Topic: Dwarf Tomato Project

[Jayb]

I grew the first varieties released this season and was wowed over by them. I know a few others were growing some of these this year too, love to know how you found them?

They are not dinky windowsill cherry varieties but 3-4' high well suited to growing in pots. Taste is very good and despite not having a good summer they produced a fairly decent crop here. The latest varieties being released from the project are available from Tatiana's tomato site http://t.tatianastomatobase.com:88/wiki/Category:Tomato_Dwarf_Project

[galina]

Have just done a little bit of reading up on this tomato project.  At 3-4ft high these tomatoes must be much easier to grow under protection than the 6ft tall ones, which need a greenhouse or polytunnel.  A tall Geoff Hamilton cloche could house this type of tomato.  Or is it that they are meant to be pot grown, most likely on a patio with lots of warmth reflected and stored in house walls and patio slabs?  Is this part of their success?

When you said you were wowed by them, is it the flavour of the varieties, the yield relative to plant size or why?  Reading a bit about the varieties used for crosses, I wondered whether these tomatoes would be rather late.  Or is it the other way round, even mid to late season varieties mature earlier because there isn't so much tomato plant that has to be established and grown first before the flowering/fruiting can begin.

Yes please, it would be good to learn much more about these, especially how they work out in British climates and growing conditions.  Very interesting.

 

[Jayb]

I think having followed the projects progress for a while I was over the moon to finally be growing some of these newly created tomatoes. But it was kind of a stab in the dark, sometimes varieties get rave reviews but then when tried they are a big disappointment. Some of that will be due to personal taste preference and some to growing conditions. Again I’d no idea how they would perform in Wales. So I guess my wow is based on the overall how they taste, look, grew/health and harvest. I also like their character, they are real triers.

I grew mine in large pots but I think I underestimated the size of these dwarves and they would have benefited by being in bigger pots again. They produce a lot of leaf and I did prune some of the lower branches a bit.  Next year I’m going to try a row planted in open ground, some direct planted in the polytunnel and some in large containers in a sheltered spot outdoors. Overall for their size I think they produced well, coupled with the ease they can be grown, I think they will really suit some people. I'm going to do a couple for my Aunt to grow on her patio next year.

You are right, not particularly early varieties, I think they are classed as midseason. Slower than some of the bush types but do go on to produce good size, well flavoured tomatoes over the season. Flavour wise I might be a bit biased as I really like GWR and there were 4 greens. Least favourite was Rosella Purple, flavour was ok but texture was not quite right. Interestingly although Dwarf Mr Snow is white, well more a pale yellow when ripe, flavour is very good and one I’m planning on growing again next year.

Two varieties have been added to the seed circle Dwarf Mr Snow and Tasmanian Chocolate, both I think are well worth trying.

[the_snail]

Where can we get the seed from to try these. I luv tomatoes :)

[Jayb]

The link in the first post is for Tatiana's tomato base, which is a fantastic resource for looking up tomato varieties and where they may be available although these are mainly located the other side of the pond. She also sells a wide selection of varieties including some of these Dwarf varieties, I've ordered seeds from her on several occasions and have always found her and the seeds top notch  :)

Or you can send me a SAE I'll pop some seeds in for you to try.

[goodlife]

I had good year with growing drawfs..but none of the 'project' varieties. I'm getting to like them more and more...so useful 'gap' fillers.
I planted mine into LARGE pots or buckets which were easy to keep moving about where ever there was space available at the time. And it is so nice to get decent size tomatoes from such a 'small' plants..they are ideal for those plastic 'tent' type mini GH..where normal bush tomatoes are still too big.
I'm looking forward to try some new ones... ;D I do admit I've been shopping for drawfs and other 'smaller' types for while now..variety at the time..from here and there.. ;D
Roll on next summer..my buckets are empty and waiting..