Most Prolific Black Tomato

bower · April 13, 2015

I love blacks. This year I have two new to me, both of them are reported to be great producers: Ukrainie Purple (aka Purple Russian) and the paste Snickers (thank you Marina!) which Red Baron has also said is a great producer for him and makes fine sauce. We have such a short season, we are bound to freeze or sauce some of our tomatoes for winter so it's well worth it to try for a productive paste.

I'm glad to see Farmer Shawn is growing Purple Russian in Vermont. As Stacy pointed out, it's all about the zone when you get further north, great southern varieties may not fly.

One of my friends is trialing Gary'O Sena for us this year... new to the zone.

I'm growing Indian Stripe again, and I have seven F2 seedlings of a cross between Black Early and Indian Stripe, looking for that great taste in an earlier fruit. I will try to backcross the earliest Beist F2 with the parent Indian Stripe, in case the taste genetics need some reinforcement. IS is early enough for us at least in a good season, but it's worthwhile for us to try to build something that can deliver when we have a bad season (like that never happens!

)
My other blacks this year arel 'hoped for' from motley crosses involving Black Cherry, Indian Stripe and/or Black Early.

Mostly cherries or little ones.

April 13, 2015	#11
bower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 6,794	I love blacks. This year I have two new to me, both of them are reported to be great producers: Ukrainie Purple (aka Purple Russian) and the paste Snickers (thank you Marina!) which Red Baron has also said is a great producer for him and makes fine sauce. We have such a short season, we are bound to freeze or sauce some of our tomatoes for winter so it's well worth it to try for a productive paste. I'm glad to see Farmer Shawn is growing Purple Russian in Vermont. As Stacy pointed out, it's all about the zone when you get further north, great southern varieties may not fly. One of my friends is trialing Gary'O Sena for us this year... new to the zone. I'm growing Indian Stripe again, and I have seven F2 seedlings of a cross between Black Early and Indian Stripe, looking for that great taste in an earlier fruit. I will try to backcross the earliest Beist F2 with the parent Indian Stripe, in case the taste genetics need some reinforcement. IS is early enough for us at least in a good season, but it's worthwhile for us to try to build something that can deliver when we have a bad season (like that never happens! ) My other blacks this year arel 'hoped for' from motley crosses involving Black Cherry, Indian Stripe and/or Black Early. Mostly cherries or little ones.