Black/Purple Tomatoes

[veg4681]

I'm planning on sowing few tomato seeds this weekend but undecided on the variety to pick for 'early sowing experiment'. Am I right in thinking that Black tomatoes are generally an 'early tomato' with its origin from around Russia (or is it ?). I asked because I found a list of socalled 'cold climate tomatoes' which appears to be mostly black tomato variety.

It also go on to say that because these cold climate tomatoes can withstand cooler weather, they mature much earlier than other tomato varieties...which means does it defeat the purpose of starting off early .

So am I better off starting off early the jumbo sized beefsteak tomato as the fruits may take longer to grow and ripe?

[momol]

Hi Veg,

I am not sure if all black toms are early type but a lot of them are actually middle early ( less than 80 days) but I can be wrong too, correct me if so.

If you really want to start them early (such as now), they will most possibly ending up with leggy seedling unless you provide them with grow lamps but who know it became sunnier by next week ......Momol.

[SarzWix]

I started off Black Russian early, the year before last, and ended up with very tall plants, and practically no fruit (I think they didn't form the first truss).
Maybe sow one or two for an experiment?

[zazen999]

I've sown 4 and they came up this week; brought them inside yesterday and put them onto the kitchen windowsill; Grushovka ones these are. I'll be putting some purple ukraine and auroras in this week to see what happens. These are all experimental; to see if they do indeed fruit - more will be sown in a few weeks for the main crops. However, with the seasons being complete mayhem at the moment; who knows what is going on??? 13 degrees here yesterday - bonkers!

[veg4681]

I've sown 4 and they came up this week; brought them inside yesterday and put them onto the kitchen windowsill; Grushovka ones these are. I'll be putting some purple ukraine and auroras in this week to see what happens. These are all experimental; to see if they do indeed fruit

Perhaps you'll be alright with Purple Ukraine and Auroras as I recognised them as Real Seeds tomatoes that people often talk highly off. They reckon they have the best early tomatoes, I have Galina as their recommended super early .

[Two_Sheds]

We grew Black Cherry last year .. poor cropper, okay flavour. Its Golden Grapes (yellow) this year

[rustylady]

I grew Black Russian last year. Not impressed, but it was a lousy year for all my tomatoes.

[Flummery]

Grew Black Russian once! I was given a bag of Black Cherry by Jack-next-door. Lovely flavour. Saved some seeds.

[veg4681]

We grew Black Cherry last year .. poor cropper, okay flavour. Its Golden Grapes (yellow) this year

I don't know but I don't think I'm hearing good reviews on Black Berry for performance, poor yield etc although I do like the sound of the taste (described as smoky salty) of this tomato. Just as well I have 3 other cherry tomatoes to fall back on.

[Flummery]

My neighbour grew it - he had better crops than from his usual - gardener's delight.

[valmarg]

I've grown several varieties of 'black' tomatoes, but have not been impressed with crop or taste. Black Russian tended to split and rot. Black Cherry was very mediocre.

Two beefsteak-types I would recommend are Mountain Pride and Ferline.

OH always starts sowing the beefsteak varieties at this time of year, because they take longer to fruit.

Of the 'different coloured' tomatoes, I thin the yellow varieties, particularly the cherry varieties are best croppers and flavoured.

valmarg

[Flummery]

I'm trying Black Krim this year - seeds from a swap with Phreddy here. I'll let you know what I think in August - with a following wind and no blight!

[smallblueplanet]

A really unusual black tom that is very tasty is 'ananas noire', don't expect perfect shaped fruit though!

[veg4681]

I've grown several varieties of 'black' tomatoes, but have not been impressed with crop or taste. Black Russian tended to split and rot. Black Cherry was very mediocre.

OH always starts sowing the beefsteak varieties at this time of year, because they take longer to fruit.

Of the 'different coloured' tomatoes, I think the yellow varieties, particularly the cherry varieties are best croppers and flavoured.
valmarg

Yeah I had thought so too that it makes sense to sow early for the beefsteak varieties but I've tended to consider other bigger sized tomatoes too like Brandywine and Marmade, are these beefsteak ?

Good early, well there are plenty of yellow cherry tomatoes (inclu Sungold) to choose from, mine's a Galina that I'm betting one as a superstar.

[bramble]

I've grown Marmande for several years and have never been disappointed.