Topic: Costiluto Fiorentino

[shirlton]

Almost every plants first fruit is really badly deformed. The following fruits are ribbed as they should be 

[Deb P]

The fruits can be really deeply ribbed on this variety, so much so I had some going mouldy between the 'ribs' before they were picked last year!

It also has the habit of throwing up a blind leader shoot, which means you are stuck if you methodically pinch out sideshoots........... >:(

Overall I wasn't that impressed all round so am not growing this year... :-\

[shirlton]

In the past 2 years they have been lovely. May be cos I used my own saved seed I dunno

[cleo]

May be cos I used my own saved seed I dunno

That would not be the reason-they come `true` from seed,but true also means fairly variable in shape.

I haven`t grown them for about 4 seasons now-there are just too many varieties to try :)

[shirlton]

Have either of you found a tomato that is as big and equally as tasty as the Costiluto

[tim]

This is my last year with them.

[Bjerreby]

Shirlton,

I am confused why anyone would try to grow Italian varieties in the UK. I know Italy is long north / south, but everywhere the climate and seasons are different to the UK. Their stuff doesn't like our climate, including their spinach.

[shirlton]

The tomato does do well enough for us. I was just wondering why the first fruit was so deformed.

[Deb P]

I'm guessing the first fruit was deformed due to inadequate pollination, some of the big fruit do that occasionally. As for a tasty type, I like Legend, growing it for the second time ( indoors this time) was impressed last year but had to ripen it in the shed as blight caught the lot outdoors! ::)

[Squashfan]

I've done all right with the Russian/Ukrainian varieties outside on our plot. They seem to like the weather...

[electric landlady]

I'm growing Costiluto Fiorentino for the first time this year (outside) - they seem to be loving it. In fact they are overtaking all my other types and scaring me slightly with their triffid-like qualities.

They seem to throw out a lot more huge and vigorous sideshoots than other varieties, and some of the plants seem more determinate than others...confusing!

[shirlton]

I must agree they are weird alright. Still lovely to eat

[cleo]

Have either of you found a tomato that is as big and equally as tasty as the Costiluto

Brandywine,Caspian Pink,Black from Tula,Black Sea Man,Prudens Purple ,Crnkovich---it goes on.

New to me this year are Rose and Mortgage lifter.

Hello my name is Cleo and I`m an addict ;)

[shirlton]

Which of that lot do you most like flavourwise that is?

[cleo]

Which of that lot do you most like flavourwise that is?

Give me another 10 years and I might be able to answer that-always in search of perfection.

Although I`m not growing it this year if I had a gun to my head and had to suggest just one for you to try next year it would be `Caspian Pink`

[Barnowl]

I've given up on the Costoluto as well.  Particularly prone to BER (although I know that's mainly my fault) and too high a proportion of weird fruit. Now wondering if I should try growing it as a bush and not pinch out to begin with.   :)