Hab,

I grew a Brandywine last year from seed packaged by Livingston Seed Co., Columbus, Ohio, that produced about 30 nice tomatoes that ripened from 105 - 115 days past transplant.

The plant went out into the garden on April 9, 2006 and the first tomato ripened the third week in July. Since we had a rather hot spell generally from late June to late July, very few blossoms set during that time, and the plant looked rather peaked by the second week of August, so I took it out.

That plants performance was almost exactly mirrored by an Earl Faux plant that grew right next to it. So, from that single experience growing those two particular Brandywine tomatoes from seed, I'd say they are capable of doing well in Zone 6b if set out early and have a chance to set blossoms before the temps get above 92*F daytime/80*F night. This is surely not a very scientific observation as I haven't grown a lot of "Brandywine" type tomatoes and tend to look for types that tolerate heat a bit better and don't take so darn long to ripen.

Bill

I grow the Sudduth strain. Seeds from Johnny's. I get very good production. Maybe 25 to 35 fruit per plant. I only had one low production year in about 13 years. I never prune. It's about an 80 DTM for me. Plants are huge. About 8 feet tall now. It is my favorite tasting variety.

I'm not sure what total production would be. Do you count the ones that aren't ripe by frost time? Because of the frost thing, I top off my vines on August first, no point letting the plant make a bunch of tomatoes that aren't gonna be big enough even to bring inside before the cold gets 'em.

I have far too much shade and I'm pretty happy if I get a dozen or fifteen fruits per plant, maybe six of those are the big, perfect beefsteaks. I lose some to BER (furiously knocking wood, none of that so far this year) and my lack of sunshine doesn't help at all, but the taste is so good I grow them anyway.

I put mine in during the last full week in May and if I see my first big ripe one by the middle of August I'll be thrilled. Right now the first clusters are full sized and mature green, but no real sign of coloring. Sigh. Such a long wait. 85 days is too much!

For me total production means the ones that ripen.

I'm getting very good production from my Brandywines. About 1 fully ripe tomato every 3rd day per plant and I have 3. Probably cause they are in great raised bed soil, but I sure am loving it.

And on the off days, I have Cherokee Purples. Not much of a loss and a nice slight change of taste.

Due to weather conditions here in the PNW I have 9 nice looking BWs all of which are on the bottom one third of the plant.

Weather here has been fantastic 80-90. I have four BW's and they are 6-9 feet tall with 20-30 large to extra large fruit on them. I'm really happy with them. I have only ate one so far, but it was good, kinda of early but good.

My BW is only 4.5-5ft tall. Thats the PNW weather this year, IMO

My first year growing 2 BW (Burpee's Heirlooms Brandywine "pink"). They did not set fruit until mid July, but set more than 2-3 dozen on one plant, and maybe only 10 on the other, which was pruned much more. The good thing is they are growing quickly. A few have BER or excessive scarring/imperfections. Anyway, I have never tasted a BW, and hope at least one is ripe before the end of August.

My alledged Brandywine has Potato leaves as well but the fruit is perfectly smooth with no ribs/ridges at all. Is it possible I haven't got a BW?

My Brandywines always have some cracks and surface scars, but it is possible you just have a really good growing condition for them this year.

If they taste great and have the complexity of flavor that a Brandywine should, relax and enjoy it. And maybe you should save the seeds from a few... :)

Or maybe you have a very good cross, in which case you should REALLY save the seeds! And share them. I volunteer to be a test garden next year... ;)

Seriously, every well-regarded heirloom came from some cross or adaptation. Maybe you have a new one that will be famous some day.

Here it is 10 August and my BW has began setting fruit,8 ea,at the top of the plant and will have no chance of ripening. The 9 on the bottom are beginning to show a little blush. What a year. Looks like I will get 7 ripe NAR and 2 delicious along with 9 BWs . Next year Short season tomato's and productivity is a Priority.

I just picked my 24th fruit off BP today and then whacked the plant as it had so much blight it was irreversible. Twenty-four is the best I've ever done with Brandywine Pink, and there were no more developing fruits on it, so time for it to make an exit. Better airflow now to my Aunt Gertie's, that's what I say.

habman, It's my 1st year for brandywine pink as well.Matter of fact, it's my 1st year for any heirloom. This is my 2nd brandywine pink taken from my first of 2 plants.I've read on here that brandy's are a little tricky to set fruit,but thanks to a few ardent bumble bees I've got about 8-9 per plant so you are doing better than I.

Here is a link that might be useful: Brandywine pink

1st year too. I have 4 plants and more BW's than I can eat. Plants are producing better than I thought they would.

Excellent Brandy pics sprtsguy!