Rutgers is also one of my favorites. Mine are also pretty small this year, which I attributed to the heat. I'll keep growing them because you can't beat the taste.

John A

Have you actually weighed any of them? And which of the 6 or 8 strains are you growing?

Many of them look bigger than a ping pong ball or a big cherry to me. Not sure who said to expect 8 oz. on them - Baker Creek? - as they normally fall into the 6 oz. range for me with only a few fruit that is larger.

Heirloom Organics Seeds claims 12-14 oz. for them which is way out of line. So there is a wide range of "claimed" size. But while I don't think there are any accurate claims that they would fall into the beefsteak size, only the mid-range, I sure wouldn't call them "pathetic".

But then size isn't the most important characteristic for me either. Flavor and amount of production are. And Rutgers Original, Rutgers Select, Rutgers Improved, and Rutgers VF all meet those needs for me.

Sorry to hear you are disappointed but do please keep in mind that many other variables also contribute to fruit size off any plant.

Dave

I just weighed several of them and the biggest (heaviest) was only 1.65 ounces. The seed packet was labeled Rutgers VF.

I did a quick check of several seed sites and most say they should be in the 6 to 8 ounce range, so since I can't even manage to get one at least 2 ounces, my reference to pathetic was directed to size. Despite their size, they are fairly productive and taste is acceptable.

I suspect I'm going to have to find the "right" seeds to properly experience this variety as there seem to be so many variations.

I am also disappointed yet for another reason other than fruit size: PRODUCTION.

I planted out late April ( over 100 days ago) and have just a few small green tomatoes on it. I remember growing it ~ 6 years ago. It was fine then.

So there goes Rutgers into my ZAP list.

Sey

I think Rutgers University is trying to revive the original or close to it. Check out the link, they said it could take a few years after testing in 2013. I have been keeping an eye out for this.http://www.njfarmfresh.rutgers.edu/documents/WhatsinSeason8-27-12.pdf I have never grew Rutgers, but did have the Ramapo which was from Rutgers university (awesome tomato plant) agriculture dept. This year I grew Jersey boy, which is a cross of Rutgers and Brandywine, and is great and extremely productive. But as soon as they get closer to the original seed I will get it from Rutgers U.

If I got my seed from Burpee's, what variety would they be?

John A

Nitsua...Like you, i was disappointed with their size so I have been freezing them for cooking.

<I just weighed several of them and the biggest (heaviest) was only 1.65 ounces.>

Yeah that would definitely be pathetic I agree with you Nitsua.

I'm still using some from a 2004 packet and a 2007 packet as well as my own saved seed so haven't bought any new for several years. Mine are performing normally - red, round, smooth, and averaging 6 oz. with good production. But all these reports makes me wonder if there isn't some big wad of mis-labeled seed "called" Rutgers making the rounds of some of the seed suppliers? Especially since so many of them have gone to buying from only one big grower overseas.

Dave

I grew only 2 varieties this year -- Rutgers and Krim. Rutgers was less robust than Krim (the plant itself seemed to drop its blooms often and leaf structure was not ideal... sort of thin really). Production was okay. The early tomatoes were a nice size but got smaller as the season went on (vs. BK which seemed to consistently produce large fruit). I've actually pulled the plant already to make room for my fall crops. It had a few fruits developing but not enough for me to warrant keeping it in my small garden.