My first attempt at growing tomatoes has been a great success.

15 years ago

My plants (Super Beefsteaks) are over 9 feet tall and producing an incredible amount of fruit. The tomatoes have varied in size, from billiard ball size to softball size.

20% Softball size

20% Billiard ball size

60% Baseball Size

The only major problem I had was tomato cracking, but, I fixed that problem by picking the fruit before they have fully ripened and let it finish ripening on the counter. After changing my harvesting method I noticed no change in flavor, so, for those of you curious if you need to leave on plant until they are fully ripe, here is your answer.

The taste and texture of my tomatoes are wonderful. However, I wanted to ask a question. I noticed none of you guys have ever mentioned planting Beefsteaks. Why is this? Is Beefsteak an over hyped 'pop' tomato? Are there other kinds I should try next year? I grew my tomatoes from seed and have a bunch left over. Can I use these seeds next season or do I need to buy more seeds even if I want to grow the same type? Anyway, I have given away over a dozen tomatoes and still have about 30 on the counter top, with many more that will be ready to pick soon (I have 5 plants). As you can see, I am very proud of myself. lol I hope it wasn't beginners luck. :)

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Comments (3)

tomatogreenthumb
15 years ago
Sounds like you are having a great tomato growing year:)
Keep up the good work!

My two favorite "beefstakes" are Supersteak (a hybrid) and Red Mortgage Lifter (an OP). They are both quite flavorful.

Here is a pic. of a 26 ounce Red Mortage Lifter that I picked yesterday.
naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan
15 years ago
If you keep your seeds dry and at moderate temperatures they should survive for several years. Heat and moisture are seed killlers. I try to only take seeds I am going to plant that day outside....usually the tomato seeds never go outside since I start them inside and grow transplants under light. If I only need part of a packet that is all that goes outside in the higher humidity and heat. If you want, you can store seeds in the refrigerator in a a well sealed plastic bag or storage container. I have stored some like that for over ten years and it still germinates well. I think it is amazing that something so small can survive so long and then grow into a huge plant that overwhelms me with tomatoes!

Many people who post here enjoy growing open pollinated heirloom tomatoes. Many feel they have better taste and texture. If you like what you have, you could grow them again next year and perhaps also try a plant of one or two other varieties to check out different tastes. I like most all I try......not a very discerning taster, I guess.
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Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
15 years ago
Yes...You did good!

I wanted to ask a question. I noticed none of you guys have ever mentioned planting Beefsteaks. Why is this? Is Beefsteak an over hyped 'pop' tomato?

While there is a variety of tomato named Beefsteak, there are numerous other beefsteak tomatoes. Beefsteak is a term used to describe the shape of a tomato, just as a lot of little tomatoes varieties are called cherry tomatoes.

Though you may not read of many folks growing Beefsteaks, they are indeed growing beefsteak shaped tomatoes.

Beefsteak Tomato at Wikipedia

If you scan through the list of tomatoes Here you will see that there are many with beefsteak in the description. You will likely recognize some that have been mentioned here as being grown.

With maybe 10,000 varieties of tomatoes, many of us have at some time or another grown the named variety Beefsteak, but have since moved on to trying so many more of the 10,000 varieties available.

Are there other kinds I should try next year?
Undoubtedly there are...just keep reading and you will likely read of numerous ones you might like to try.
Then you can mosey over to the Seed Exchange, (or the Exchange page here at this forum) make a post there, and trade off some of your Commercially bought Beefsteak for some other varieties.

So many tomatoes...so little time and energy.

Sue

My first attempt at growing tomatoes has been a great success.

Comments (3)

tomatogreenthumb

naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan

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Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

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