Disappointing varities

[Nik]

Anyone tried a new variety this year that they are now regretting?

My most disappointing varieties have been Duke of York early potatoes - they are plentiful but just go straight from uncooked to mush in the pan and are pretty bland - and deep purple spring onions - tasteless and pointless!

[VirginVegGrower]

Chard...grows really well but tastes blurrggh! Giving it to the hens!

[vicky]

I'll second the Duke of York potatoes! Really yuk for a new potato and skins so scabby they have to be peeled! NB They are ok (just) for mash!

[arpoet]

I grew 5 tubers of red duke of york in a container in the cold greenhouse... The top growth was very good, but they just kept on growing until they leaned over and snapped. I only managed to pick a kilo of small tatties.. very clean and a great red colour. Not tried em yet but wont hold my breath.
Roger

[Fairweather friend]

I've tried a Folia F1 tomato but I every tomato barring about 4 on 3 plants has got blossom end rot or the flowers did not set. I haven't treat them any differently to the Gardener's delight, Alisa Craig or Roma tomatoes and these are dong great. I thought F1 seeds were selected for superiorty or am I wrong about this? Oh well mamybe the few I do manage to eat will taste amazing!!

[Rhona]

Cuore di Bue tomatoes. 'Tis my first year of growing them, and likely to be my last. Growing four other varieties that are doing well, but rather regretting the space in the greenhouse the CdB are currently wasting!

[Aberdeenplotter]

Anyone tried a new variety this year that they are now regretting?

My most disappointing varieties have been Duke of York early potatoes - they are plentiful but just go straight from uncooked to mush in the pan and are pretty bland - and deep purple spring onions - tasteless and pointless!

Bung yer Duke of yours into water which is already boiling and you should be ok. I defy anyone to say Dukes are bland. they are one of the tastiest earlies.

[Snadger]

Bung yer Duke of yors into water which is already boiling and you should be ok. I defy anyone to say Dukes are bland. they are one of the tastiest earlies.

Yep I agree there Aberdeenplotter. They are the only first early that I grow EVERY year. Always grow well for me, no scab,plenty of taste, don't fall apart in pan. (In fact I'm quite partial to them cooked,allowed to cool and dipped in mint yogurt!)
Certain potatoes do well or not so well depending on your soil/area methinks ie Jersey Royals in Jersey etc. Duke of York & Kestrel are my mainstays.

[binley100]

If my purple spring onions actually ever amount to anything other than grasslike I'll let you know.......

[King Carrot]

I've tried a Folia F1 tomato but I every tomato barring about 4 on 3 plants has got blossom end rot or the flowers did not set. I haven't treat them any differently to the Gardener's delight, Alisa Craig or Roma tomatoes and these are dong great. I thought F1 seeds were selected for superiorty or am I wrong about this? Oh well mamybe the few I do manage to eat will taste amazing!!

F1's are generally selected for colour uniformity, vigor, disease resistance and a good shelf life- they are generally thick skinned as well to prevent splitting in transit/on the shelf. They are seldom selected for flavor though Sungold (see below) is one exception.

F1’s I’ve grown myself have generally tasted good although I’m totally into growing better tasting and “more interesting” open pollinated varieties these days, Saying that, this season I’m growing Sungold F1 (and a lot of people here do as well as its superb F1) , so I can compare it with an open pollinated de- hybridized Sungold I'm trying out.

[chris]

All the aubergine varieties

[BroadRipple]

My purple spring onions reached, oh, the size of a corn kernel. Twice. Others didn't even get to there. Were yours Apache? Great name but...

[BroadRipple]

Hi Chris - I agree re: aubergines! Argh, hopeless, even from seed - and I bought one lovely big seedling, grew and grew it...and suddenly it's gone brown and keeled over. Marvellous. Does ANYONE succeed in England with a decent crop, or are we talking one or two max?

[binley100]

I can't remeber the name of them , I don't have any luck with spring onions .........aubergines on the other hand , well Last year were good but they were long purple am trying a different type this year .......wait and see

[BroadRipple]

When you say they were good, HOW good? worth growing if you have limited space good, or save the space and buy 'em?
speaking of which...peppers. Chillis, even. Mine all full of tiny holes (leaves, no flowers even)...anyone else had better luck?
oh and sweet dumpling squash...meh.