Tomato Trials

[Geoff]

Not sure if I should post this but I think it ends up on the public part of RHS website. I have had an ongoing email correspondence with the RHS about how long it takes for the full trial reports to be published. As a result they have sent me the text of two upcoming reports on Tomatoes and Courgettes as Word documents from 2007 trials. They are interesting for the cultivation methods as well as the results so I have partially copied them here.
The objectives of the trial were to compare and assess a range of cherry and cherry-plum tomato cultivars, grown in the plastic tunnel; to recommend the Award of Garden Merit to outstanding cultivars for garden use and to demonstrate the cultivation of this a crop.
Cultivation:The ground in the tunnel was conditioned using a crop of Caliente Mustard, which has been specially bred to have significant fumigant properties. This crop was sown in mid October, then watered and cut down in spring 2007 before being rotavated in and sealed under black polythene for two weeks. Once in contact with moist soil the chopped plant material breaks down to release biologically active compounds that help to suppress weeds, root rot, nematodes (eelworm) and Veritcillium wilt. Once the covers were removed, the soil was raked in ready for planting.
Seed was sown under glass on 9 April onto pans of peat-free compost, covered with medium vermiculite and watered in with Revive (a product that contains natural soil micro-organisms, which encourage soil fertility and healthy plant growth). The seed was germinated at 20ºC and when large enough to handle, pricked out into 9cm square pots of peat-free potting compost. The seedlings were grown on at 15ºC in a greenhouse where a biological control programme was used to combat aphids, white fly and red spider mite
Six plants of each entry were spaced out in the plastic tunnel on 14 May to await flowering before being planted into the soil on 29 May; 44cm apart in double rows, with 80cm between rows and paths of 120cm wide. A drip irrigation system was installed and, once the first truss started to swell, a regular liquid feed was given through a diluter as necessary. The plants were stopped at 2m / eight or nine trusses.
Judging: The Vegetable Trials Subcommittee inspected the trial at intervals throughout the growing season. They assessed the plants and tasted the fruits on 9 and 29 August for the Award of Garden Merit [AGM]. The Subcommittee considered the following criteria: flavour : skin quality : quantity of pips in fruit : uniformity of fruit
shape : colour : abundance of fruit per plant :
earliness : plant habit
Findings: The Subcommittee inspected the plants in the plastic tunnel, assessing and tasting the fruits. They also studied the cropping records and the results of the brix tests, which analyse and measure the percentage of sugar in a given sample. The flavour of a tomato very much depends upon the balance between sweetness and acidity. The Subcommittee discussed the criteria for a tomato to be categorised as "cherry". While the generally accepted size was 35mm or less in diameter, it was noted that this was quite flexible and may be changed by future EU rulings. It was noted that lower light levels resulting from the wet summer had effected plant growth and the sweetness of the fruit. The plants had been stopped at eight trusses, rather than the usual six, as it was hoped that the weather and light levels would improve in the late summer enabling fruit to ripen for the Autumn Show. The plants did continue to crop well until the 17 October, when the trial was cleared.
Entries receiving The Award of Garden Merit (H2)

'Apero' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by A L Tozer Ltd, Pyports, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EH.
Fruit is shiny, red and slightly oval; average size 3cm diameter, 3.5cm long; average weight of a single fruit 18.7g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 135 ripe fruits, with around 21 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9.5% average sugar content

Good yield of oval fruits on compact trusses. Good flavour.
Available in one retail catalogue.

'Favorita' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from Johnsons Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB.
Fruit is shiny, red and slightly oval; average size 3.2cm diameter, 3.5cm long; average weight of a single fruit 21.2g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 123 ripe fruits, with around 25 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 8.8% average sugar content
High yield of attractive, round/oval fruits. Very sweet flavour.
Available in one retail catalogue.

'Golden Sweet' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from Thompson & Morgan Ltd, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3BU.
Fruit is shiny, yellow and oval; average size 2.5cm diameter, 4cm long; average weight of a single fruit 17.9g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 107 ripe fruits, with around 21 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 10% average sugar content
Good yield of attractive, yellow plum-cherry tomatoes. Good flavour and texture.
Available in two retail catalogues.

'Jasper' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from Mr Fothergill's Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB.
Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3.4cm diameter, 3.2cm long; average weight of a single fruit 21.8g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 106 ripe fruits, with around 27 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9% average sugar content
Good yield of round fruits. Very good flavour.
Widely available.

'Nectar' AGM (H2) 2007, previous award AGM (H3) 1998. Sent by and available from Mr Fothergill's Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB.
Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 16.7g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced 177 ripe fruits, with around 28 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9.1% average sugar content.
Good yield from tidy plants with long trusses. Very good flavour.
Available in three retail catalogues.

'Piccolo' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by Pro-Veg Seeds Ltd, 6 Shingay Lane, Sawston, Cambridge CB2 4SS.
Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 18.2g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 112 ripe fruits, with around 42 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 10.1% average sugar content
Good yield. Small, cocktail sized fruits with very good flavour.
Widely available.

'Rosada' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from Thompson & Morgan Ltd, Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3BU.
Fruit is shiny, red and a long-oval; average size 2.5cm diameter, 4cm long; average weight of a single fruit 15.5g. First picked 8 August. Average plant produced 143 ripe fruits, with around 24 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 10.5% average sugar content.
Good yield of bright red, long plum-cherry tomatoes. Good, sweet flavour.
Available in one catalogue.

'Sakura' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from Johnsons Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB.
Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3.2cm diameter, 3.2cm long; average weight of a single fruit 22.3g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 165 ripe fruits, with around 37 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 8.8% average sugar content
High yield. Very bright fruits carried on long trusses. Very sweet flavour.
Widely available.

'Suncherry Premium' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by A L Tozer Ltd, Pyports, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EH.
Fruit is shiny, red and a slightly-flattened round; average size 3.5cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 20.9g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced 126 ripe fruits, with around 31 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9.2% average sugar content.
High yield. Attractive shiny fruits are uniform in size. Good flavour.
Available in one retail catalogue.

'Sungold' AGM (H2) 2007. Sent by and available from D T Brown & Co, Bury Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7PQ.
Fruit is shiny, orange-yellow and round; average size 3cm diameter, 2.7cm long; average weight of a single fruit 13.3g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced 120 ripe fruits, with around 22 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9.3% average sugar content.
Good yield of attractive round, golden-orange fruits. Good flavour.
Widely available.

'Sunset' AGM (H2) 2007, previous AGM (H3) 1998. Sent by and available from Mr Fothergill's Seeds, Gazeley Road, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7QB.
Fruit is shiny, orange-yellow and round; average size 3cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 13.9g. First picked 8 August. Average plant produced 165 ripe fruits, with around 33 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9.7% average sugar content.
Good yield of attractive golden-orange cherry tomatoes. Good, sweet flavour.
Available in one retail catalogue.

The following entries have been recommended for the AGM , but cannot receive the award until they are available to the public in retail catalogues. It is the responsibility of the sender to inform the Trials Office at Wisley that all queries have been resolved.

SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY:
'Cherrola' Sent by John Bertinat Seeds Ltd, Bankfield House, 39 Bure Way, Aylsham, Norfolk NR11 6HL.
Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3.2cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 18.1g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 157 ripe fruits, with around 27 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9% average sugar content
High yield, with attractive fruit well spaced on long trusses. Nice flavour.
Not yet available in retail.

'Extra Sweetie' Sent by Bakker Brothers, Oostelÿke Randweg 12, 1723 LH Noord-Scharwoude, Netherlands.
Fruit is shiny, red and slightly oval; average size 2.5cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 11.5g. First picked 31 July. Average plant produced a crop of 193 ripe fruits, with around 93 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 8.5% average sugar content
Good yield. Attractive, shiny, mini-cherry/grape tomatoes, with nice flavour.
Not yet available in retail.

'Pepe' Sent by Takii Europe B V, Hoofdweg 19, 1424 PC de Kwakel, Netherlands.
First picked 31 July. Fruit is shiny, red and round; average size 3cm diameter, 3cm long; average weight of a single fruit 15.4g. Average plant produced a crop of 165 ripe fruits, with around 31 fruits per truss. Brix-test result: 9% average sugar content.
High yield. Excellent flavour.
Not yet available in retail.

[Johnboy]

Hi Geoff,
Thank you for posting these two reports and I find this cultivation method very interesting.

Cultivation:The ground in the tunnel was conditioned using a crop of Caliente Mustard, which has been specially bred to have significant fumigant properties. This crop was sown in mid October, then watered and cut down in spring 2007 before being rotavated in and sealed under black polythene for two weeks. Once in contact with moist soil the chopped plant material breaks down to release biologically active compounds that help to suppress weeds, root rot, nematodes (eelworm) and Veritcillium wilt. Once the covers were removed, the soil was raked in ready for planting.

To me this is totally new and must find out all about Caliente Mustard. This must surely be of great value to just about anybody who reads it.

www.plantsolutionsltd.com/caliente2.htm

These gives quite a good write-up.
JB.

[Geoff]

Good follow up but I wonder if it wasn't being generated in this way would fumigation with isothiocyanate be acceptable? I think it is a fairly nasty chemical but I am having trouble finding a Material Data Sheet (a standard way of describing the hazards associated with any chemical) for it possibly because it is an incomplete name. Sounds like you need to sow it today if you are going to try it.

[John]

I think the compound you are looking for might be methyl isothiocyanate.

John

[Primrose]

Interesting information Geoff. Have only just got round to reading this. I like trying out new varieties with a small growing space I find myself relying mostly on reliable old favourites and just putting in one or two newcomers at a time. The main problem with tomatoes, in this case, is having to buy several (sometimes expensive) seed packets and only using perhaps one or two seeds at a time. Apart from the Seed Swap system, I've never found any catalogue which offers a way of just getting a couple of seeds of several different or unusual varieties. The only other way seems to be finding unusual varieties for sale in garden centres and just buying one single plant at a time. How do other people get round this problem?

[PLUMPUDDING]

Hi Primrose, The seed swap seems the best way of trying a few seeds of different varieties. I joined a seed swap with an American gardening site and have found some lovely varieties. I've about 40 different ones, let me know if you would like to try a few. Some of my favourites are Black Krim, Eva's Purple Ball, Cherokee Green and Early Cascade. This year apart from those I'm growing Abraham Lincoln, Sungold, Principe Bhorgese, Costoluto Fiorentino, a variety of cherry ones I've saved from a stray seedling and Kennilworth King George which was originally from the Heritage Seed Library. Oh and a lovely one from KG's seed swap, Double Rich.

[Primrose]

Plum Pudding - Gosh, you must be very organised to label up and remember which variety is which when you plant them all out. How many plants do you grow in total? I guess the interesting thing about trying different varieties, especially foreign ones, is finding out which seem to adapt to our climate and which ones are good for preserving, as well as eating. I've got all my tomatoes now sown for this season but perhaps next year if you've still got some spare I might take you up on your offer of a few Black Krim. Is that the one which originated from the Ukraine or Russia and is possibly suitable for colder climates?

[Geoff]

Plumpudding - have you grown Costoluto Fiorentino before? I am trying them this year and when I was potting them on today I thought what sturdy plants they had made.

[goldilox]

Hi All,
I grew Principe Borghese last year and they were delicious. Produced loads too. Also grew Long Keeper which I picked as soon as they started to turn colour and kept in boxes until ripe - they did take quite a while so extended the season a bit.

[PLUMPUDDING]

Hi Primrose, Goldilox and Geoff, Yes the Black Krim are from the Crimea (supposedly) and I'll certainly save you some seeds.

I sowed about 5 seeds of each, and more of the older seeds I wanted to grow for new seed to make sure I didn't lose them. So after I've two of each variety in the large greenhouse and some extras in the smaller one, some for the community allotment greenhouse and some for my friend I've got about 40 odd spare which I will either sell or plant out in the garden. I've just remembered one of my favourite cooking tomatoes is Cornu des Andes which I've also got a few of.

I got the Costoluto Fiorentino from a seed saving course I went on run by the Real Seed Company in Wales and thought I'd better sow them this year, so I haven't tried them yet. They have made nice sturdy plants, and I remember the tomatoes we saved the seed from looked a good size so I'm looking forward to eating them.

The Principe Bhorgese have also made very large sturdy plants. I can't wait to try them all. It will be a real treat after the watery shop ones.

[Johnboy]

Hi Plumpudding,
My fingers are crossed for you to have a totally blight free year. Of course this goes for everybody but when you are growing for seed it seems just that bit more important.
JB.

[PLUMPUDDING]

I don't want to tempt fate, but the family have been gardening here for the past 98 years and we've never had blight- neither have the plants. (By the way, I'm not 98, that includes my great grand parents, grand parents, parents and now me!) Oh dear, I think the wine I had with dinner has gone to my head.

[Elaine]

On the subject of tomatoes, I wonder if anyone can help. In 2007, I bought tomato seed from Unwins, called SONATO and they were absolutely brilliant. The flavour was out of this world and each truss held so much fruit, I had to support them. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find them since, nor did I think to save seed. I keep meaning to contact Unwins but, meanwhile, have any of you grown them before? Cheers.

[Primrose]

Whilst wandering through a garden centre yesterday amongst all the popular varieties I spotted three tomato plants labelled Black Russian. The label said they were a Heritage variety but when I enquired whether this this was another name for the Black Krim variety nobody knew. Can anybody clarify please?. I'm hoping so as I grabbed them, thinking I wouldn't otherwise have a chance to trial this variety this year. If I like them, will I be able to save the seeds for next year? The label didn't say whether it was an F1 variety.

[Primrose]

Forgot to add that I wanted to try it because I've read that Heritage varieties have a better taste than many modern varieties. Gardeners Delight is probably my best flavoured modern variety. Can anybody say how Black Russian measures up to that?