Cherokee purple ????

Why does it need to be an heirloom?

Hi, I am a newb to tomato growing myself.

1st it sounds like you want a "indeterminate" type of tomato plant. Once the continues to vine and bears fruit all season. As opposed to a "determinate" variety, where all the fruit matures in a relativly short time frame. ...so atay aware of those differences when making your selections .

This spring I bought seeds from a online seller ( tomatofest ) and I am have very good results for my money. About $3.00 for a pak of seeds and I am getting about 80% germination rate. I looked on his webiste and he ship to many countries outside the US. Hope this info helps and take a look at the site ( I've got a link to it below ).

I am sure there are many other reliable websites to purchase from, this is the 1st one i;ve tried an am quiet happy...good luck

Here is a link that might be useful: Tomatofest Tomato Seeds

Given those conditions, anything other than a cherry variety is going to give more frustration than tomatoes. Cherokee purple will be very very difficult. Mine shut down totally at 95+, although they do resume production when it cools down.

I would settle for a hybrid cherry variety like sweet 100. Its your best bet in those conditions.

With those kind of temps, I might suggest a Porter. They are not known for great flavor but they can handle 100 degrees and still produce and can handle intense sun. Also, might try a Stupice which is early and handles heat fairly well. Early Girl is not an heirloom but grown widely here in Texas because it can take the heat and matures fast enough.

With those kind of temps, I would guess you might be able to start a little earlier than we do in the US and maybe get a crop by the time the temp heats up too much. You might also have a chance in the fall where your temps might stay warm enough overnight to ripen.

But you are going to need early varieties. Once your temps get over 95, your tomato growing is going to be done.

I'd recommend you try Sioux. It has great taste, is a heavy producer, and is supposed to produce in high heat. Seeds are available from Tatiana's Tomatobase and Tomato Growers Supply. Both of them are excellent seed sources. Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Tatiana's

Thank you all for the followup, I just thought I wanted to get into heirloom tomatoes as a hobby but looks like it would be hard with the weather conditions here. I will try out the ones you mentioned out of curiosity.

The reason I wanted heirloom is because my family is a big lover of tomatoes and I just wanted to surprise them with something different since I have a lot of unused space with great soil.

Our growing conditions are almost identical, Monkey. Sioux is a great choice for you. In a big container it grows to about 4 ft tall. I don't know how it would do in the ground.

Baker Creek Heirlooms also carries some tomatoes that have come to the states from the mid-east, but the only name I remember is Iraqi Heart.

Jan

Here is a link that might be useful: Baker Creek

Oh I'm not looking for middle eastern varieties, I'm looking for something different to try. I have a relative in the states who would be able to forward any seeds I purchase to me.

From what I read about Sioux, it looks like the thing I'm looking for. I'm also wondering if I go for partial shade or grow in a container that I would move in when the sun gets too hot would I have a better chance at growing more varieties?

It, like all the tomatoes is happier if you can grow it in a spot that gets morning sun and afternoon, but I threw a light shade cloth on it in the REALLY hot stretch.

If you decide to grow in a container, you have the advantage of being able to blend a moisture retaining soiless potting mix which will help to avoid any soil-born disease issues. And maybe the dog won't get the cage!

What else do you grow there?

Jan