Best General Purpose Tomato Variety

[muckdiva]

If you could only grow one standard size red tomato, which one would it be, and why?

[kernowyon]

blight has got mine for the last two years, have not had a single tomato from them so wouldn't have a clue, will be watching this thread to find out if any of the 10 varieties i am attempting this year will be amongst the favourites.

[smallblueplanet]

Matina - tasty and prolific.

[shirlthegirl43]

Madmax says Shirley is the tastiest I have grown so far. I try a couple of new ones each year but he insists we have to have a Shirley plant so he knows there will be some tomatoes he really enjoys.

[greg77]

hi,as a rank amateur i asked earlier about these new grafted toms,didnt lose as badly last year as kernowyon,but didnt get any toms above second truss.gonna try the grafted ones,although theyre very expensive,but will still grow from seed as well. pampered them like babies last year,any ideas on why i got little above second truss.

[Cutecumber]

I don't seem to have much success with standard (medium size) cordon tomatoes - it is a continuing irritation to me.

I've tried Moneymaker, Shirley, Cristal, Ferline, Tigerella and some others which I can't remember at the moment - and I haven't fallen in love. They have all cropped for me, but I felt they were nothing special. I know others who are very fond of some of these, so you can see how subjective it is!

This year I am attempting Vanessa and Ailsa Craig, so we'll see what happens.

[Madasafish]

Sungold. Small sweet and very prolific.

[Flummery]

Oh I love sungold too - but I wouldn't call it standard size. I think I might go for tigerella. I do like the mix of sweetness and sharpness. This year I'm trying the HSL Tiger Tom too.

[sewer rat]

If I had to choose one standard red variety, it would have to be Ailsa Craig based on taste alone. However, I also have a load of others that I am partial to - Black Cherry (so juicy it actually explodes in your mouth) Golden Sunrise - yellow standard and my personal favourite (slightly more acid than other varieties but that's what I like) Sungold (see all comments on previous threads) and I could go on and on and on but I better not or it'll take you ages to finish this post.

[Flummery]

Just sowed some Golden Sunrise Rat. Never tried them before but I look forward to them on your recommendation.

[rustylady]

Don't bother with standard size tomatoes any more. They have no taste. I much prefer the small cherry types - not many of them make it from the greenhouse to the kitchen, they get eaten on the way.

[bramble]

Ferline is quite nice and does have the reputation od being almost blight resistant. Legand are also good as are Ailsa Craig and Shirley. There are so many good flavoured toms but in the end is up to the individusl. Good luck whatever you decide.

[pigletwillie]

I swear by Shirley, good yield, good taste and easy to look after with no greenback or splitting.

[Snadger]

I swear by Shirley, good yield, good taste and easy to look after with no greenback or splitting.

I'll agree with that..........one of the few F1's I grow!

[shirlthegirl43]

I swear by Shirley, good yield, good taste and easy to look after with no greenback or splitting.

I'll agree with that..........one of the few F1's I grow!

Thanks guys, glad to hear I am popular and that my back is not green and I don't split!!