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Old December 29, 2010   #5
JackE
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Woodville, Texas
Posts: 520
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There is a LOT of plant science on this.

We have tried every new heat-tolerant hybrid tomato, and only two have really performed well in our extreme Texas heat/humidity - Solar Fire and Solar Set. We are 125 mile NE of Houston, which is said to have a climate similar to Calcutta, India.

Solar Fire has done best for us - a determinate production tomato - a very early, large slicer with good ripening properties, excellent crack resistance, a fair disease package and good taste if ripened on the vine (but not as good as the OP heirlooms these folks grow, of course). Seed is widely available. We buy ours from www.cliftonseed.com. The seed will be pelleted and treated. No nematode resistance - fully vulnerable.

Take a look at Purshade - a calcium sunscreen, okay for organic certified tomato growers - http://www.purshade.com/cropnotes/CN...EP-2010_01.pdfYou can use it on your heirlooms. We will be using it next year for the first time. Main disadvantage is that it leaves a white calcium residue on the tomato (non-toxic, even edible) that must be removed for market (people think it's pesticide). It requires water washing before packing. It only comes in gallons -minumum order is a case of four gallons. It looks and handles similar to white latex paint. There may be a Thailand supplier - I know they market worldwide. I'm not sure if it helps hi-temp fruit-set or not. Our Solar Fire sets fruit in high temp conditions. Our problem is sunscald.

Jack

Last edited by JackE; December 29, 2010 at 10:10 AM.
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