbia
56days, Michigan
80 days, Ohio
TX, DTM not given

As far as I'm concerned I think DTM's are sheer guesstinmates when it comes to any variety b'c there are so many variables that come to play in any given season.

I'd much rather see varieties listed as early, midseason and late and put some numbers on those three categories.

Carolyn

I am growing A NBD in my sunny dining room window this winter. Ijust snapped this pic. Seeds came from Craig a few years ago I think. How tall is this plant supposed to get? It is 3feet tall now in my window and still shooting upwards. (Of course winter sun isn't as long as summer sun) I am baffled by the fact that I am having some foliage problems and it's never been outdoors. Growing in Pro Mix only. I never had indoor foliage problems before. I use fish/kelp only and sparingly at that. Maybe because the OPEN pro mix bale has been in my garage for a couple years? Beats me?

Anyway, two questions:

1. Why the foliage issue INDOORS?
2. How can I increase fruit set? (I am shaking the plant three times per day already giving it a really good shaking! I have only 9 fruit set so far.

They taste great and I'd call it a mid season. Here's a pic taken minutes ago:

Here's the discription fron Victoryseed. Grew it in 7 gal container in 2006 and plant reached 4+feet. Good production and excellent taste. Ami

90 days, tree-type  S. M. Isbell & Co. bred this variety by selecting from crosses of 'Ponderosa' with 'Dwarf Champion'. Their goal, which they accomplished, was to produce a variety with large, pink fruit on compact, rugose leaf plants. It was released it in their 1915 seed annual with the following words, "Isbell's New Big Dwarf is so distinct and so meritorious that we are proud to offer it to tomato lovers of America and the world. We earnestly hope everyone who receives our catalogue will plant this grand new sort in 1915."

Here's another pic. What foliage issue do I have? TIA