Taming a JetStar?

[J Peazy]

I have a JetStar in my very small tomato patch. I read that it would be short and compact and would need little or no staking...so I didn't stake it.

It is now growing across all available ground space like a carpet. The short part seems correct, compact - not so much.

Is it too late to train it? What should I do?

Thanks in advance.

[organichris]

I knew a guy in Kansas who grew Jet Star exclusively, and he had a whole bunch of plants. I doubt there was a one under 5 feet tall.

Sounds like you're sprawling it. That sucka's gonna be huge!

[barkeater]

I used to grow about 2000-3000 Jet Stars a year when I was farming. With rows 6 feet apart and 2 feet apart in the row I barely had room to step going down the row come picking time!

[attml]

Went to Tatian's Tomatobase to see if I could find more information on JetStar and it wasn't listed. I believe that is a first for me? Does it go by any other names? Thanks!

[feldon30]

Compared to monsters like Cherokee Purple and Sungold which reach 8-10 feet, yes Jet Star's 5 foot tall plants are quite compact.

[tomakers]

Originally Posted by J Peazy

I have a JetStar in my very small tomato patch. I read that it would be short and compact and would need little or no staking...so I didn't stake it.

It is now growing across all available ground space like a carpet. The short part seems correct, compact - not so much.

Is it too late to train it? What should I do?

Thanks in advance.

I've grown Jet Star for probably 35 years. It is seldom more than 5'. That IS compact compared to many. Little or no staking??? That is an opinion. It's not MY opinion. Mine are always caged.
JMO,
Tom

[tomakers]

Originally Posted by attml

Went to Tatian's Tomatobase to see if I could find more information on JetStar and it wasn't listed. I believe that is a first for me? Does it go by any other names? Thanks!

I don't think she lists hybrids. It's an OLD hybrid, but it's still a hybrid.
JMO,
Tom

[J Peazy]

Originally Posted by feldon30

Compared to monsters like Cherokee Purple and Sungold which reach 8-10 feet, yes Jet Star's 5 foot tall plants are quite compact.

I suppose it's a perception issue. It is dominating my little "just left of the porch" tomato patch.

Not at all a bad thing I suppose. It is bearing fruit and we have had temperatures above ninety for over two weeks. Not to mention, it will be the first in my "garden" to do so.

I'm a sentimental fool. I had planted everything I wanted this year and found the Jet Star seedling in the garden center at a large department store. The soil was bone-dry and it was set away from all of the other tomatoes (probably by a customer), but it was bright green and healthy despite.

I'm certainly no expert...but this tomato impresses the heck out of me.

[barkeater]

Jet Star is not that old, unless you think 42 is old . It was released in 1969.

[tomakers]

Originally Posted by barkeater

Jet Star is not that old, unless you think 42 is old . It was released in 1969.

I think it's old for a hybrid tomato.
My first hybrid was released by my wife in 1968.