PNW 2023 possible list need advice

[strawbaleking]

Hi All,

This is my second year in the PNW Western Washington in Olympia.

I am hoping for a critique and reduction of my 2023 list by TV members that grow in the PNW or similar climate with cooler temps and even cooler nights.
They will be grown in large grow bags under a small high tunnel.

I have to narrow down the list to under 14... tops

Indian Stripe
Earl Faux
Spudakee
Eva Purple Ball
Azoychka
Dana Dusky Rose
Rebel Yell
JD C-Tex
Terhune
Bear Creek
Aunt Ginnie's Purple
Big Cheef
Paul Robeson
Vorlon

Pervaya Lyubov
Barlow Jap
Black Bear
St. Pierre
Linda Faux
Pale Perfect Purple
Seek no further love apple
Noire de Crimee


Caspian Pink
Nepal
Aunt Ginny's Purple
Druzba
Brandywine, Red (Landis Valley)
Rose
Bloody Butcher
Matina
Goose Creek
Beauty
Schwarze Sarah
Beliy Naliv
Paul Robeson
Stump O' The World

Thanks for all for taking the time to help.
Gary

[KarenO]

Have you grown any or all of those already?
KarenO

[Labradors2]

When I grew Dana's Dusky Rose and Pale Perfect Purple, I thought they tasted very similar. PPP was very productive.

I cannot grow Brandywine in the north because it is so late that it tends to crack and then rot before ripening.

Linda

[strawbaleking]

Linda, was Eva or PPP mid/late for you?

[strawbaleking]

I have grown some in the first group that did well in warm sunny California... like Eva Ste Wendell, Terhune, Earl Faux, Danas, Bear Creek, and Rebel Yell.

This season I planted many not on this list and almost all those tasted poor and had poor texture. But many of those were "recommended" hybrids from the nursery. And again were grown under a hoop house plastic all season in large grow bags.

I did plant this year Terhune and Spudakee both were pretty good taste and texture. Vorlon had good texture, very productive, but bland. Same for Prudens Purple.
Last year I had Eva Purple Ball and Eva Ste Wendell and both good but were super late. Last year had Earl Faux was good but always pretty catfaced.
I didn't have problems really with plant health, productivity, or vigor (in fact Spudakee mid season broke itself under the weight) it was taste and texture. Esp texture. I did give potassium and only watered when necessary. So strong tasting with good texture I need, I can't taste mild and hate mealy. This list was compiled trying to find those attributes from people growing in cooler areas.

[Patihum]

How big are your grow bags and what kind of support system are you planning on? Are you planning on doing a lot of pruning?

[rxkeith]

from your list, i have grown matina, jds, azoychka, and pervaya lyubov a number
of times. matina, and pervaya lyubov are main stays in my garden. i have also
grown paul robeson.

matina, and bloody butcher are similar size, so maybe choose one over the other.
matina is early, productive, and good tasting, and i like it a lot.
jds did much better over all than paul robeson.






keith

[strawbaleking]

Hey Keith.

How is the skin on Matina?

So JDs was earlier and better than Paul Robeson?

I forgot I did Azoychka last year and I liked it but it stopped during the so called heat here. Well in a tunnel even though I have open ends and a large fan, it's quite comfy warm. I sit in it every day.

I was born in Flint left when 6. All I remember is snow...

[rxkeith]

i don't remember the skin being an issue with matina, just a regular thin skin tomato.
jds was more productive than paul robeson. i would have to grow the latter a few more times to give a more fair comparison. earlier, i am not sure of, but possibly.


flint has nothing on snow compared to calumet. you have to see lake effect in action to appreciate the scale of it.






keith

[strawbaleking]

Patihum,

I have been growing for the last 5 years in 10 gal grow bags, 3 in Calif and 2 seasons here. The high tunnel is cattle fencing 4 panels arched and I use storm window plastic to get the highest light pass thru.
I use parachute cord and a clip tied to top of tunnel and at bottom stem and wrap thru season. I do a lot of pruning to single stem to keep disease down and more light. It also allows me to get them closer to I can have more varieties at the expense of less output per plant. I use electric toothbrush to pollinate.

[Labradors2]

Strawbaleking I don't remember now, but Pale Perfect Purple is supposed to be early and Eva is supposed to be mid-season.

You might be interested in Bulgarian Triumph as it is fairly compact (does fine in a nasty round cage) in my garden so I think it would be good in a container. It's a red saladette with excellent taste and I grow it instead of the two listed above. Unfortuantely, it's mid-season though, not early.....

Oh I just re-read your post, and I think a ten-gallon grow bag would be overkill for BT!


Linda

[strawbaleking]

Linda,

I get alot of different maturities on Pale Perfect Purple listed and from users, I guess it's more sensitive to temp/sun units. I have grown both Eva's and both I really love taste and texture but man were way late here. So having something similar but earlier would be great.
That's the only thing about containers is the watering or not watering, so any variety sensitive to BER I shy away from. I was on drip in Cali but still had problems in Cali due to the heat with a few types of hearts but especially Whopper hybrid. I may go to livestock troughs for pots next year.
Thanks for your help!
Gary

[habitat_gardener]

It's been a while since I grew Rose, but I remember its distinctive flavor (more sweet than tart)! I grew it in the Bay Area, with days in the 70s-80s and nights in the 60s.

If you're looking for strong flavor, have you tried Purple Calabash? It's a love or hate variety. The people who love it describe the taste as winey. Haters spit it out.

[strawbaleking]

Hey, Habitat.
Was Rose juicy or solid? I guess looking for juicy. I think part of flavor comes from the gel.
Purple Calabash, yes I tried it. Once....

Gary

[Tormato]

Texture sensitive? Does that mean, like Goldilocks, tomatoes can be too soft or too firm?