Tomato varieties for Memphis was RE: [tomato] It's your turn
Catharine Vinson (Tomato@GlobalGarden.com)
Sun, 18 Oct 1998 13:00:02 -0400
Linda wrote:
I'm still looking for a flavorful tomato, and next year I'm growing
Brandywine, German Johnson, Risenstraube, and Stupice, all from Southern
Exposure Seed Exchange, which I heard about on this list. Any advice in
advance will be welcome.
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I had superb luck last year with a variety called Black from Tula. It's an OP variety from the former Soviet Union. I grow in the Atlanta area (7b), which has growing conditions similar to Memphis. Black from Tula was a) my most productive variety (out of 75+ varieties), b) in the top 3-5 for flavor, c) produced over the longest period of time, d) exceptionally healthy plant with great leaf coverage to prevent sun scald.
Margaret (Boise, Idaho) gave it a try this season and reported that the performance was mediocre. I have a hunch that this variety is definitely climate sensitive. Many of the so-called Russian tomatoes do well in the Southeast....Black from Tula has done the best for me. The flavor is wonderful and everybody I gave transplants to to trial it last year said it was the star of their garden.
Seed is available from FoxHollow (I think) and Tomato Growers Supply (for certain).
Catharine
p.s. - Risenstraube is WONDERFUL!!