Big Daddy and Dixie Red
 

Big Daddy and Dixie Red are two varieties that I've read about this year, and the Amish near me grew out some Dixie Red seedlings but I never saw any mature and producing plants. I've read that Big Daddy is an improved version of Big-Bigger Boy.

I'd like to get feedback here from those of you who grew them this season. Do I understand correctly that both are determinate and don't get over about 48" tall, and once they start producing, they produce in a flurry and then in about a month it's over and they die back?

And is that the habit of the bush varieties also, such as Bush Goliath, etc?

Thanks in advance.
DS

Hey Don,

I've also been looking at these two for next year. Looks like I've developed a nematode infestation this past year, so I've been looking for resistant varieties.

It appears that only the Dixie Red is nematode resistant, and it is a determinate variety. I was excited about Big Daddy, but as it's not nematode resistant, I'll have to pass.

Here's what I found on both:

[url]https://www.burpee.com/vegetables/tomatoes/tomato-big-daddy-hybrid-prod002743.html[/url]

[url]http://www.tomatogrowers.com/DIXIE-RED-VFFFNA-HYBRID/productinfo/5695/[/url]

Hope this helps,
Jon

Hey again, Don,
I also found this video on youtube. This guy is impressed with Big Daddy, and states that it is a determinate variety. The Burpee website lists it as "indeterminate", so I'm not sure...

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7IHZ365E9w[/url]

Jon

I guess I'd never heard of them since both are F1 Hybrids and I grew/grow few hybrids since I prefer mostly the heirloom kinds with hopefully a great history.

But more and more folks are breeding their own now,both so called amateurs, and well known commercial tomato breeders as well,so that's good as well.And some are using heirloom varieties as part of the parentage also.

Here's a couple of Google links for these varieties,I guess for me since I wanted to learn more,but there may be info there that will answer questions not asked about before.


[url]https://www.google.com/search?q=Dixie+Red+tomato&hl=en&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiPl6mqj8DdAhVMJt8KHTkmBw0Q_AUICSgA&biw=1706&bih=815&dpr=1[/url]

[url]https://www.google.com/search?q=Big+Daddy+tomato&hl=en&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjb6fP5jsDdAhWlTt8KHfFrD04Q_AUICSgA&biw=1706&bih=815&dpr=1[/url]

Carolyn

I was interested them for a short while until I realized both were determinate and only produced a short while. I read many of the articles in Carolyn's links and I don't see any reason to plant them now. Similar existing indeterminates should do much better, especially in my area.

If you are interested in Big Daddy, why don't you contact Burpee's customer service and ask them? I would bet it is Ind since it has been out several years, and if there was that type of error in their description, it likely would have been corrected by now. Did you read the reviews of it? There are 157 reviews shown, with an ave. of 3.8. Steak Sandwich hybrid is another good red that I've grown.

[QUOTE=Greatgardens;715009]If you are interested in Big Daddy, why don't you contact Burpee's customer service and ask them? I would bet it is Ind since it has been out several years, and if there was that type of error in their description, it likely would have been corrected by now. Did you read the reviews of it? There are 157 reviews shown, with an ave. of 3.8. Steak Sandwich hybrid is another good red that I've grown.[/QUOTE]

I'm looking for hybrids that are nematode resistant. I can find NO info on the disease resistance of the Steak Sandwich variety. Any suggestions?

[QUOTE=Goodloe;715014]I'm looking for hybrids that are nematode resistant. I can find NO info on the disease resistance of the Steak Sandwich variety. Any suggestions?[/QUOTE]

Yes,my suggestion is to Google it for an answer.Which I just did and most of the links I brought up were way out of date but most had no references to tolerance,no such thing as resistance) to anything.

This one came the closest by saying watch out for this and that,but nothing to do with nematodes

[url]https://bonnieplants.com/product/steak-sandwich-tomato/[/url]

You garden in MS or Missouri,I can't remember which and there's an issue with nematode breaking strains in the south,and here's that link

[url]https://www.google.com/search?q=Nematode+breaking+mutations&hl=en&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwislsKlssjdAhUEmeAKHSLxD9AQ_AUICSgA&biw=1706&bih=815&dpr=1[/url]

This was also discussed at Tville several times but it was easier for me to Google right now rather than do a search at TV.

Hope this helps,

Carolyn

Burpee does not typically put specific disease information in the descriptions of their products. We don't have a nematode issue in my area, so I don't know. But I really doubt it. The only thing I could suggest is to contact them. They are very good about responding.

I just came across a very long thread already here at Tville about RKN's,aka Root Knot Nematodes.I have no time to read it but I hope you can do it.

[url]http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=46900[/url]

Carolyn

I know what the internet and google says about them. I was interested to see if anyone here had first hand experience and knowledge.