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TomatoFest seeds, disease resistance questions

14 years ago

This is my first year w/TF seeds, and I'm anxious to see results. I'm late in getting them started; they've only been out for about 2 weeks or so.

My question is: If I chose certain varieties that didn't necessarily SAY they were disease-resistant, am I just ASKING for trouble? I'm in NH, so not sure which diseases might even be regional, but figured I'd ask, anyway.

This is the list that I have:

Early Wonder Tomato

Gardener's Delight Tomato

Grape Tomato

Ildi Tomato

Ace 55 Tomato

Alicante Heirloom Tomato

Black Cherry Tomato

Grape & Black Cherry are the only two that touted "disease resistant" qualities. The others, I'm nearly embarrased to say, I fell hard for a mouth-watering description.

Any experience with these varieties?

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Comments (4)

remy_gw
14 years ago
Hi,
No you need not worry about whether or not they are disease resistant. Most of the disease that tomatoes are resistant to are not very important to the average home gardener. They are bacterial and viral. There are some places down south known to have some problems so down there it is important to know the local problems, but most places it actually doesn't matter.
Most diseases that people in home gardens get are Fungal. Early Blight, Late Blight, Septoria, etc. There are no truly resistant varieties. These disease are not on the list of disease you see listed after tomato descriptions.
Fungal diseases need the proper weather condtions to thrive. Last year, Late Blight which is the worst hit many people in the northeast. The weather was cold and damp for a long period. Late Blight causes what looks like actual fuzzy mold on plants and black lesions. Plants will die very very fast. There is no cure. If affect plants are removed quickly, you might be able to save some other plants especially if the weather takes a turn for the better. Thankfully, Late Blight is not a common occurance. It also need live material to over winter. So one year of Late Blight does not mean you can't grow tomatoes again.
Early Blight is more common. It occurs in humid weather. Leaves get oyster shell looking lesions and then the leaves yellow eventually falling off. Some tomatoes can out grow it. Less vigorous varieties can die. It can be controlled with fungicides. I use copper fungicide when needed. Some people use daconil, and I'm sure there are other choices. Good air circulation helps keep it under control and since Early Blight spores can overwinter, good fall clean up is important.
I hope that helps,
Remy
mmqchdygg
Original Author
14 years ago
THANK YOU, Remy!
That was an informative response; very much appreciated.
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talonstorm
14 years ago
If you are going to rule any out, I would ditch the Ace 55. I tried them last year and got very few fruit and the plants just looked crappy no matter what I did. We had a very wet summer which I am sure didn't help much, but most of the other 3 varieties I planted did ok (some thrived, even).
remy_gw
14 years ago
MM,
You're welcome :)
Remy

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