Kitchen Garden Forum

I'm growing loads of saved seeds this year from some tomatoes that Tim brought me back from Italy.

They are beefsteak with a green top and heavily ridged. They're really common in Italy and France but I've never found any seeds here; not even from Seeds of Italy.

I'd like to know what they're called, but more importantly if they are cordon or bush tomatoes. My instincts go with cordon as the weight of a load of beefsteak tomatoes could be overwhelming, but I'd hate to pinch them out and waste the possible harvest.

Any ideas anyone?

Well, if the fruit looks anything like this...


... then they would be Pantano (there are 2 Alicante at the front, to give an idea of size). Although these ones look quite red, most of the fruit was perfectly edible when quite green. Made smashing salads.

I bought a packet of these seeds whilst over in Italy.


Colin

Sorry, no. I grew Pantono last year and these are very different and much greener on top. I had Pantono and the unknown ones side by side in my kitchen and you could easily tell them apart.

Thanks anyway.

Dear Chantal, i'm quite surprised Tim couldn't tell you it's name, and also give you all the cultural details.

He's horticulturally challenged as I think I have mentioned before.

I gave him instructions to bring me back some green backed, ridged tomatoes and he did. He went to a supermarket and found some. Job done.

I must say that whatever they are the seeds are incredibly good. I had 100% germination.

Could it be Marmande http://www.fermedesaintemarthe.com/serv ... p#fiche825

Blimey that was a challenge for a non-French speaker (despite my name) but no, that doesn't look like them either.

Thanks anyway.

have you got a picture chantal?

how about this french org but english site
http://www.kokopelli.asso.fr/boutic/index-en.html

I get tomato seeds from Plants of Distinction and they've got a few greenbacked ones.

Ananas Noir look like a possibility.


http://www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk/

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Granny