This African Queen is gonna be huge

ContainerTed · July 24, 2011

I've been watching a few extra large toms for the past couple of weeks. Went down today to check for split skins on some and found this African Queen still holding together. Please note that the one to the left of the big one will easily exceed a pound. Can't wait to see how this one turns out. It may be my biggest one ever.

Enjoy

cleo88 · July 24, 2011

Have you grown African Queen in previous seasons? If so, how does it taste?

I only know of this variety because Amy Goldman goes on in dramatic prose about its excellence in her book. Always wondered how it tastes to us mere mortals.

ContainerTed · July 24, 2011

Last year, it was among my top 5 for taste, size, and production. I've never read Goldman. I only can encourage you to try it.

kygreg · July 25, 2011

Did your African Queen have blooms and set fruit in a "normal" amount of time. My plant has yet to set a fruit while other varieties all around it have set fruit and some have even had ripe fruit.

Heritage · July 25, 2011

I had poor fruit set this year on African Queen. The two prior years were good to the Queen and she produced well. Since she is in my top 5 flavorful red/pink beefsteaks I hope she doesn't turn out to be finicky.

**carolyn137** · July 25, 2011

http://t.tatianastomatobase.com:88/wiki/African_Queen

Just pointing out that it's an heirloom from NC and not from Africa, as I read Tania's page for it. But who knows. I don't remember knowing any other large fruited PL varieties that originated in Africa. Many smaller usually red fruited ones that were the result of tomatoes reaching Africa via other means, and varieties being brought to Africa by the English and others, but not originating in Africa itself.

I haven't read Amy's description of this variety, so can't speak to that if indeed she says something more specific.

ContainerTed · August 4, 2011

Here's the ripe fruit. It's my largest tomato in the last four years - 1 3/4 lbs.

July 24, 2011	#3
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Last year, it was among my top 5 for taste, size, and production. I've never read Goldman. I only can encourage you to try it. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

July 25, 2011	#6
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	http://t.tatianastomatobase.com:88/wiki/African_Queen Just pointing out that it's an heirloom from NC and not from Africa, as I read Tania's page for it. But who knows. I don't remember knowing any other large fruited PL varieties that originated in Africa. Many smaller usually red fruited ones that were the result of tomatoes reaching Africa via other means, and varieties being brought to Africa by the English and others, but not originating in Africa itself. I haven't read Amy's description of this variety, so can't speak to that if indeed she says something more specific. __________________ Carolyn

July 24, 2011	#2
cleo88 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sharon, MA Zone 6 Posts: 225	Have you grown African Queen in previous seasons? If so, how does it taste? I only know of this variety because Amy Goldman goes on in dramatic prose about its excellence in her book. Always wondered how it tastes to us mere mortals.

July 25, 2011	#4
kygreg Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 1,019	Did your African Queen have blooms and set fruit in a "normal" amount of time. My plant has yet to set a fruit while other varieties all around it have set fruit and some have even had ripe fruit.

July 25, 2011	#5
Heritage Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,255	I had poor fruit set this year on African Queen. The two prior years were good to the Queen and she produced well. Since she is in my top 5 flavorful red/pink beefsteaks I hope she doesn't turn out to be finicky.