Ten Tomatoes Worthy of A Texas Tomato Cage - Page 2

roper2008 · February 19, 2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenthumbomaha

Not to 10 just yet so keep 'em coming!

I love the bi-color flavor. Lucky Cross is one of my absolute favorites.
Somehow I missed discussions of Big Rainbow. If per chance it comes in the MMMM envelope, its going to go in one.

Brandywine OTV, PP, George D., NAR, all great choices.

I'm surprised Big Beef is on the list. I don't remember it being exceptionally tall. Ball Seed lists it at 4 feet. Same with Chapman, excellent taste but one that is shorter in stature for me.

I haven't purchased the cages but looking at prices I will be buying 6 and then an additional 3 after inspection. So I only need a few more!

- Lisa

Oh yes the wind, in my tornado and hail/ high wind area tposts are a must. Thanks for the heads up.

I bought 6 texas tomato cages last year. They worked great. None of my tomato plants
leaned over. We don't have tornado's or high winds here though.

edweather · February 18, 2018

Big Beef topped my 5 foot cages last year. Oh now I see, we're looking for an 8 foot plant. Well, they're great tomatoes anyway. Can't go wrong with 'em.

Father'sDaughter · February 18, 2018

If you enjoy bi-colors, try Virginia Sweets. It's listed as late, but the last time I grew it I picked the first fruit in late July.

simmran1 · February 18, 2018

As mentioned, Big Beef would be a waste of a Texas cage, as mine only get 4½'. Any Brandywine, Hazelfield Farm, Mark Twain, Strawberry Margarita, WV Sweet Meat, Rebel Yell grew nearly six feet tall for me in '17

rhines81 · February 18, 2018

I am watching this thread. This year I am (was) limited to 10 tomato spots until I get my pepper list under control. So far I have 4 spots reserved for Paul Robeson and 1 for Supersweet 100. Looking for the other 5 spots to fill and I have lots of different seed varieties (I was thinking 2 Romas, 1 Omar's Lebanese, 1 Arkansas Traveler and the other one for a random variety. But as I had already explained to Lisa in a PM, I am taking advantage of another offer from a friend which doubles my space - so now I will be able to grow much, much more!

greenthumbomaha · February 18, 2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhines81

I am watching this thread. This year I am (was) limited to 10 tomato spots until I get my pepper list under control. So far I have 4 spots reserved for Paul Robeson and 1 for Supersweet 100. Looking for the other 5 spots to fill and I have lots of different seed varieties (I was thinking 2 Romas, 1 Omar's Lebanese, 1 Arkansas Traveler and the other one for a random variety. But as I had already explained to Lisa in a PM, I am taking advantage of another offer from a friend which doubles my space - so now I will be able to grow much, much more!

Yes . I would describe planning your newly acquired extra garden space akin to wild abandon

Keeping PR in your home bed is still worth considering as blacks tend to split readily and keeping a close eye on them is key to a blemish free harvest.

- Lisa

rhines81 · February 18, 2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmran1

Brandywine

Dang it. Yes I always grow a couple of Pink Brandywine.

My Foot Smells · February 18, 2018

Sweet million will jump out of the top with ease.

VC Scott · February 18, 2018

I had three varieties reach the top of my Texas Tomato Cages last year. German Johnson, Joe's Pink Oxheart and Pink Ping Pong. Only one of those fits your criteria of beefsteak varieties. If you can find some seed for Joe's Pink Oxheart, you ought to give it a try. Tremendously vigorous and great flavor.

Goodloe · February 18, 2018

I grow 3 main hybrids every year: Early Girl, Big Beef, and Park's Whopper. They all top out at over 7'....

SQWIBB · February 19, 2018

Have grown with great results
Mortgage Lifter
Brandywine Red
Cherokee purple

Trying this year
True Black Brandywine Red.

The first time I grew the ML, BR and CP, I tried vertical support with nylon string, the string broke from the weight of the plants and I just let them grow where they wanted to.

clkeiper · February 19, 2018

I would leave the big beef on the list just because of the weight all the tomatoes the plant make.it needs a really sturdy cage. it isn't an exceptionally tall plant but it yields a lot of large tomatoes. I normally get 16 tomatoes to a peck basket.

My Foot Smells · February 19, 2018

yes to t-post in the land of oz, and I use zip ties x2 to secure - makes setup a breeze.

I didn't see what "size" you got - the 20" or 24". I got the 24" and initially the cage can be a bit overwhelming for young transplants. I have been toying with cone insertion inside the TTC to add stability during the early stages, as you allude, the torrents of spring can be tornadic and dramatic.

some years my plants jump the top and I add extension - as needed - I have like 30 cages and only 8 extensions. the sweet million or SS100 growns like a bean stalk.

other specimens (zone 8a):

1) Brandy Boy. Usually gets about 8' by the solstice, but also grows wide. The cage is nice to tie off to with big branches and heavy fruit.

2) Cherokee Purple. Usually gets about 7.5" by the solstice (a tad less than BB).

3) Supersteak Hybrid. I am not growing this year, but is a prolific grower 8+ and puts off monster 2lb perfect softball toms.

4) Many others seem to get in that range. Not a fan of Big Beef or Better Boy. Both due well here but are generic to this area. Everyone and their momma grows those and not best in taste to me. Figure most grow b/c of the widespread disease and those hold up better than others.

IMO, it changes season to season and soil condition. If heavy fert. - I guess most can get large. Probably depends on the zone and weather to large degree too.

I personally like the TTC, easy setup, easy storage (or just leave outside) and not a rusty mess. The t-post will be enuff of an anchor, so don't feel inclined to stab the TTC all the way down - just enuff to "grab" some dirt.

Then again, I'm no expert. I look forward to your experiment this year and congrats on the TTC. I think you will like them and they will last. The real joy comes when everything is in full swing and you can trim back to avoid a convoluted mess.

peebee · February 19, 2018

I love my Texas cages--they don't rust AND they fold for easy storage. After years of struggling to roll up my numerous rusted concrete reinforcement cages, I just wish I knew about them when I first started out. They'll last forever so I could've gotten more use out of them!

How about KBX or Kelloggs Breakfast?

JosephineRose · February 19, 2018

If you don't mind a hybrid Roma style paste, I would recommend Granadero F1 from Johnny's selected seeds.

Tops out my 8' bamboo stakes every year, produces into the fall with a great flavor for saucing, if you are so inclined.

This is the only hybrid and Roma I ever grow, and it never lets me down. Eight seasons strong now.

February 18, 2018	#2
edweather Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Southeast GA, USDA 9a, HZ9, Sunset Z28 Posts: 396	Big Beef topped my 5 foot cages last year. Oh now I see, we're looking for an 8 foot plant. Well, they're great tomatoes anyway. Can't go wrong with 'em. __________________ You'll be surprised what you'll never have to do, if you put it off long enough. Last edited by edweather; February 18, 2018 at 06:05 PM.

February 18, 2018	#4
simmran1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Iowa Zone 5 Posts: 305	As mentioned, Big Beef would be a waste of a Texas cage, as mine only get 4½'. Any Brandywine, Hazelfield Farm, Mark Twain, Strawberry Margarita, WV Sweet Meat, Rebel Yell grew nearly six feet tall for me in '17 __________________ Tomatovillain

February 19, 2018	#12
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	I would leave the big beef on the list just because of the weight all the tomatoes the plant make.it needs a really sturdy cage. it isn't an exceptionally tall plant but it yields a lot of large tomatoes. I normally get 16 tomatoes to a peck basket. __________________ carolyn k

February 18, 2018	#3
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,917	If you enjoy bi-colors, try Virginia Sweets. It's listed as late, but the last time I grew it I picked the first fruit in late July.

February 18, 2018	#5
rhines81 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Zone 5A, Poconos Posts: 959	I am watching this thread. This year I am (was) limited to 10 tomato spots until I get my pepper list under control. So far I have 4 spots reserved for Paul Robeson and 1 for Supersweet 100. Looking for the other 5 spots to fill and I have lots of different seed varieties (I was thinking 2 Romas, 1 Omar's Lebanese, 1 Arkansas Traveler and the other one for a random variety. But as I had already explained to Lisa in a PM, I am taking advantage of another offer from a friend which doubles my space - so now I will be able to grow much, much more!

February 18, 2018	#8
My Foot Smells Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Pulaski County, Arkansas Posts: 1,239	Sweet million will jump out of the top with ease.

February 18, 2018	#9
VC Scott Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Marcos, CA Posts: 352	I had three varieties reach the top of my Texas Tomato Cages last year. German Johnson, Joe's Pink Oxheart and Pink Ping Pong. Only one of those fits your criteria of beefsteak varieties. If you can find some seed for Joe's Pink Oxheart, you ought to give it a try. Tremendously vigorous and great flavor.

February 18, 2018	#10
Goodloe Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Steens, MS 8a Posts: 410	I grow 3 main hybrids every year: Early Girl, Big Beef, and Park's Whopper. They all top out at over 7'....

February 19, 2018	#11
SQWIBB Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Philly 7A Posts: 739	Have grown with great results Mortgage Lifter Brandywine Red Cherokee purple Trying this year True Black Brandywine Red. The first time I grew the ML, BR and CP, I tried vertical support with nylon string, the string broke from the weight of the plants and I just let them grow where they wanted to.

February 19, 2018	#14
peebee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,714	I love my Texas cages--they don't rust AND they fold for easy storage. After years of struggling to roll up my numerous rusted concrete reinforcement cages, I just wish I knew about them when I first started out. They'll last forever so I could've gotten more use out of them! How about KBX or Kelloggs Breakfast?

February 19, 2018	#15
JosephineRose Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: California Posts: 383	If you don't mind a hybrid Roma style paste, I would recommend Granadero F1 from Johnny's selected seeds. Tops out my 8' bamboo stakes every year, produces into the fall with a great flavor for saucing, if you are so inclined. This is the only hybrid and Roma I ever grow, and it never lets me down. Eight seasons strong now.