'Bush Champion' tomatoes - look nice, zero flavor!

15 years ago

I've been growing tomatoes here in Western MA for many years, some in the garden, some in containers on the patio. I have several favorite varieties that I plant every year, but each year I always try at least 2 new varieties. This year I planted 'Bush Champion' for the first time, in a container. The plant looks fine, although a bit small, and is producing a decent number of tomatoes. We've had a wet summer here, and all my tomatoes are ripening slower than normal. I finally got two ripe tomatoes off the Bush Champion this week, and I couldn't believe how terrible the quality of the fruit was. The tomatoes looked nice, but they were dry, mealy, and tasteless - exactly like those awful supermarket tomatoes you're forced to buy in the dead of winter. Not fit to eat. Having never grown this variety before, I don't know what to think.

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Comments (4)

sassymesclunsalad
15 years ago
Here is what you should think. You grew a variety that looks better then it tastes. Now start looking for varieties that have reputation for good taste instead of good looks. As a final note do not grow 'Bush Champion' again. Since your description is as good as it gets.

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digdirt2
15 years ago
Taste can be affected by so many things - weather, growing conditions, soil, fertilizer, watering, etc. I'd never write off any variety based on 1 experience with them but that's just me.

We have grown Champion, both bush and determinate plants, several years, seldom been disappointed in either the taste or the production plus they have a good deal of disease resistance. Good seller at the farmer's market too. Not saying they are one of the greatest tomatoes but far from the worst too. ;)

Dave
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rnewste
15 years ago
deb,

I had a similar experience this year trying Extreme Bush for the first time. Prolific and pretty - - but tasteless to me. I just finished a turkey sandwich a few minutes ago topped off with my first WES oxheart tomato. What a wonderful taste - - will definitely grow again next year. Carolyn had recommended it to me earlier this year, and now I know why she likes it!

It's kind of funny that my favorites are relatively unknown varieties: Goose Creek, Earl's Faux, Ed's Millennium, Indian Stripe - - you can't find seeds at too many places. The only Hybrids that I continue to grow year after year are Dona and Carmello. I'm done growing anything that has a "Bush" name in it (NOT a political commentary).......

Raybo
dtom
15 years ago
I'm glad you posted this as I just got Bush Champion and was gonna try it in a container.
Unless I am feeling experimental, I won't waste my efforts.

It has been my experience that container gardening is vastly over-rated. Esp. with tomatoes. Unless you are going with a cherry or grape variety, any I have tried have been mealy and flavorless.
Same variety in the ground=much better results.
(Of course, size of pot, heat and soil are important variable that affect results.)

Champion is just about our favorite, and the only one I will plant this year. (We have a 9 month old puppy and I won't be trying to do too much gardening this year LOL.)

'Bush Champion' tomatoes - look nice, zero flavor!

Comments (4)

sassymesclunsalad

digdirt2

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