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

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... :-\

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

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 :)

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

This is my last year with them.

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.

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

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! ::)

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

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!

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

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 ;)

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

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`

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.   :)