Hi Ron, Red Mortrgage Lifter VFN does very well under hot conditions and is a beefsteak that has weighed in at 2 1/2 puonds. Another is Magnum Beefsteak VFN. Surprisingly, almost any of the Siberian types do well in zone 9. Check out my web site http://www.heirloomtomatoes.net and make note of the hot weather specialty types. Good gardening, Chuck Wyatt www.heirloomtomatoes.net