Let's talk about Brandywines - Page 12

BigVanVader · February 10, 2015

Man that was an interesting read. I would just add that every tomato regardless of strain or anything else will perform differently pretty much every year (especially here) so you don't really know if you are making a good investment/decision or not until you actually grow it. That is what is so fun about gardening right? Or is it the hours of backbreaking labor and 8 million mosquito bites?

I myself enjoy trying as many new varieties as I can, and people like Camo and many others here sharing seeds makes that possible with very little effort. I have grown a lot of tomatoes that didn't seem any different than similar varieties to me, but I say name it w/e you like, it doesn't affect me in any way b/c I still want to see what happens when I grow it.

I grew "Pink Brandywine" last year and the production was very low (around 5 lbs per plant avg) The taste was just ok to me and TBH I thought my Super Sioux tasted better and they produced about 10x the amount, but I'm still happy I grew PB. I have moved on to try other tomatoes this year, thanks to all of you and I know I will find some that don't meet my expectations and some that exceed them. I may even rename some of the standouts. I mean who wouldn't wanna grow a mater named VADER TIME?

ginger2778 · February 10, 2015

No no no! Bad boy! No renameses!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

Man that was an interesting read. I would just add that every tomato regardless of strain or anything else will perform differently pretty much every year (especially here) so you don't really know if you are making a good investment/decision or not until you actually grow it. That is what is so fun about gardening right? Or is it the hours of backbreaking labor and 8 million mosquito bites?

I myself enjoy trying as many new varieties as I can, and people like Camo and many others here sharing seeds makes that possible with very little effort. I have grown a lot of tomatoes that didn't seem any different than similar varieties to me, but I say name it w/e you like, it doesn't affect me in any way b/c I still want to see what happens when I grow it.

I grew "Pink Brandywine" last year and the production was very low (around 5 lbs per plant avg) The taste was just ok to me and TBH I thought my Super Sioux tasted better and they produced about 10x the amount, but I'm still happy I grew PB. I have moved on to try other tomatoes this year, thanks to all of you and I know I will find some that don't meet my expectations and some that exceed them. I may even rename some of the standouts. I mean who wouldn't wanna grow a mater named VADER TIME?

Sun City Linda · February 10, 2015

BigVanVader - If you like Siux, as I do, you probably lean toward a more acid like or as Carolyn might call it "zippy" taste. Of the BW types out there, thus far I like Stump Of The World the best and find it has a bit more of the taste I prefer. Have you tried it?

BigVanVader · February 10, 2015

I haven't but I have some seedlings growing now so God willing I will try them in a few months. I got seeds from Marsha. I'm trying like 25 new varieties this year so its gonna be a little nuts. I do tend to like a bite of a bite in my tomatoes, I enjoy green when ripes for that reason. Many super sweets I find nasty, but my son and others enjoy them and I like to try them all just in case ☺

AKmark · February 10, 2015

Naming should be standard in a sense. I would think Cowlick's Brandywine could just mean a brandywine that came from Cowlick's, and Brandywine Cowlick's could mean a strain or type of Brandywine from Cowlick's, that is worth noting as different, time tested. Anyway, not the case, but a thought.

Gardeneer · February 11, 2015

I am a new member here. But I have visited this site as a reader in the past.

To me, honestly, any tomato name with "BRANDY" in it is just confusing. Because they are not even related to each other. The latest one is " BRANDY BOY". Congratulations ! where is the cigar? hehe.
What is more that we do not even know this BOY's parents . How come it is not an orphan?. haha
Sincerely,
Gardeneer

crazyoldgooseman · February 11, 2015

I certainly keep my seeds of a the same variety but from different sources apart from one another in case one performs better or has better germination etc.

I am also glad that others such as camochef do the same.

Selection for good traits is a good thing.

I will grow suddiths and cowlicks this year and enjoy them both hopefully.

akaRach · February 13, 2015

Wow interesting thread for sure.

To the OP, I just wanted to say that I try to grow brandywine strains every year, and every year I am so disappointed

I usually get extremely low yields (two or three tomatoes) and poor flavor. I do keep trying tho and this year I will be trying different strain. Again.

LindyAdele · February 13, 2015

akaRach - I am more and more convinced Brandywine must not be for me. I only get to grow a small number of plants, I don't have room for low producers and unreliable quality. What works well in your garden? Do you have a big pink/red you like?

Cole_Robbie · February 13, 2015

As far as heirlooms go, especially pinks, I get better yield out of the heart-shaped varieties. Anna Maria's Heart was a good producer for me last year.

Cosmonaut Volkov also did well. It's Soviet in origin. I think a lot of the old Soviet commercial varieties show a good yield potential. I also look for varieties that are currently being grown by market growers and small farmers around the world.

Sun City Linda · February 13, 2015

Isnt Cosmonaut Volkov Determinate? How big did it get for you? The older I get the more I'm looking for plants that are easier to manage!

LindyAdele · February 13, 2015

It's strange that Brandywine would get such an incredible reputation without actually being an easy to grow tasty variety! The garden centers around here all sell them, but the few farms around here that grow seedlings for the farmers market don't grow Brandywine at all. I thought it might just be because the big box stores were too much competition. I should be paying attention to the growers around me.
This year I think I'll try Anna Russian, it's supposed to be a tasty early heart.

Cole_Robbie · February 13, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sun City Linda

Isnt Cosmonaut Volkov Determinate? How big did it get for you? The older I get the more I'm looking for plants that are easier to manage!

It's indeterminate. It gets big. My plants fell over and sprawled.

Labradors2 · February 13, 2015

I wonder which of the Dwarf Project plants tastes the most like Brandywine?

Linda

akaRach · February 13, 2015

Lindy, that's how I feel too but I just don't want to give up on them!

I have alot of room for experiment tho, so I never feel the time has been wasted in the effort. To this date I have not found a big pink or red that does well for me!

February 11, 2015	#172
crazyoldgooseman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Southern Maryland 7a Posts: 200	I certainly keep my seeds of a the same variety but from different sources apart from one another in case one performs better or has better germination etc. I am also glad that others such as camochef do the same. Selection for good traits is a good thing. I will grow suddiths and cowlicks this year and enjoy them both hopefully. __________________ Anybody see where I sat my beer? -crazyoldgooseman

February 10, 2015	#166
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	Man that was an interesting read. I would just add that every tomato regardless of strain or anything else will perform differently pretty much every year (especially here) so you don't really know if you are making a good investment/decision or not until you actually grow it. That is what is so fun about gardening right? Or is it the hours of backbreaking labor and 8 million mosquito bites? I myself enjoy trying as many new varieties as I can, and people like Camo and many others here sharing seeds makes that possible with very little effort. I have grown a lot of tomatoes that didn't seem any different than similar varieties to me, but I say name it w/e you like, it doesn't affect me in any way b/c I still want to see what happens when I grow it. I grew "Pink Brandywine" last year and the production was very low (around 5 lbs per plant avg) The taste was just ok to me and TBH I thought my Super Sioux tasted better and they produced about 10x the amount, but I'm still happy I grew PB. I have moved on to try other tomatoes this year, thanks to all of you and I know I will find some that don't meet my expectations and some that exceed them. I may even rename some of the standouts. I mean who wouldn't wanna grow a mater named VADER TIME?

February 10, 2015	#168
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	BigVanVader - If you like Siux, as I do, you probably lean toward a more acid like or as Carolyn might call it "zippy" taste. Of the BW types out there, thus far I like Stump Of The World the best and find it has a bit more of the taste I prefer. Have you tried it?

February 10, 2015	#169
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	I haven't but I have some seedlings growing now so God willing I will try them in a few months. I got seeds from Marsha. I'm trying like 25 new varieties this year so its gonna be a little nuts. I do tend to like a bite of a bite in my tomatoes, I enjoy green when ripes for that reason. Many super sweets I find nasty, but my son and others enjoy them and I like to try them all just in case ☺

February 10, 2015	#170
AKmark Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Wasilla Alaska Posts: 2,010	Naming should be standard in a sense. I would think Cowlick's Brandywine could just mean a brandywine that came from Cowlick's, and Brandywine Cowlick's could mean a strain or type of Brandywine from Cowlick's, that is worth noting as different, time tested. Anyway, not the case, but a thought.

February 11, 2015	#171
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,915	I am a new member here. But I have visited this site as a reader in the past. To me, honestly, any tomato name with "BRANDY" in it is just confusing. Because they are not even related to each other. The latest one is " BRANDY BOY". Congratulations ! where is the cigar? hehe. What is more that we do not even know this BOY's parents . How come it is not an orphan?. haha Sincerely, Gardeneer

February 13, 2015	#173
akaRach Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: South Ontario: Plant out date - May long weekend Posts: 32	Wow interesting thread for sure. To the OP, I just wanted to say that I try to grow brandywine strains every year, and every year I am so disappointed I usually get extremely low yields (two or three tomatoes) and poor flavor. I do keep trying tho and this year I will be trying different strain. Again.

February 13, 2015	#174
LindyAdele Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 323	akaRach - I am more and more convinced Brandywine must not be for me. I only get to grow a small number of plants, I don't have room for low producers and unreliable quality. What works well in your garden? Do you have a big pink/red you like?

February 13, 2015	#175
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	As far as heirlooms go, especially pinks, I get better yield out of the heart-shaped varieties. Anna Maria's Heart was a good producer for me last year. Cosmonaut Volkov also did well. It's Soviet in origin. I think a lot of the old Soviet commercial varieties show a good yield potential. I also look for varieties that are currently being grown by market growers and small farmers around the world.

February 13, 2015	#176
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	Isnt Cosmonaut Volkov Determinate? How big did it get for you? The older I get the more I'm looking for plants that are easier to manage!

February 13, 2015	#177
LindyAdele Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 323	It's strange that Brandywine would get such an incredible reputation without actually being an easy to grow tasty variety! The garden centers around here all sell them, but the few farms around here that grow seedlings for the farmers market don't grow Brandywine at all. I thought it might just be because the big box stores were too much competition. I should be paying attention to the growers around me. This year I think I'll try Anna Russian, it's supposed to be a tasty early heart.

February 13, 2015	#179
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,889	I wonder which of the Dwarf Project plants tastes the most like Brandywine? Linda

February 13, 2015	#180
akaRach Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: South Ontario: Plant out date - May long weekend Posts: 32	Lindy, that's how I feel too but I just don't want to give up on them! I have alot of room for experiment tho, so I never feel the time has been wasted in the effort. To this date I have not found a big pink or red that does well for me!